Marx Girl

He smiles a slow, sexy smile and steps toward me. “Really?”

I nod nervously and fold my arms in front of me. “Really. I have a boyfriend,” I spit.

He steps forward again until his body is towering over mine, and he bends and leans in to whisper in my ear. “Bring him to me. We need to meet.”

2

Bridget

“‘Bring him to me’?” I repeat with a raised brow. Is he kidding me? “What are you, Henry VIII now?” Unable to help it, I smirk. “What are you going to do, Ben? Behead him?”

His eyes hold mine for an extended moment. “Possibly.” He must realize how ridiculous he just sounded because he smiles sexily. “It’s tempting.”

Our eyes lock and a ripple of electricity zaps in the air between us.

Cut it out.

Silence hangs, but he finally breaks it. “It’s good to see you, Didge. I’ve thought of you often.”

My eyes search his. I get a lump of regret in my throat and I just want to shake him for putting me through hell.

I force a smile. “You, too.”

I don’t mean it. Seeing him only makes it hurt that little bit more, knowing we didn’t work out. Unfortunately, I wasn’t imagining the chemistry we had. I always had hoped that maybe it had been a dream. I thought that if we ever saw each other again it would be like seeing an old friend in the street—I would feel nothing and be happy that I had moved on and made a life without him.

That’s not even close to the truth, though. I feel mad, hurt, and it feels like only yesterday that he left me without a care in the world.

Time has changed nothing. In fact, everything feels magnified.

Damn it!

You’re an idiot, Bridget. Stop it. It doesn’t matter; it’s in the past.

He hesitates for a moment, as if wanting to say something. I feel like I do, too, but I don’t know what. I mean, there obviously isn’t anything to say.

So many things have changed since he left, but one thing sure hasn’t: that feeling of affection between us. I just want to wrap my arms around him and tell him I missed him. I frown; the magnetic pull to him is weird… and strong. So strong.

Snap out of it, stupid.

He’s an asshole.

“Here you go.” The bartender smiles as he hands over the tray of margaritas. I smile, pay, and lift the tray to turn back toward Ben. “I’ll see you back at the table?” I ask.

He nods once, clearly distracted, and I make my way through the crowd with my heart hammering in my chest.

Fucking hell. Calm down, I try to tell myself. It’s okay. Just because he’s here doesn’t mean anything.

Stop overreacting, Bridget.

I place the tray on the table and fall into my seat between Tash and Abbie, passing them their drinks. Cameron is telling a story, and everyone is listening attentively, laughing when appropriate, and I find myself looking around the table with a broad smile on my face. I’m here with my favourite people in the whole world tonight. Tash and Josh, Cam, Adrian and Abbie—it doesn’t get better than this. With Cam, Adrian, Josh, and Tash all living in the States, the times when we get together are sacred.

My people. My favourite people.

Adrian reaches over, takes my hand, and squeezes it reassuringly. My beautiful Adrian.

When he broke up with his boyfriend, Nicholas, and I broke up with Ben all those years ago, we became very close. We even lived together for six months in L.A. when I moved in with him. We speak daily, and he’s such a blessing in my life. He knows that I’ll be rattled from seeing Ben. I don’t have to tell him what I’m thinking… he just knows.

I wonder if Tash knew Ben was coming. Why didn’t she say anything?

My question is answered when Natasha’s mouth drops open in shock as Ben approaches the table. “Ben!” she shrieks, standing up in excitement.

Abbie’s eyes widen, and she snaps them to me. I fake a smile… one that says, Oh, I know.

Natasha and Abbie both stand, and Ben grabs them in an embrace.

“Oh, my God, it’s so good to see you.” Tash smiles into Ben’s shoulder.

“It’s been too long,” Ben replies as his eyes find me across the table. He turns and kisses Abbie.

“Hey, Abs.” He smiles. “Still hot,” he teases.

“You know it, big boy.” She smiles as she kisses him on the cheek.

He takes his seat next to Joshua, and all eyes fall on him.

“Joshua. Why didn’t you tell me Ben was coming?” Natasha asks excitedly.

“Because I didn’t know.” Joshua smirks. “Sneaky bastard didn’t tell anyone but Wilson.”

“Why not?” Abbie asks.

Ben’s eyes find mine again. “I thought I would surprise you all.”

“Surprise!” Tash and Abbie laugh in unison.

“Where have you been since I saw you last?” Cameron asks Ben.