He’s giving me an out. I have no idea why, but I take it with a squeeze of his hand in appreciation. “Natalie will be right here.”
“You’re not helping me?” Annalise’s bottom lip juts out in a pout.
“Kate must have a million things on her plate, darling.” Myles drops my hand to run his finger over Annalise’s lip. “Natalie will help us. Besides, I see your dream dress right over there.”
“Where?” Annalise’s head snaps to the left and then the right.
Myles guides her chin to the center of the boutique. “Over there. That’s the dress from Kate’s website.”
Annalise takes off in the direction of the vintage Chanel gown that’s been sitting in a glass showcase for more than a year. The price tag is too steep for most of Manhattan, but a picture of it on the front page of my website lures brides-to-be through the door.
“Let’s go, Gage.” Myles’s voice resonates behind me.
I don’t turn around.
There’s no need for me to steal another glance at the man I once loved. I can draw from memory every inch of his handsome face. I can still smell the scent of his skin when I close my eyes, just as I can hear the ache in the growl he makes when he orgasms.
Gage Burke was once as much a part of me as my beating heart.
He’s not anymore. He never will be again.
Chapter 3
Gage
Kate Wesley.
My Katie Wesley.
I stare at her back as she walks out of the showroom, disappearing down a long corridor.
I followed Myles to this bridal shop today out of a sense of duty.
He asked me to be his best man the day after he proposed to Annalise. That was two months after he sat down on a barstool and poured his heart out to me.
I returned the favor by telling him about Katie.
When drowning his sorrow in beer stopped working, he looked to Annalise to help him forget the woman who had loved and left him.
It’s worked out well for him.
I yank on the tie around my neck.
I can’t remember the last time I wore a tie or a suit, for that matter.
The one on my back is courtesy of Myles. He took me to his tailor three weeks ago to get fitted for this.
I pulled out my credit card, but Myles insisted that it was on his dime. I scoffed, but he’s sparing no expense on this wedding so I’ll arrange a bachelor party he won’t soon forget.
The knot loosens and I breathe a sigh of relief.
I have no idea if the tie is what’s suffocating me or if seeing Katie is forcing all the air out of my lungs.
I finally break the tie’s grip on my neck enough that I can undo the top button of my shirt.
I’m a walking mannequin at the moment since Annalise has to sign off on what I’m wearing.
I’ll put on the suit one more time on the day of their wedding. After that, I’ll hand it off to someone who needs it more than I do.