There’s a sick feeling swimming around the pit of my stomach as Preston and I stare each other down. He was my first love—hell, my first lover—but up until thirty seconds ago, I never thought I’d see him again. I mean, sure, he’s from Nashville too, but it’s a big city. We don’t even travel in the same circle of friends.
And yet, my mother conveniently managed to run into him at the store when the only groceries I’ve seen her buy since she came home are mixers for her drinks and cigarettes.
As if on cue, a smile splits his face, and he takes a step closer toward the kitchen. “Sienna. You look just like—”
I shove past my brother, holding up my hand. “What are you doing here?” I cast an anxious glance at the living room entry, and I’m thankful the volume of the football game is turned on high. “We agreed never to see each other again.”
He runs his hand sheepishly over his short black hair and shrugs, his expression giving me a clear view of his dimples. When I was in high school, that look was my downfall, and I was always eager to please him. Now, I don’t feel a thing other than irritation as I stand beneath the bright, multicolored lights decorating the foyer, jabbing my tongue in my cheek. “Preston?”
“I’ve been talking to your mom lately and she brought up Christmas. When she asked me what I was doing, I thought about all the good times we used to have together. Remember that year in New York?” When I nod lamely, he continues, “It made me think. What if I hadn’t been such a dick, if maybe—”
“You know I’m engaged, right?” When he nods slowly, I carve my fingers through my red hair then wring my hands together. “You didn’t think my fiancé might be around? You know, since it’s Christmas Eve and engaged people usually spend the holidays together.”
“Your mom said he was in Atlanta, so I figured I had a good shot.”
My mom said. Why am I not surprised?
“Well, that’s because she’s a liar,” I snap. A thought hits me like a ton of bricks, and I cross my arms over my chest and release an outraged breath. “And even if he was in Atlanta, that wouldn’t give you a shot at a damn—”
“Lucas Wolfe is here now?” He looks impressed, and I roll my eyes. “Damn, Sienna. You were always good, but for you to get a rockstar in your—”
“You might want to cut yourself off right there before I’m forced to give you your own fucking teeth as a Christmas gift.”
Preston and I whip around at the same time to see Lucas leaning against the doorframe, his broad shoulders taut and his stance wide. I’m not fooled by the sardonic smile twisting his lips. This situation is not amusing to him whatsoever. His hazel eyes are cold and hard, and as he moves his gaze from Preston to me, I clear my throat.
“Lucas Wolfe, this is Preston Lewis.”
“Preston,” Lucas repeats, both syllables drawn out in low growl.
“My mom invited him to join us for lunch,” I add through clenched teeth. I shoot a glare at the kitchen. God knows what Mom is in the kitchen telling Shannon Wolfe at this very moment. “Preston and I … we dated briefly.”
“If briefly means all through high school and college,” he corrects me, leaning forward to shake Lucas’s hand. My fiancé stares at it for a moment before pushing away from the doorway to come stand behind me. His hand on my hip is comforting, but I’m still shaking. How could my mom do this to me? I was seconds from thinking she’d let this day happen without any bull and then she had to go and shit all over it before we even started.
The only thing that could make this worse is if one of Lucas’ one-night stands—or worse, Cilla Craig—showed up.
Shuddering, I tune back into the conversation just in time to hear Lucas telling Preston. “Whether you stay or not, Sienna’s mine. That shit ain’t changing. “
“Maybe, but just remember—”
“Preston Lewis! What a surprise to see you here,” Gram speaks up.
This time, I’m thankful for my grandmother’s intrusion, because I can already guess the next words to come from Preston’s mouth: Just remember I banged her first.
And that is the last thing Lucas needs to hear with his parents in my house.
I shoot Gram an appreciative look, noticing the way her blue eyes narrow at my ex-boyfriend. When she flicks a questioning stare at me, I mouth, “Rebecca.”
Her lips thin into a disapproving line. And then, because she doesn’t have it in her to be rude to anyone, she smiles at him. “Come on, we better go to the dining room.” Turning to look over her shoulder, she teasingly tells Lucas’s dad, “Danny, might as well have some food to get ready for that loss.”
My grandmother and ex disappear into the dining room with Mr. Wolfe following a few seconds behind them. He’s grinning broadly and shaking his head. “Your grandma is—” He freezes and looks between Lucas and me, his brows tugging together. “Is everything alright?”
“It’s fine,” Lucas promises, but his smile is tight. “Give us a few?”
Mr. Wolfe nods, and once he’s out of sight, out of earshot, I let my shoulders sag and slowly turn toward him. I stare down at the floor, squeezing my eyes together to stop the tears burning the corners. “Whenever I think she’s not going to do something else crazy, she pulls something like this. Why in the world would she ask him here? And why would he even come?”
“Oh, Red.” He releases a breath, and I feel his strong hands on my shoulders. “Look at me.” When I don’t, he kisses me hard, not pulling away until I’m winded and dizzy. “If you could only see yourself the way I do, you’d know why she likes to fuck with you, why he was dumb enough to bring his ass here when he knows that you’ve moved on.”
“And what reason would that be?” I whisper.
He strokes his fingers over my shoulder before cupping the back of my neck. With his other hand, he feathers his thumb across my cheek. “You shine, Red. People do crazy things simply to be around you. Trust me, I know—I’m one of them. Your grandmother loves you and that threatens Rebecca. You’re with me, and that dumb shit Parker—”
“Preston,” I correct, laughing, and he kisses me again.
“Preston, Parker, what-the-fuck-ever. He’s threatened by the thought of you being with someone else. And you’re with me, Sienna. There’s no fucking way I’m letting you go ‘cause of a little prick like that.” Drawing away from me, he skims his fingers down my arm and takes my hand. He starts to tug me toward the dining room, but I shake my head.
“About what?”
“Preston. It’s been years since we were together.”
Now it’s his turn to laugh—a sound that breaks through the panic still rattling around in my chest. “Damn, Red. Haven’t you figured out by now that you’re worth fighting for?”