Chapter Four
Chance
“Are you almost ready?” I hollered to Becca from inside of my closet. I stared in the mirror and adjusted my tie as Becca touched up her make-up. “We’re supposed to pick up Jeremy and Courtney in twenty minutes.”
“I’ll be ready, don’t you worry.” Becca walked into the closet and straightened my tie as she gently kissed me on the lips. “It’s been so long since I’ve had a chance to catch up with her. We’ve all been so busy.”
I tossed on my jacket and gave myself a final look in the mirror. “I’m sure. I’m glad Jeremy was able to get things wrapped up at the restaurant and lend a hand at the last minute on the opening.”
It amazed me how everything had just seemed to come together in the last few weeks. I had spoken to Dad just about every day since he left, and despite everything that happened, I was looking forward to him coming back to the city for the event. I had decided I just couldn’t hold a grudge for what had happened between Sara and him. While I did blame him for what initially happened, I was angrier that he had kept the secret for so long to spare my feelings. He genuinely thought I had loved her and didn’t want to hurt me. That may have been true initially. Regardless, I put the Sara incident behind me, for good. It had been almost a full month and a half since we had broken up, and now that I’d met Becca, I couldn’t imagine being happier.
I stepped out of the closet into the large bathroom and looked at Becca staring at herself in the vanity. I moved in behind her and wrapped my arms around her waist as I kissed her neck. “You look stunning tonight.” I squeezed her tightly as I pulled her ass against me. I felt myself growing hard as she smiled in the mirror and leaned her neck into my kiss.
“Later, sweetie. Remember, we only have twenty minutes before we have to pick them up?” Becca giggled. “I’ll make it up to you later, I promise.”
I groaned as I pulled away and adjusted myself. “I know, I know. Damn dinner dates with friends.” I laughed.
Tonight was as much of a dinner date as it was a celebration that the opening was in only a few days. Jeremy and I had a great working relationship, but when I learned that he was engaged to Becca’s friend, Courtney, we grew to be slightly better friends.
Jeremy and I had plenty to talk about. We both enjoyed every aspect of our jobs and we couldn’t help but discuss work and the upcoming weekend. The girls caught up on everything else and it was great to see Becca in her element with her friend. I hadn’t really seen that since Vegas. I kept my eyes fixated on her as Jeremy and I talked in the back of the limo. Becca was gorgeous. Everything about her drove me wild. Her long, tanned legs accentuated her dress and I remembered how smooth they felt just a few hours earlier when I had flirted with her while getting dressed. Tonight there was a sexual tension between the two of us like we hadn’t felt in a while. It was probably because the stress of the project was finally winding down.
Becca caught me staring and smiled back as she ran her hand down her leg, obviously flirting with me. I had to turn my attention away before things got out of hand. I smiled back and continued my conversation with Jeremy.
I had made dinner reservations at O’ver and had been looking forward to them all week. Finally, dinner with friends in a relaxed environment.
“So Becca…” Courtney asked after she sipped her glass of wine. “What did you get Melissa for her wedding? You did get it already, didn’t you?” Courtney giggled. “I know how you are with gifts and waiting to the last minute.”
“Of course I did!” Becca laughed. “I actually picked it up last month. I’m not telling you what I got her…I wouldn’t want you to try and compete with me.” She giggled.
Jeremy rolled his eyes and smirked at me. “It’s all I’ve heard about for the last month and it’s gotten worse.”
“Well, what do you expect?” Courtney pouted her lips at Jeremy. “It should be me that’s been planning a wedding. We’ve been engaged forever…I can at least get excited for Melissa,” Courtney snapped back.
“Uh oh,” I chuckled at Jeremy as he shot me a look that told me he was getting into trouble quickly. “I actually forgot about the wedding. Becca hasn’t really said much about it. When is it? A few weeks from now, isn’t it?”
“Um, No. This Saturday.” Courtney shot Becca a confused look. “How does he not know this?”
I looked over at Becca, confused, as Jeremy chimed in. “Same night as the club opening.” Jeremy shook his head. “That’s why I couldn’t be there that night. Remember?” Jeremy looked at me with raised eyebrows.
“Yeah, I remember you telling me you weren’t going to be able to make it, but I guess I didn’t make the connection.” I stared at Becca, wondering why she hadn’t mentioned anything to me about the conflict. “Becca?”
“Yeah…” She smiled meekly as she looked down at her drink. “I wanted to talk to you about that. I mean I’d love for you to go, but with the club opening, I knew you couldn’t.”
A wave of disappointment filled my body. “And what about you? You weren’t planning to be at the opening? When were you going to mention this?”
“Well.” She looked away from me, as the tension at the table mounted. I could see that both Jeremy and Courtney were uncomfortable. “Everything will be ready to go. Honestly, there will be plenty of people to keep everything running smoothly.” Becca sipped from her wine glass as she reached for my hand. “I planned on being there in the morning to make sure everything was set, and then heading to the wedding to help Melissa.”
“I see.” I bit my lip and took a deep breath as I turned away and stared at Jeremy across the table. I couldn’t believe Becca was doing this to me; she knew how hard we had all worked to make the opening a success. I wondered whether she would have mentioned anything at all if it hadn’t come up in the conversation.
I took a long sip from my Crown and ginger. I could feel my anger bubbling in my chest. There was no point arguing with her now. It was clear that she’d made up her mind.
The tension continued through dinner even though I had attempted to make light of the situation. I was extremely disappointed and quite frustrated. Everything I had felt earlier in the evening had dissipated. I attempted to drown the hurt with a few more drinks, but it only made me feel worse.
After having dropped off Jeremy and Courtney, Becca and I sat in silence for the remainder of the ride to her apartment. The disappointment was clearly visible on her face. I felt abandoned by her.
“Chance, I’m sorry.” Her clear blue eyes stared into mine as she grasped my hand. “I didn’t think it would be such a big deal. I had committed to be there for Melissa long before we met. Do you have any idea how much I’d like to have my boyfriend by my side at this wedding? Yet, I’ll be there, alone.” A tear trickled down her cheek as she stared at me. “You aren’t the only one that’s hurting.”
Becca slipped out of the car and shut the door, not waiting for my reply. I sat speechless. I hadn’t realized how hurt she might be as well. This wasn’t the evening I had wanted at all.
We were both left hurt and alone.