Page 117 of Between the Lines

Undoubtedly, he’s drunk, but I’ve never seen a bigger grin on his face. I join the back of the crowd, eyes on my best friend as he shouts over everyone.

“Thank you all for coming! And for those of you who knew this was a surprise engagement party . . . thanks for keeping your mouths shut.” He finds me in the crowd and tips his drink, as if I would’ve told a soul.

At least three dozen people shuffle around the deck, ice clinking in drinks, whispers and smiles, seagulls squawking above.

“For those who don’t know,” Matt continues, smiling while he speaks, “a year ago today, Morgan started working at the same gym as me. She was the new trainer, and I’d arrive to work early everyday just to say hi to her in the parking lot. Like an idiot, I left my number on a piece of paper on her car windshield after two weeks. She never called.”

Everyone laughs, including Morgan.

“But I kept showing up early, asking her to lunch or for drinks after work . . . I asked until she finally agreed. It was a bit unhinged, I’ll admit.” Matt pauses, glancing at Morgan. She places her hand on his chest, gazing up at him.

“But I knew from the moment I met her that she was my future wife. And you do crazy things when you feel that way about someone.”

They lock eyes and kiss ,and everyone raises their drinks.

I drop my lukewarm beer onto a nearby table, unable to focus on anything around me. I rub my palm over my stubbled jaw and fish my keys from my pocket.

I have to get out of here.

My heart races as my legs carry me as fast as they can around the side of the house and down the street to my Jeep. The streetlights flicker on as night approaches, and I’m cast in a dusky shadow under the large palm fronds.

I punch in an address on my phone, needing to find the quickest way to get to Good Grinds before they close.

There’s no time to decide if this is a bad idea.

As soon as I come rushing through the back door of Good Grinds, my eyes lock with Halle’s. Keys jingle from her grip and the chairs are flipped onto tables because we close in minutes.

My breath shakes my whole body, and I pull off my sunglasses, running a hand through my windswept hair.

Halle’s eyes go wide as she stares at me. “Oh my god, what happened to you?”

I shake my head. “It’s nothing. But I need your help.”

There’s no one in here but us, half the lights are already off.

Her lips fall open, eyes narrow slightly. “If this is about Fia, I can’t help.”

I raise my brows, not entirely shocked. Halle’s her best friend, of course she knows.

Halle continues past me to lock the back door.

“Will you please stop and look at me?” I ask.

She huffs out a breath, but her gaze snaps back to mine. Fire dances in her eyes.

“I don’t know what you know,” I say, and wince when I clench my jaw, “but I’m assuming she told you I fucked up,” I admit, handing all my cards over. I’ve got nothing left to hide—I need her help.

“Well, she did call me last night sobbing, so . . .” she shoots back at me, and I drop my head, pinching the back of my neck. “She really cared about you.”

I stop, taking a deep breath. “I know how it looks, but that’s why I’m here. I need your help to fix it.”

She nudges the chair next to us with her sneaker but won’t look at me.

“Don’t make me beg.”

Halle groans and stomps her foot.

“Fine, but you better have an amazing plan, because Fia doesn’t trust easily, and you broke something in her. So, if you tell me you need help picking out a piece of jewelry or something stupid, I swear to god I will burn this place down.”