Page 23 of Mating Theory
“Take care of her,” he murmurs to Hugo. He leaves without a backward glance.
Slowly I become aware of my surroundings—the large baptismal pool with water gently lapping, the profusion of royal blue calla lilies in elaborate, artistic arrangements. My cheeks heat with embarrassment that they saw our kiss.
Bea’s eyebrows are raised, and even though she tries to act casual I can see a faint flush beneath her freckles. “Well,” she says, brisk and businesslike. “Shall we find our seats?”
I mumble something incoherent, and Hugo smooths over the moment with that charm of his. “Two beautiful ladies. That’s what I usually have. Now, three.” He takes the toddler with a swift kiss on her forehead. “I’m a very lucky man. Come, lead the way.”
Beatrix takes my arm, and we head down the bustling aisle to find empty seats. An usher waves us forward. As we move sideways to our places, I see someone glance at me and away. Someone else whispers behind their hand. For a cold moment I think there’s actually a scarlet letter pinned to my dress, as if they know, they know, they know. That’s impossible. It’s not me they’re whispering about. The realization makes me even colder. It’s Sutton. They’re whispering and wondering about me because I came with Sutton.
I raise my chin, doing my best to appear worldly and well satisfied.
“That’s good,” Bea murmurs. “Let them wonder. They’re vultures, all of them.”
The wood of the pew is smooth, the program crumpled in my hand. This whole thing is too familiar. It might as well be Daddy sitting next to me. Bile rises in my throat. I force it back. The last thing I need is to spew vomit all over the people in front of us. They’re wearing Yves Saint Laurent and Versace, for God’s sake. “It doesn’t feel right that Sutton should be the best man.”
“He’s really his only friend. Oh, there’s Hugo and Blue, but they’re really more Sutton’s friend than Christopher’s. That’s what happens when you put ambition before everything.”
“It doesn’t seem to have hurt him any. Look at this place.” It’s filled to the brim with rich, beautiful people. They may not be close friends, but they’re here.
“They’re mostly here for the drama.”
“What do they think’s going to happen? Sutton won’t disrupt Harper’s wedding day.”
Bea gives a faint smile. “I know that. And you know that. They don’t.”
I’m not so foolish as to think Sutton’s a saint. I can still remember the feel of his cock in my mouth, his hands on my head, guiding me, teaching me. The memory of his mouth between my legs makes me blush. He made me come again and again.
He has his flaws, but he deserves better than to be the sideshow.
The hair on my neck prickles, and I glance up. Sutton’s watching me, that unfathomable ocean turbulent across this many pews. His golden beauty looks striking and sun-drenched, especially in contrast to the man he’s standing next to. Christopher Bardot, the developer who’s turning dilapidated buildings into luxury hotels, condominiums, and retail. He’s well known, even to the street trash like me. One of these days my sugar factory will probably turn into a Louis Vuitton store. He looks like a dark god, all black hair and slashes for brows. His tux is immaculate. Silk and wool wouldn’t dare be out of alignment on this man. Weren’t we good together, all three?
Imagining Sutton with Christopher makes my cheeks warm. I’ve never felt anything when I imagine Ky with one of his customers—not even his special customer. It’s only Sutton that makes the fantasy come alive. It’s impossible for him to do anything by half. He’s such a physical man, a fully feeling one, which is what makes the heartbreak so real.
And he’s so damned strong, so self-assured in his masculinity, that he wouldn’t give a damn what anyone thinks. Him and Harper and Christopher. Why did he turn them down? Why would he leave them and bring me home? There’s no way I could have satisfied him like they would have. Uncertainty makes knots in my stomach. Don’t break his heart again.
No. No, I couldn’t. Whatever he wants of me, it’s already his.
Until I leave. Because that part is inevitable. Just like Mr. Monopoly, he’ll drive me back to the west side and drop me off. Ky will make me instant noodles, the way I do for him.
“You know,” Bea murmurs beside me. “I’m good friends with Harper.”
“Oh.” Quickly I run through everything I said about her. Did I make her sound awful? I don’t actually think she’s awful, but no one can deny the pain Sutton’s felt.
Bea laughs. “I don’t blame her for following her heart. But I also wouldn’t blame you for being protective of Sutton. Someone needs to be.”
What does that mean? “I thought you said he had a lot of friends.”
