I fall asleep in his arms. Wake to the smell of coffee and tea and a note about meeting me at the engagement party.
It's easier than I expect, stepping into my role.
Listening to Sienna gossip as we dress, sit through hair and makeup, take a car to the party.
Watching her bounce around the room, discussing soccer with anyone who will listen.
I hold Ty's hand. I smile at his co-workers. I laugh as Cam and Ian tease him about my bachelorette party.
They're going to buy me strippers.
And record the whole thing. To make Ty jealous.
They're invited, right?
I laugh. I sip champagne. I circulate.
The blushing bride.
Then the air in the room changes.
I know before I see her.
Rory. In a designer sheath and pearls. Sweet smile, long hair, French-manicured fingers wrapped around Ty's heart.
Chapter Forty-Eight
Indigo
"That's a beautiful ring." Ty's coworker goes on about the curving silver adorning my left hand. "Modern."
"I'm a modern man." Ty's voice stays strong, but his eyes wander to her.
It's fast, a second maybe, but I still feel some pull between them.
I'm the only one who gets that side of him.
I repeat the mantra again and again.
It fails to soften my shoulders.
His coworker laughs. "Do you go Dutch on your dates?"
"We trade off," Ty says. "I pay for pizza. She pays for dinner at Le Cirque."
He's teasing. I'm supposed to laugh. But I can't.
His attention is with her. That part of him that wants to be a nice man who likes nice things—
It's with her.
That part of him will always be with her.
Ty presses his palm into my lower back. "Let me get you something to eat."
"I'm fine." I pry my eyes from Rory and her perfect black sheath.
"I remember when I got married," his coworker says. "My wife wouldn't touch carbs. She nearly starved herself to fit into her dress."
That's ridiculous, but it's filling Ty's head with ideas.
I can see it in his eyes. That other part of him. The one that needs to take care of me.
He nods goodbye to his coworker. "If you'll excuse us…"
I open my mouth to protest, but his coworker is already walking away. Ty is already leading me toward the table of appetizers.
He fills a plate with crostini. One is topped with shrimp and mango. Another with goat cheese and raspberry. A third with mozzarella and basil.
"I'm fine," I say.
"When's the last time you ate?" He pushes the plate into my hands.
"Breakfast."
"Indigo…" His eyes flit to her. Rory. She's chatting with Ian.
And he's looking at us like he's not looking at us.
"If you don't want this, I'll find something else," he says.
Fine. I take the middle piece. Pop it into my mouth.
Fuck, it's good. Soft bread, tart raspberry, creamy goat cheese.
I stifle a groan.
I'm hungry. No, I'm starving.
He can tell—he can always tell—but he doesn't call me on it. Just fills another plate with goat cheese and raspberry toast and trades me.
He finishes his appetizers.
I finish my second in one bite. The third in two.
"Here." He fills a glass with water from the carafe.
I drink. "Did you know she was coming?"
"No," he says.
"Did Ian?"
"He would have told me."
Unless she swore him to secrecy.
That the two of them hold on to secrets like their lives depend on it.
Rory says goodbye to Ian. Looks to us with a smile. Moves across the room.
I finish my glass. Set it on the table. Wipe my hands on my dress.
He slips his arm around my waist. Holds me like he's waiting for his best friend and not his ex.
Rory stops in front of us. "Hello." She smiles at me. "You must be Indigo."
"I must," I say.
She offers her hand. "I'm Rory."
"I know." I shake. "It's nice to meet you."
"You too." Her smile is soft. Genuine. "I've heard a lot about you."
"You have?" I ask. "From who?"
She laughs. "Friends who keep an eye on Ty for me." Her eyes flit to my left hand. "Your dress is gorgeous."
"Thank you." It's a normal engagement party conversation. And this dress is fantastic. My first choice wasn't available, but this one is better.
A backless silk number that falls mid-thigh. With the high, square neckline, it's sexy, classy, and dramatic at once.
"She looks gorgeous, doesn't she?" Ty turns to me. Looks me up and down. Not like he's assessing me. Not like he's thinking about what he wants to do to me.
Like he loves me so much he loves the sight of me.
Do I have that part of him?
"She does." Rory breaks the moment. "You look stunning, Indigo."
"Not compared to him," I say.
For a moment, his smile is easy, authentic. Then he looks at her and his brow furrows.
"He does wear a suit, doesn't he?" Rory says.
"He does." I move closer reflexively.
"Would you mind if I stole a moment with you, Indigo?" she asks. "Would you mind, Ty?"
"Of course not." He presses his lips to my cheek. Leans closer enough to whisper. "Are you sure?"
I nod.
His hand lingers on my waist.
His lips linger on my neck.
He stays close, like he's going to say more, like he's going to whisper I love you.
But he doesn't.
He releases me. "Take care of her."
"I promise." She waits for him to leave.
Ty finds his brother. Tries to laugh at something. Fails to sell casual.
"They're watching, aren't they?" She looks to them.
"What else would they do?" I ask.
She nods true. Motions to the rooftop garden outside. "Can I buy you a drink?"
"It's an open bar."
Her laugh is soft. Musical. "Can Ty buy you a drink then?"
"A Manhattan. Thanks. I'll meet you there."
She nods. Moves to the bar.
I step onto the quiet rooftop patio. It's a beautiful night. Warm air. Light breeze. Soft blue sky lit by skyscrapers and paper lanterns.
The city at night.
Paradise.
Rory finds me at the railing. "You look at home."
"I am."
"You are. Aren't you?"
I'm not sure what she's asking, so I don't answer. I accept my drink with a thank you. Turn to the Empire State Building.
Its lights are blue today. That bright cobalt. Not our blue. Not any of our blues. But somehow still ours.
Rory brings her wineglass to her lips. "This must be strange for you."
"For you too." I take a long sip. Let the mix of bourbon, vermouth, and bitters warm my lips and throat. It's almost too hot for a Manhattan, but I need the liquid courage.
"I promise my intentions are good." Her fingers curl around the stem. "I'm not here to steal him."