Awesome.
Beside her, Elliott was trying hard not to laugh. “Sorry,” he called out to his family. “I was just goofing around while Skye was trying to eat. Don’t mind us.”
Fortunately, everyone went back to their own meals and conversations as Skye glared at him. “Thanks. Like that wasn’t incredibly awkward.”
He shrugged and took a bite of his sandwich. “It’s not that big of a deal.” They ate in companionable silence for a few minutes. “So how are you? How was your weekend?”
“I’m good,” she replied, feeling a little more at ease. “The weekend was its usual form of chaos and I have tomorrow off so I am going to try to get caught up on some sleep. What about you? How was your weekend?”
Rather than answer right away, he took a drink of his Coke and then ate a few chips. Skye was about to prompt him to respond when he finally did.
“It was…good,” he said, not looking at her. His focus was on his plate and it just seemed…odd.
“O-kay…”
“I went out with Tyler and Alex Saturday night. We went to Flanagan’s downtown, played some darts and…you know…hung out.”
“They have the best wings there,” she commented, since for whatever reason, he was being awkward with the conversation. “I haven’t been there in a long time, but before we opened Meet Me at the Altar, me, Josie, and Lea would go there a lot on the weekends. It’s a great place to meet…”
Oh.
Oh…
Well…crap.
“Yeah,” he murmured. “So there was that.”
At first, all Skye could do was nod because…really…what was she supposed to say? They weren’t dating; there had been no talk of being exclusive in this stupid casual relationship thing they were doing. And that was definitely her fault because she kept putting off having that conversation.
Lesson learned.
Clearing her throat quietly, she focused on her own plate, even though her appetite was gone. “So what do you think of the party plans? I love the way your grandfather let your grandmother take the lead. Super cute.”
“Yeah,” he said with very little enthusiasm. “Listen, Skye, I want you to know that…”
There was no way she wanted to talk about this here and immediately cut him off. “It’s okay, Elliott. Really. You don’t owe me any explanation and you are free to do whatever you want with…you know…whomever you want.” Now she did look up at him and saw his expression go from frowning to being almost furious.
“Really? That’s how you feel?”
The lump in her throat prevented her from saying the words, but she forced herself to nod.
Pushing his plate aside, he leaned in close. “I cannot believe you,” he said, his voice a mere whisper. Angry, but still a whisper. “I guess this is part of the rules we never got around to talking about.”
For the life of her, Skye had no idea why he was so angry. He was basically getting to have his cake and eat it too! What more did he want?
“This really isn’t the time or place to be having this discussion, so…”
“Skye?” Leanna said, leaning over her shoulder and giving her a gentle squeeze. “Can you give me a hand in the kitchen? I’ve got that cupcake order to prepare and I’m a little behind.” Then she smiled at Elliott. “Good to see you, Elliott!”
There was no cupcake delivery that Skye was aware of, but she wasn’t about to turn down a lifeline.
“Sure. No problem.” Then she pasted a smile on her face as she looked back at Elliott. “Good to see you again. Take care.” And before she could say more, Leanna took her by the hand and practically dragged her from the room and didn’t stop until they were in the far corner of the kitchen. “What in the world, Lea?”
Her friend maneuvered them around until she gently pushed Skye onto a stool. Leanna wasn’t the least bit intimidating, but she was certainly going for that look right now. “If you could see what I was seeing, you’d know why I dragged you out of there.”
“Um…what?”
Nodding, she explained, “The two of you were looking way too intense–angry intense–and in another minute, everyone else was going to notice it too.” She paused and pulled up a stool for herself. “So what’s going on?”
Groaning, she leaned back and hit her head against the wall. “Ouch…”
“Nice stall tactic. Spill it.”
“I really don’t want to here.”
“Well, too bad. I didn’t want to have to make a scene and force you out of there and yet…here we are.”
Not wanting to argue, Skye told her about her two nights with Elliott and then what he just shared with her. “I mean, I know we didn’t talk about any rules or whatever, but…it just stung that he went out to meet someone within hours of leaving my bed!”
Without a word, Leanna got up and walked over to her refrigerator. Skye had no idea what she was doing, but when she came back, she handed Skye a container of icing.
It would be rude to decline so…
“Eat your icing and hear me out,” Leanna said as she got situated on her stool again. “First, I am so excited for you! You finally got to be with your dream man!”
“For all the good it’s doing me…”
“Oh, hush. Yes, the two of you never talked about any rules, but honestly…he didn’t really admit that he hooked up with anyone.”
“He was out with the guys at Flanagan’s and you know there’s only one reason single people go there.” She took a heaping spoonful of chocolate icing and moaned with pure pleasure. “We used to go there all the time whenever we were looking to meet guys.”
“Okay, yes. That’s true, but…he went out with his friends and he’s a single guy. Where else did you think they were going to go?”
She stuck another spoonful into her mouth and refused to speculate.
“Skye, he’s doing what everyone wants him to do, but that doesn’t mean it’s what he wants to do.”
“But it is!” she countered around a mouthful of sugary sweetness. “He’s done with relationships and wanting to get married and…and…everything he’s been chasing for years! Now all he wants is casual and no commitments and a good time! And like an idiot, I threw myself at him and thought I could handle it. Two dates later and I’m crying in a bowl of frosting!” She licked the spoon and then paused. “How did you know I was going to need this?”
“Oh, please. Once a week I put a fresh bowl in there for you.” Laughing, Leanna shook her head. “There’s always a chocolate one for you and I try to have either butterscotch or strawberry in there for Josie.”
“I had no idea.” Tears stung her eyes. “You are seriously an awesome friend.”
“Hey, it’s just what I do,” she said with a slight blush. “So what’s going to happen now?”
With a shrug, Skye let out a long breath. “I guess it’s over. I thought I could do casual, but it turns out, I can’t. There’s no way I’d be okay with him coming around and knowing he slept with someone else the night before or something. I could handle knowing this wasn’t going to be permanent or even long-term, but I can’t be one of many.” She shuddered. “Serious ick factor for me.”