Nate looked at me with confusion as I hoped I was mistaken, and some random party goer was leaning against my back. But then she spoke close to my ear. "Picking out your targets for the night, fellas?"

The familiar voice sent a cold stab of fear through my chest. Turning, I found Stacy Harrison in a low-cut black lace dress. "Stacy." I forced my voice through my suddenly dry throat. "What are you doing here?"

She giggled as she moved to drape herself against my side with her hand on my chest. Mr. Harrison's daughter had always been too touchy for my taste, but judging by her glassy eyes and pink cheeks, this time she needed me for balance.

"Having less fun than you. Weddings are such a meat market." She sighed, sending a fresh wave of wine fumes into my face. "I'm next door at the bar mitzvah. The boy's father is one of Daddy's lawyers, but Daddy had somewhere to be, so here I am." She threw her arm out to the side in a pose meant to show off her curves.

Relief flooded my body, almost buckling my knees. Thank God Mr. Harrison wasn't here, and Stacy was clueless.

Mistaking my relief for excitement, she said, "I know! I was glad to see you too." She squeezed my arm, pressing her breasts against me, and Nate cleared his throat.

Stacy glanced over at him with another giggle and flipped her long, blonde waves to the side. "Hi, handsome." She stuck her free hand out, and he took it, giving it a quick shake.

"Hello." Nate spoke through a tight smile.

"I'm Stacy Harrison. My Daddy owns Peachtree and Kings, where Joby works." Her unfocused gaze slipped between us. "How do you two know each other?"

Nate waited for me to answer as panic squeezed my chest. He's my boyfriend. Say it!

Blood rushed in my ears. No! She'll tell her dad and I'll lose everything—my career, my home.

Sweat broke out on the back of my neck and nausea swirled in my stomach as my brain shut down and I heard myself say, "This is my friend, Nate."

Disappointment blanketed his handsome face, breaking my heart, but he took a deep breath and nodded. "Friend of his sister, actually."

Stacy simpered up at him drunkenly and I tried not to cringe when he took a small step back, giving her room to squeeze between us. "Nice to meet you, Nate," she said, before turning her attention to me. I tried to catch Nate's eye, but he wouldn't take his gaze off the ground.

Her fingers toyed with the buttons over my chest, slipping between the cloth to brush her nails over my skin. "You know, we really need to get started working together at the hotel. Spending more time together." Her body pressed against mine. "Won't that be fun?"

"What?" It was a nightmare. My thoughts crawled through quicksand as my lungs struggled for air. I was drowning on dry land, unable to put a sentence together as her drunken touches grew bolder.

"I'm gonna go," Nate said without looking at me. "You two have a good night."

He strode away without a glace back. No. No, no, no. Fix this, Joby!

Grabbing Stacy by the shoulders, I moved her a step back. "You should probably get back to your own party. I need to speak to someone."

"But, Joby." Her face was a mask of confusion. "I reserved a room down the road. Don't you want to see it?"

She licked her glossed lips, and I searched for Nate. The door to the building closed, and he was gone. I had to catch him.

"No, Stacy. I don't. Sorry." I turned her toward the other door and gave her a nudge that way. "I'm in a relationship, but I'm sure someone at the bar mitzvah would love to see your room."

I didn't watch her go. I rushed to the door where Nate disappeared, and found the wedding space empty, save for a few older couples sitting at a table chatting. Ignoring them, I sprinted past the well-dressed party guests in the hall to the front of the event center and all the way through the exit.

Panting, my gaze darted around the busy parking lot, finally spotting Nate leaning against a column near the end of the walkway. I pushed my hair back with my fingers and took a deep breath, trying to ease the dread weighing me down as I moved toward him.

"Hey," I said as I reached his side. "I'm sorry about that. Seeing my boss's daughter was unexpected."

"I could tell." Nate's jaw flexed. "You looked like you swallowed your tongue. Don't worry. I called a ride. It'll be here in a few minutes. You can go back to Stacy so she won't suspect anything."

"You're mad. I get it. But—"

"No. You don't." Nate finally looked at me and I wished he hadn't. The hurt and anger in his eyes were almost too much to bear. "I know how hard it is." His eyebrows pulled together. "My family would rather never speak to me again than see me happy."

"Nate, I'm so sorry."

"For what? Because I did what I had to do to be myself, no matter the cost, or because you're too scared to do the same?"

"That's not—" I lowered my voice as a group passing by turned our way with interest. "It's not that easy."

"Is it me?" His voice tightened. "Am I not worth it?"

"God, no, Nate," I whispered. "You're amazing. More than I've ever hoped for."

A car stopped in front of Nate with a ride service light on the dash and he waved at the driver, holding up one finger. Stepping away from the column, Nate put himself in the middle of the walkway where everyone going to their cars or standing around talking could see him.

His head tilted as he studied my face with glassy eyes. "Kiss me, Joby."

My skin burned as I imagined everyone looking at us. What if Stacy came out here?

"Earlier you couldn't wait to get me home." Nate frowned. "If I'm everything you've hoped for, kiss me now."

I couldn't move. Couldn't even think as my world imploded around me.

"I've been patient. I wanted you to come out on your own, so you'd feel good about it. But it's been months, and your family already knows." He chuckled without humor. "When it's just us, I've never been happier in my life, but then I'm introduced as your friend to some horny rich girl, and I've never felt worse. I want it all, and I'm tired of settling for less."

He went to open the car door, and fear sliced through me. "No!" I yelled and Nate froze, turning, giving me a chance to say something. But what? My outburst had drawn everyone's attention.

Nate's expression softened, but he didn't step away from the car. "Then stop me, Joby. Take my hand."

I didn't move.

"I won't be a secret anymore." He got in the car and left me standing there with my heart in my throat.

The taillights of his ride shrunk into the distance and disappeared around a curve. All around me, people trailed through the late night, heading toward their cars in pairs and groups, leaving their respective gatherings. And there I was, alone again.

Things always ended this way for me, but it had never felt like this. So final. So all encompassing. Like I'd never be the same.

As I walked to my car, all the sounds faded away. Street lights dimmed. Even the breeze seemed to still as the only thing I felt was empty.

Thanks for reading! 💜