Flirting With Destiny(47)

“That was so much fun. You should’ve come with me… but I know you had to get some work done and guys don’t like shopping anyway. It’s really a girl thing.” She suddenly pitched forward, eager to recount every detail of her day. “Come here, let me show you what I got. You have to see this. These shoes are fabulous.”

She’d dumped the bags on the floor next to her feet and was patting the spot next to her on the couch. I eagerly joined her, her enthusiasm contagious. Once I sat down, she angled her body to face mine, setting me straight in the line of her beautiful eyes. They were deep and alluring, and drove me crazy with desire. For a silent moment—what seemed like one long silent moment—we just sat there, gazing into each other’s eyes. I felt the heat radiating off her body and then something else, a different kind of hot vibration crackled between us. This was a signal for sure. I wasn’t wrong in bringing her here. Maybe there was hope for us after all.

Finally, she broke our moment with a smile and bent over, reaching for one of the shopping bags at her feet. She retrieved a sleek white one, tastefully designed with the store logo in silver cursive scrolled writing. “Look at these.” Her face brightened. She lifted a pair of shoes out of the box, like she was lifting a precious jewel on a velvet pillow. “Aren’t they gorgeous?”

I blinked. “They’re… white.” And obviously meant to wear with a wedding gown. I pulled back, not realizing I’d been slowly leaning closer as we spoke.

“Well of course, silly. They’re for my wedding.” She continued ripping open boxes and talking about her wedding plans, but I didn’t hear most of it. Her words faded into a blur.

“Oh. Of course,” I mumbled. My jaw clenched. I tried to cover my disappointment and asked as casually as I could, “Did you get something for tonight?”

I couldn’t believe it. She hadn’t been thinking of me while shopping. She wasn’t picturing the two of us entwined in passionate kisses, tearing at each other with wanton desire. She had been thinking about the wedding and that fucked up, creep of a fiancé Chip. What kind of name was that anyway? Chip! She was going to go through with it and marry that prick.

I stood up, trying to act casual while pretending to rearrange the magazines laying on the coffee table under her shoe purchases—let me correct myself—her wedding purchases. Probably everything in the other bags was something for her wedding also. I was so glad I could provide her with a chance to get her fucking wedding shopping done. I wanted to kick something. I was hurt and bitter.

“Oh, yes I did get something for tonight,” she chirped in a cheery voice. She let the shoe in her hand drop to her lap. An expression of concern crossed her face for a brief moment and I thought she had a moment of self-realization, but then it vanished. She turned her attention back to her lap and returned the shoe to its box, her excitement picking up again.

“I actually got two pairs for the wedding,” she rambled on, “One to wear with my gown and the other for the reception. You know, I can’t dance in this high of a heel…” Lauren stopped herself from digging out the second pair when she saw the glazed over look on my face. “Well, never mind. Do you want to see the ones I got for tonight?”

I was already backing away from the living area, trying to get out of her sight before she saw my disappointment. “That’s okay, I’ll see them in a few minutes. We should probably start getting ready. You can surprise me.” Like she hadn’t already.

What a dick I am, I thought. I actually believed she came here to be with me and then make a fucking decision. I thought I had a chance to convince her to leave Dip, but it seemed like the true reason she’d come to Chicago was to use me for a damn shopping spree. It just kept happening. It seemed like every time I was with Lauren, she used me. How could she go through with her plans to marry that man? He didn’t love her. Not like I could. I was a million times better than that son of a bitch, soon to be wife-beater.

I made it to the kitchen before pounding my fist on the hard surface of the counter, feeling dejected, then pulled open a drawer, looking for the last bit of blow I had tucked away.

No! I slammed it back shut. I needed every brain cell in my head right now. Tonight would be my last chance. Either she’ll go back as a single woman, or still engaged. If she decided to go through with the wedding, then I’ll give up and get over it. Whatever happens tonight, will tell. If we end up in bed together, so be it.

Maybe it’ll help me put this whole thing to rest. And then, if she really goes through with the marriage and Chip ever found out? Well now, wouldn’t that be a shame. A blissful marriage—ruined. Was that what it was going to take to make her finally realize they weren’t meant to be together? I went to my bedroom to get dressed thinking that destiny’s a fickle mistress. She leads you by the nose down one path and then, just when you think you have it all figured out, she throws you a sharp curve, and you’re left wondering and unprepared for what’s around the next corner.