Forever Mine (Roommate Duet 0.5)(10)

“I’m going to hate you tomorrow,” I tell him with a grin, but then he orders us more drinks. After he hands me a red and orange concoction, he smiles. “Now you’ll hate me tomorrow.”

“How many is this? I’ve already lost count.” I try to remember, but it all seems like mush. We make our way back to our seats to drink and watch people on the dance floor.

“Have you seen him lately?” I ask, knowing nothing or no one gets past Donny.

“Yeah. He’s on the opposite side of the room, probably Lena’s doing,” he tells me, stirring his drink with his straw.

“I know it’s been a long time but seeing him just makes me feel terrible about what happened between us.” I keep my voice low, and I see his face soften.

“Maybe it’s time you told him the truth then?” Donny’s eyes meet mine, and for the first time tonight, he’s being serious.

“I couldn’t. He’d never forgive me. Ever.” The regret of what happened has never faded. For a decade, I’ve been lost in the might-have-beens and what-ifs. People say time and distance help through a breakup, but the way I loved Hayden was different. It was fierce and beautiful, and I chose to let him go. Nothing or no one has ever been able to fill that void in my heart. It’s a shallow grave of where our love once lived. It’s always been reserved for him, and I’m sure it’ll always be there.

“And you think he’s forgiven you now? Sometimes, regardless of how many years have passed, it’s better to be truthful than to keep harboring it all. Because it’s obviously still affecting you. It’s time you put Hayden Manning behind you. Or on top of you,” he says, cracking a smile and lightening the mood.

I finish my drink and stand. “I think I’m gonna go to the ladies’ room real quick,” I tell him, needing to excuse myself from the conversation and freshen up.

“I’ll be here. Or at the bar. You’ll find me,” he says.

I exit the ballroom and walk down the hallway toward the restroom. It’s packed, and after I do my business, I wash my hands and look at myself in the mirror.

“Is that you, little Savannah Burns?” a woman asks. I turn and see Lena’s mother, Carla, with the biggest smile splashed across her face.

“Yes, ma’am. How have you been?” I smile, and she hands me a paper towel to dry my hands, then we hug.

“I’ve been good, honey. How about you? Are you still living in New York? You know I don’t keep up with you kids much.”

We walk out of the bathroom together and make small talk about everything that’s happened since I left. Soon we’re in the reception area, and Hayden interrupts our conversation.

Carla gushes over him the same way she did in the bathroom with me. “Oh my gosh. You two love birds are still together?”

Heat hits my cheeks, and I shake my head.

“Oh, I’m so sorry. This is what happens when I have too much wine,” she says, looking at Hayden.

“It was nice seeing you, Mrs. Carla,” he tells her, giving her a hug, and she makes her escape. As she crosses the dance floor, Hayden turns and looks at me. Being under his gaze causes heat to rush over my body. Just like the fairy godmother he is, Donny rushes over with shots in his hand, and I willingly take it.

Hayden watches me intently as I watch Donny move across the room, almost as if he’s floating. The lights transition, and “Wonderful Tonight” by Eric Clapton begins to play.

“Sav, would you like to dance?” He gives me that same boyish grin I fell in love with as a teen.

I should say no.

I should walk away, but the tequila is speaking, and I take his hand. He guides me to the dance floor between all the other couples.

Hayden places his hand at the small of my back and pulls me close to his chest. His cologne brings back so many fond memories of all the time we spent together and how much it used to drive me insane. I used to steal his letterman jacket just so I could keep the smell of him with me at all times.

“I’ve missed hearing you sing,” he says with a smile as we begin to slow dance.

I look up into his eyes and feel as if I’m dreaming. I didn’t even realize I was singing aloud to the music.

“Habit,” I say with a shy grin. Acting and singing on stage are my bread and butter, yet him saying he misses hearing it has me blushing with embarrassment.

“You used to hum all the time when we would study together, and once I got to college, I realized how much I needed it to focus,” he admits. I blink up at him, wishing I had the guts to tell him how sorry I was for hurting him and why I did what I did. I ended things before our first semester was over, and I can’t even imagine how that affected him—well, maybe I can—except I had Donny and practice to distract me.

“I still do that when I’m reading over my lines,” I say with a grin.

He chuckles. “Guess some things really don’t change.”

“You have,” I reply with a smirk, wishing the tequila would shut up. He spins me around and pulls me back close to his body.

“You have no idea, sweetheart.” His voice drops low, and I swallow hard as we make eye contact again.

My heart erratically beats, and I’m afraid I might say something I regret. “I’ve missed you, Hayden,” I admit, feeling the emotions bubbling up. “You were my best friend for so long and then…”