Reckless Abandon (November Blue, #2)(37)

bar.

“You want to know how I really feel? I’ll tell you. I think you made a huge mistake when you walked out on him in Concord, and

you’re making a bigger mistake now.” She points at Adrian without making eye contact with him.

My chest heaves under my anger. Adrian’s eyes volley between us in silence. I stare through Monica as I address her and our

friends.

“I’m done here. Let’s go, Adrian.”

Regan and Josh stand bug-eyed and silent as I brush past Monica and lead Adrian out of the bar.

“What was that all about?” Adrian asks as we get to my car.

“Monica’s a bitch, that’s what that is about,” I huff.

“Is it because of me? Did you tell her?”

Before I can answer, Regan hollers after me.

“November, wait!” I roll my eyes as Adrian gets in the car.

“What’s up, Regan?”

“I’m sorry if I pissed you off back there, I—” I cut him off to spare him the torture creeping across his face.

“It wasn’t you. It was Monica. She’s engaged and suddenly becomes an expert on relationships. I’ve got a killer rest of the

week ahead in Concord, so I’ve gotta get going. I’ll be back Saturday, OK?”

His shoulders relax to their normal position and he smiles in relief. “OK. Hey, I’ve been texting Rae.” His smile changes to one

of endearment. “We want to hit up Coldplay’s concert on Thursday in New Hampshire. You want in?”

“Hell yes! I’ve wanted to see them forever! And, any excuse to hang out with Rae is OK by me. Thanks Reagan, see you Thursday.”

I forget my anger at Monica for the moment as Regan and I say goodbye and I get in the car.

“You’re in a better mood.” Adrian’s voice is tight as I start the engine.

“Regan has the hots for Rae,” I giggle. “They’re going to a Coldplay concert on Thursday, and he asked if I wanted to go. I’m

psyched!”

“Who else is going?” His tone borders on accusatory, but I ignore it and shrug.

“I didn’t even think to ask.”





Chapter Fifteen


Monica and I have made up by Thursday. She apologized for getting in my face in front of everyone, though she didn’t apologize for

what she said. A silent understanding has partitioned us at the moment. She disagrees about Adrian, how I handled Bo, and how I’m

currently handling Bo. And I disagree with her. I’ve stepped into maid-of-honor duties and have planned their engagement party for

Fourth of July weekend—just two weeks away. Despite our standoff about my love life, I can be fully supportive of hers.

“Was Adrian upset about the concert tonight?” Monica asks, as we enjoy lunch outside in the grass.

“Upset about what?” I scoff.

“Doesn’t he know Bo’s going?”

I didn’t even know Bo was going until yesterday afternoon, when Rae was trying to find a “sixth” person to go. I’d asked if

there was a ticket for Monica. She couldn’t look me in the eyes when she told me Bo was the fifth.

“He didn’t ask, I didn’t tell, it doesn’t matter. We’re not in a relationship, Monica.”

“For f*ck’s sake, Ember, when will you realize that you and Adrian Turner cannot do the “we’re not really in a relationship”

thing?”

In my head, I disagree. We’re different people than we were when we first met seven years ago. Our needs are different. My needs

are different. As we chew in silence, I catch Bo walking toward us out of the corner of my eye—with that smile.

“Hey Bo.” I smile between sips of my Fiji water. It’s not getting easier—saying his name or being around him—but I’ve become

one hell of an actress.

“Hello, ladies.” He sits down across from Monica and me, stretching his legs and messing a hand through his charcoal hair before

leaning back.

Damn. Why. Why is he so hot? All. The. Time.

With her impeccable timing, Ainsley Worthington and her strawberry blonde hair interrupt what would have been a rather pleasant

lunch. Her heels clack through the parking lot, and Bo rolls his eyes before she’s close enough to see.

“Hey Spencer!” I swear she cheers just to piss me off. And, hearing her call him Spencer makes me want to throw up.

“Hi Ains.” Ains? I see Monica’s eyebrows lift as Bo uses a nickname for her. He barely turns his head toward her, but that makes

her walk all the way over to us.

Shit.

“Well, I know how much you liked the steak salad when we went to lunch the other day, so I thought I’d bring one by for you.”

She holds out a brown paper bag and makes deliberate eye contact with me.

Time freezes in my head but seems to continue outside, as Bo and Ainsley engage in some sort of exchange. I turn to Monica in the

slowest motion known to man. She just shakes her head and shrugs. Because you’re friends, remember? The idea of Ainsley and Bo

having lunch together overrides any rationale clinging to life in my brain. I stand up and brush myself off.