The Exception(61)

“Nice to finally meet you in person, Kellan.” Drew grinned as they shook hands.

“Good to meet you too.”

“I see your father is here,” Drew spoke as he placed his hand in his pocket and held a glass of scotch with the other.

“Yes. We had a long talk and Kristen asked him to be here tonight.”

“Good. I’m happy to hear that you two worked things out. What about your mother?”

“Nah. She’s back in Seattle. I haven’t heard from her. Which is okay.”

“Well, we’re going to head back to our table. Talk to you later?”

“Yeah. Sure. Enjoy the wedding.” I smiled.

I couldn’t even begin to tell you the feeling that washed over me. It was a mixture of different emotions. Sadness, anger, surprise, shock, just to name a few.

“You can’t be mad or upset, Bean,” Kellan spoke. “You did tell him that he’s only a friend.”

“I know that, Kel, and I’m not upset.”

He rolled his eyes. “Have you forgotten that you can’t hide anything from me?” He kissed the side of my head.

“Hey, sweetheart. What’s going on with you and Drew? I see he’s here with someone,” my dad asked.

“Drew and I are just friends, Daddy. Nothing more.”

Confusion set in as he looked at me. “I thought you two were dating.”

I swallowed hard. “No. We’re just friends.”

“Jillian, what’s—”

“Come on, Dad. They want everyone to sit down for dinner.”

Taking my seat next to Kristen at the bridal table, I couldn’t help but glance over at Drew and Lia, taking notice of how the two of them were talking and laughing. For someone who wanted more than just friendship, it didn’t take him too long to move on to someone else. Was I really surprised? Not a bit. Look at how fast he moved from Jess to me. Fucking douchebag.

“I know that look and I know right now you’re angry,” Kristen spoke in my ear. “But you can’t be and you have no right to be. You made it very—”

Putting my hand up, I interrupted her. “I know. I made it very clear that we’re only friends.”

After we ate, it was time for Kristen and Noah to take their first dance as husband and wife. Kellan walked over and hooked his arm around me.

“Your dad apologized to me.”

“He did?”

“Yep. You know I never had anything against him. But Patricia.” He shuddered and I couldn’t help but laugh.

After their dance ended, it was an open floor for all the guests to dance the night away. The song “All of Me” by John Legend started to play. Kristen and my dad were the first on the dance floor while other couples followed behind.

“Come on, Jilly, let’s dance.” Kellan smiled as he led me to the dance floor.

As we were dancing, I looked over to see Drew and Lia on the dance floor. My heart started to rapidly beat and I buried my face into Kellan’s shoulder.

“It’s okay,” he whispered.

“I’m not sure it is.”

Just as the song ended, the DJ announced to switch partners with the couple dancing next to us as he played “Stay with Me” by Sam Smith.

“Oh hello, darling.” Kellan smiled as he took Lia’s hand.

Shit. Shit. Shit, I thought to myself as I took in a deep breath and placed my hand in Drew’s.

“We’ve never danced together,” he spoke.

“No. We haven’t.”

His hand wrapped around my waist felt good as did our hands that were locked together. His lips were inches from my ear. I could feel myself trembling.

“I like this song,” he whispered in my ear. “I don’t want you to leave will you hold my hand,” were the next words whispered.

I tightened and I knew he’d felt it.

“Relax, Jillian,” he spoke as he continued singing in my ear. “Oh won’t you stay with me, ‘cause you’re all I need.”

“I am relaxed.”

“But, darling, stay with me.”

On that note, the song ended and I couldn’t get away from Drew fast enough.

“Thanks for the dance.” He smiled as he turned to Lia and they both headed back to their table.

I couldn’t breathe. Something was wrong and I needed air. Kellan sensed it, so he grabbed my hand and led me outside on the balcony for some fresh air.

“I can’t breathe, Kel. I feel like I’m going to pass out.”

He gripped my shoulders tight.

“Look at me. Calm down. Take in a slow deep breath. Come on, Jill. You can do it. Slow, deep breath.” He stared into my eyes.

Suddenly, my heart started to calm itself and my breathing returned to normal.

“Good girl.” He gave a small smile. “You, my darling, just had a panic attack.”

“It’s just everything that’s going on.”

“You mean it’s Drew. You were fine until you danced with him.”

I smacked him on the chest. “Why the hell would you let me dance with him?”

“Ouch. Because he and Lia were the couple standing next to us and he’s your friend. Just like us. You didn’t freak out when we danced.”