Page 79 of Calling a Cease-Fire

He locked his jaw, and I couldn’t tell if he thought that idea was ridiculous or genius.

Before I got a chance to ask him, we were being called back to the reception. We followed the group back to the area where tables and a dance floor were set up, and Zack pretty much avoided me for the rest of the wedding.

As the minutes ticked by, my annoyance with him seemed to grow by leaps and bounds. And I was sensing Charlie was sick of hearing me vent about it. But he was the only one who kind of knew what was going on, and I needed to talk to someone about it.

“Let’s dance,” Charlie finally said, cutting off my latest rant.

I sighed and reluctantly followed him to the dance floor. Maybe moving around a bit and getting lost in the music would help the time fly by, and I could get out of there before marching up to Zack and tearing into him in front of everyone.

“You weren’t kidding,” Charlie said with a chuckle as we moved to a slow song. “Your boy looks like his head is about to explode.”

“Don’t care.” We were literally dancing with at least a foot between us. Zack couldn’t act like we were even being inappropriate. Not that I would with Charlie. I loved him, but like a brother. “That’s his problem.”

Charlie tipped his chin over my shoulder. “Well, he looks like he’s ready to cut my dick off. So that’s now my problem. I’m kind of fond of it.” He chuckled. “Look, I’ll cover for you while you go figure out how to make it right with him.” With a wink, he added, “That poor guy needs to know you’re his, no matter who you’re here with tonight.”

I wanted to stomp my foot and scream. Because I didn’t really know what else I was supposed to do or say that I hadn’t already. “He just needs to get over it,” I grumbled instead.

“That’s likely not going to happen. Figure out a way to get through to him and make him realize he has nothing to worry about. For both of your sakes.”

I sighed and stole a glance over toward Zack. He rarely frowned, and the fact that he was so mopey was killing me. But the moment he realized I was focused on him, he quickly pulled his gaze away. How was I supposed to get through to him when he wouldn’t even look at me?

We ended our dance and walked over to the signature book table. Borrowing the pen, I jotted a quick message on a napkin then handed it to Charlie. “Wait a few minutes and then give him this for me.”

“Why? So I can get punched?”

“He won’t actually hit you. Not here. I know him better than that.” There was no way he would make a scene at his friend’s wedding, regardless of his own problems.

Charlie shook his head and started back toward the tables while I headed for the large open end of the barn the reception was being held in. As I angled for the door, I hoped I was making the right decision and not making matters worse.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

ZACK

I tracked Mia as she disappeared outside. Where the fuck was she going? And why wasn’t her little shit friend going with her? There was still a goddamn arsonist out there for crying out loud. Didn’t he even care about her at all? If she were there with me, I wouldn’t have let her out of my sight.

I took a deep breath. Dammit. Why was I being such a possessive asshole? It made me fucking crazy watching Charlie touch her while they danced, even if I knew deep down there wasn’t anything going on. And it wasn’t that I didn’t trust her. I did. With every cell in my body. But the uncertainty of our future looming over us reminded me over and over she might never be truly mine.

Charlie appeared suddenly in the chair next to me and held out a napkin.

I looked down at it and then sent him a glare. What did he want me to do with a napkin?

“Take it. It’s from Mia.”

I tore the thing from his hand, continuing to glare at him. I had no intention of reading it until he walked away.

“For what it’s worth, she’s spent the entire night fretting about how upset you are,” he said, then walked away as my eyes dropped to the folded paper he’d just delivered.

God, I really was an asshole. It wasn’t my intention. I just couldn’t seem to shake the sadness at not being with her tonight, and the jealousy that another guy was.

I unfolded the napkin and read the note.

We need to talk. Come around to the back of the barn.

My gut sank as I read the words. Was she going to read me the riot act? End things before the cake was even served? I couldn’t exactly blame her with the way I’d acted all night. My chest ached at the thought.

I couldn’t in good faith apologize for being jealous. But I could apologize for the way I’d behaved because of it.

With a heavy sigh, I tucked the note into my pocket and walked to the exit. Once outside of the barn, I turned the corner, heading around to the back—where all the photos with the bridal party were taken earlier.