Page 50 of The Spare

“Yes. Fantastic spread. Absolutely magnificent,” he chimes in. I have to fight my eye roll. What a load of hogwash. I have no doubt they’ve found fault with everything from the moment they arrived.

“Thank you,” Sam replies smoothly, yet I don’t miss the way his muscles go rigid beside me. “My brilliant wife succeeded in pulling off every detail of this wedding while managing a busy medical practice.” He turns, placing a kiss to my temple. “She never ceases to surprise me with how she can run circles around every man I know.” He winks.

Heat spreads over my cheeks. I’m certain his words are lost on these arrogant assholes, but I appreciate his trying all the same.

Brian Lewis chimes in next, flashing a patronizing grin as he slaps Sam’s shoulder. “We were just saying, Sam, you’re a brave man. Taking on a doctor’s schedule isn’t for the faint of heart. We keep Alexis so buried in chart notes and weekend coverage at the clinic, we were worried she wouldn’t even make it down the aisle today.” He chuckles.

Who keeps me buried in what?

He has got to be kidding with this bullshit. I’m the damn CEO there. These two dickheads don’t bury me in anything but their inflated egos.

Mrs. Howell lets out a polite, tinkling laugh behind her pearl necklace. “Oh, absolutely. We always tell the young associate wives that medicine is a jealous mistress. But I suppose in your case, Alexis, Sam will just have to get used to eating takeout.”

The group of them all laugh. It’s a tight, vapid chuckle that dismisses my career and my presence in one breath. It’s the same casual belittling I’ve endured since the day I joined the practice. And it only got worse once my grandfather announced he was retiring, and I was the new CEO. My mouth opens to deliver my usual deflection, but before I can say a word, I feel Sam’s fingers subtly tighten against my waist.

His dark gaze bounces between Howell and Lewis. A dangerous glint passes over his features. It’s clear he’s picked up on the silent disrespect under their phony smiles. Sam doesn’t lose his polite grin, but his posture shifts. He’s radiating an effortless authority that looms over their smug circle.

“Well, I wouldn’t call it taking on anything, gentlemen,” Sam says, his voice smooth as silk, but carrying an edge that makes Dr. Howell’s smile falter. “Alexis is the most relentless, hardworking woman I’ve ever known. She has an unmatched talent for managing exhausting workloads and dealing with arrogant, difficult personalities.” Sam gives a poignant pause before continuing, stressing who he’s referencing. “This makes her overqualified for just about any challenge she attempts to conquer. Including me.” He nods in my direction. “If anything, I’m just lucky she allows me to bring her takeout.”

Brian Lewis blinks, his patronizing smirk freezing instantly. Mrs. Lewis clears her throat, suddenly very interested in her wineglass.

“In fact,” Sam continues, giving my hip an affectionate squeeze. “I’m looking forward to making sure her dinner is hot and ready every single night she comes home from providing excellent care to the patients of Hanover. But I appreciate your concern.”

Dr. Howell coughs into his hand, shifting uncomfortably. “Ah, yes. Well, you two make a strong team indeed. Congratulations again, both of you.” They offer hasty nods and quickly retreat back toward the bar. Good riddance.

I stare up at Sam. My heart is doing an unexpected, traitorous dance. “You didn’t have to do that.”

“Yes, I did. Nobody talks down to my wife in front of me, Lex.” Sam leans down so his lips brush the shell of my ear, sending a shiver straight down my spine. “I don’t care who the fuck they are.”

My wife. Is that all that was? Protecting what’s perceived to be his? Christ on a cracker, Alexis. Stop letting his words get you all swoony eyed. This is all an act remember.

Over Sam’s shoulder, my gaze drifts across the room and lands on a figure standing near the picture window. It’s Chad. He’s standing beside his wife, holding a cocktail and glaring across the room at me with pure, unadulterated venom.

I’ve never fully understood why he hates me so intensely. He was the one who cheated on me. And he barely skipped a beat marrying her after I left him. But as I stand here in my white dress, with Sam Lee’s hand anchored at my waist and half the room hanging on our every move, the truth finally hits me.

Regardless of who broke up with whom, Chad doesn’t hate me because I moved on. It was an ego thing. He’s pissed because deep down, beneath all his arrogance, he’s always known it would’ve never worked out for us long-term. He’d never be good enough for me. My heart was off-limits. Stolen by someone who hadn’t returned it.

And seeing me here today, marrying Sam Lee no less, has proved it to the entire town.

The rest of the reception continues like a choreographed dance. The girls are beaming in my direction. Even Claire. Sam has apparently brought his acting A-game to this wedding and reception. My eyes take a sweep about the room to see if there is anyone else in attendance I hadn’t noticed before. Then I spot his mother.

Justine’s face is sharp, her eyes narrow as she glares in our direction. The reason for Sam’s over the top acting skills suddenly becomes clear. He was right. If her tight examination is any indication, this next year is going to be complicated.

The room falls silent with the abrupt clink of a fork against crystal. Sebastian stands up, adjusting his tie, and Sam leans in, placing his hand on my thigh. I nearly jump at the unexpected jolt of electricity. If the next year is like this, I’m going to need to start taking anxiety medication to keep my nerves in check.

Sebastian raises his glass and begins, “I’d say may your marriage be as surprising as this engagement was. But honestly, I’m not sure what took you two so long.” He chuckles. “I knew this day would eventually come. There have never been two people more destined to be together. To Sam and Lexi.”

“To Sam and Lexi,” the crowd joins in. Everyone clinks their glasses, and my cheeks pink. I’m a bit shocked by Sebastian’s statement. I wouldn’t have thought anyone would still picture the two of us together after the war of the last twenty years. Especially Sebastian. He had a front-row seat to his brother’s abrupt change. Well, when he was home from college. But then again, he seemed so distant when he’d come back to visit the few times I’d seen him. I think the breakup with his high school girlfriend had hit him harder than anyone knew.

Thinking of this time causes my face to fall. Everything seemed to change that summer. One day I’m hugging Sebastian goodbye as he prepared to leave for college, the next I feel I’ve lost him and his brother. Sam had been my easygoing, silly best friend. Then, in the blink of an eye, he was not only distant, he was angry.

Mean.

I can’t help but wonder if my situation didn’t contribute to it somehow. Not that I’ll ever accept any of the blame. That falls squarely at his feet.

I’d been in counseling following my parents’ death the year before. Where previously I’d been a gregarious, outgoing girl, their deaths had caused me to become much more introverted. Had Sam not known how to handle it? Was it easier to pull away than say the wrong thing? Did he not want to make promises to an emotionally fragile girl? It was probably easier to simply walk away. But why had he felt the need to be so mean? Flashbacks to the homecoming dance return and a sharp, familiar pain tears through me.

Stop, Alexis. This isn’t the day to linger on heartaches of the past. Whether it’s real or not, enjoy this wedding. It will probably be your last.