The Best Man's Bride

by Jamie Dallas

  “What did Evan say?” he asked, more to distract himself than her.

  “He didn’t say much. But I told him after this launch, I’d never work with Sun Tech again.”

  One more reminder she was leaving.

  “I could try to buy his share.” He couldn’t afford it, but he could try.

  “And you would, what? Rule over your little kingdom by yourself?” Hailey asked. “Do you really want that? You’re on your own enough as it is.”

  “I’d hire help.”

  “And be the boss? You’d be lonely at your job and at home. I hate to see you like this.”

  What did it matter? She was leaving, his launch was at risk, and Evan was selling. Sun Tech was changing, and at the moment it felt like he was losing everything.

  “I’ll be fine.”

  She let out a sigh and suddenly seemed resolute. Her next words made his soul sing and his brain panic.

  “Jace, I love you.” The emotion in her face matched her words. “I did it because I love you. And I don’t want you to be alone and cut off from everyone.”

  She loved him. She told him so. And even if she hadn’t, he could read the words plain as day in her expressive eyes.

  He couldn’t do this. Why hadn’t he let her walk away? Why did he have to drag it out?

  She ran her hand down his arm and grabbed his hand. “Say something.”

  Numb, he shifted his gaze to over the top of her head. “You can’t possibly mean that.”

  Her blunt nails dug into his palm. “I mean it. I know what I feel, and I don’t need you telling me what I do or do not feel.”

  She released her grip and shoved her shaking hands into the pockets of her black slacks.

  He wanted to reach out and calm her, but what could he say when he knew he should run for the hills? Loving Hailey would rip him open, and then he’d truly be left with nothing.

  “I don’t think we should do this anymore,” he said stiffly, staring at the tree behind her instead of at her beloved face.

  “Jace,” her voice was soft with pleading. “This isn’t a fatal diagnosis. Or a disaster. It’s love. It’s a gift.”

  “This isn’t a disaster yet.” He couldn’t hide the accusation in his voice. “But where is this supposed to go? Are we supposed to fall in love and get…married?” He could almost picture Hailey in a white dress, waiting for him at the end of the aisle. Assuming she wouldn’t run. “Sure, it would be sunshine and happiness for a brief period. But then what? What happens when you wake up one morning and realize you don’t want to do this anymore? What happens when you’re bored with us and decide our time has come? Where does that leave me?”

  “We talk. We work it out. We can be two responsible adults in a relationship. You don’t run the second that trouble shows up.”

  “You’ve already run once.”

  The second the words were out, he wished he could take them back.

  Hailey’s entire body went rigid. Her jaw jutted forward, and her chest swelled. He had crossed a line.

  “How dare you throw that in my face.” The ice in her voice was heavy and dangerous. “That was a completely different situation, and you know it. You’re dying a thousand deaths over a scenario that hasn’t even happened.”

  “Really? Because you were ready to run today.” He crossed his arms and stared stubbornly back at her.

  “I left my bag at your place for a reason. I wanted to tell you I was leaving.”

  “Great. And what am I supposed to do with that information? Tell you I’ll pay for the hotel room?”

  “No, it’s to show you I care too much to up and disappear on you. I wanted to show I wasn’t running.”

  “That’s a lot of effort for a relationship we both know won’t work out.”

  Just like that, her entire face turned ashy gray. The fight left her body. “You really are an asshole.”

  He flinched at her very accurate assessment. However, he knew one thing for certain—this was for the best. She’d see. Give it another few months, and she would realize this was the kindest thing he could do.

  Hailey stood from the park bench and dusted off her pants with calm, controlled movements, but when her gaze landed back on him, it was hot and laser-focused.

  “You know what? You need to take a good, long look at your life. If you ever wonder why you’re lonely, it’s because anytime someone steps up, you push them away. At least I had the courage to stand up and go for what I wanted.”

  “Hailey.”

  “Don’t bother.” Then she grabbed her black purse and walked away. Her red hair swished behind her, gently waving goodbye.

  And it ripped him in half.

  More than anything, he wanted to follow her. Every instinct in his body told him to stop her and apologize.

  But he sat, super glued to the park bench, as he watched her disappear in the sea of city pedestrians.

  It was for the best.

  Letting out the breath he was holding, he stood from the bench and headed toward a bar he hadn’t been to since Hailey started staying at his place.

  A dim bar and a strong cocktail were exactly the respite he needed. He needed to review his contract with Evan and get his business partner back on track.

  He slid into a sleek black stool and ordered a double shot of whiskey, neat. His hand shook as he tipped the contents down his throat, savoring the burn of the alcohol.

  He wanted to forget. To forget the hurt on Hailey’s face before she walked away. To forget the sadness in his mother’s eyes the last time she kissed him good night. To forget this emotional mess he’d made of his life.

  Two hours and a couple of drinks later, he returned to his condo. In less than a week, tenants and owners would be moving in. The building would buzz with activity of residents, and this period with Hailey would be a long, distant memory.

  The lights flicked on as he stepped inside the foyer.

  He squinted his eyes against the brightness of the cool white walls and moved into the living room. The black and white room that he used to love now felt uninviting.

  As if in a trance, he walked around the room, and then into the kitchen.

  The flowery mugs were no longer in the drying rack, and the stems and petals of the flowers she had bought the other day stuck out from the trash bin.

  All the color she had added to his life, gone. In its place was a cold emptiness he had never realized was there before. His life was back to black and white.

  It was exactly what he wanted. Hopefully, after a few days, he’d begin to believe it.

  The door to Hailey’s room was closed, as though she was working or changing.

  He reached to open it, then hesitated. She could still be here. She could be asleep, or angry, or wanted time alone.

  So he knocked, twice. The echo in the hall and in the room was hollow. Empty.

  Slowly, he opened the door, pushing it into the room with a quiet dread.

  He closed his eyes and bit his lip.

  All those long evenings in her arms, those beautiful mornings next to her, the sound of her laughter, the way she glowed when she came up with a brilliant idea, the softness in her eyes when she looked at him…

  Gone.

  It was all gone.

  The closet was empty, and the futon was folded up. Except for the faint scent of citrus, there was no sign Hailey was ever there.

  She did exactly what she said she would do, and exactly what he claimed he’d wanted. She’d left.

  What he hadn’t expected was the excruciating emptiness that haunted him.

  Like Hailey had taken a vital piece of him with her when she’d walked out.

  Chapter Thirteen

  The night of the launch, Jace dressed carefully. He grabbed his favorite white shirt and paired it with his dark gray suit. He pulled a navy tie around his neck.

  This would be Sun Tech’s last launch as he knew it, and he wanted to look his best. The fact that he hadn’t seen Hailey for two days and she
might be there had nothing to do with his careful dressing.

  The tie knot was way off. Scowling, he redid it, flipping the ends of the tie around as he reknotted it.

  The launch party was on the fifth floor of the Sun Tech building, which held the community and theater space on one side and a gym on the other. The floor had a decent view and allowed for easy access to the staged apartments.

  People had been buzzing in and out of the building all morning. He hadn’t heard a word from Evan during the course of the setup, and the one time he went downstairs, Hailey wasn’t there. Not that he had expected her to show up.

  Twenty minutes before they opened their doors, Jace took the elevator down to the common area. He stepped out onto the floor and stopped short.

  The space had been transformed with low lights, tall cocktail tables, and a beautiful display of food and art. The music was on loud enough to hear but low enough for people to talk.

  Jace wandered through the area, taking it all in. A virtual reality machine was set up in the theater space, tech demonstrations were in every corner, and he even spotted a couple drones out by the balcony. He walked past a table with a tasteful display of glossy brochures fanned around a 3-D printed model of their building. Sun Tech’s name was even etched on the glass souvenirs.

  Hailey had outdone herself. His investors were going to be pleased. Beyond pleased.

  He continued around the room, looking at the displays and Hailey’s genius. He wasn’t looking for her. That sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach was nerves, not misery.

  He stopped short at the bar.

  A drink was what the doctor ordered. He read through the little menu of specialty cocktails.

  “Can I interest you in a Gin and Technology? It’s a decent cocktail,” the bartender asked with a smile.

  “I’ll take a whiskey. Neat.” He set the menu down.

  Behind him, he heard a sharp whistle.

  “Damn,” Evan said, as he took in the setup. “Hailey outdid herself this time.”

  Evan showed up. And truth be told, Jace didn’t know if he wanted to punch the man or hug him.

  He studied his soon-to-be ex business partner, who stuffed his hands in his pants pockets and avoided eye contact.

  Emotional repression was probably the best option in this case.

  He grabbed his whiskey and took a sip. “She did despite the hell we both put her through.”

  “She really is incredible.” Evan stepped back as a man in a white suit carried a heavy platter of delicious-looking appetizers past them. “I messed up, and I’d like to do something about it.”

  Jace stretched his palm then curled his fingers. Evan decided now was the time to try to set things right? While he appreciated that Evan wanted to make amends, his timing was shit. This could have happened weeks ago.

  “Amends for Sun Tech or with Hailey?” he found himself asking.

  “At least with you and Hailey,” Evan said before he leaned over the bar to order a drink.

  The hired staff efficiently worked, setting up the last few details. The room hummed with the clatter of platters and silverware, hurried footsteps, and last-minute directions. Even with the din, he didn’t miss the click of heels against the tiled floor.

  His heart halted with a jerk before pulsing long, slow, heavy beats.

  She was here.

  Swallowing hard, he pivoted. He wanted to see her, to see if she missed him as much as he missed her.

  Even in the dim lighting, she was gorgeous in a dark, form-fitting cocktail dress. Her hair was up in a tight knot and her bangs grazed her big eyes. A slim gold bangle circled one wrist, moving up and down her arm as she tucked a loose strand behind her ears.

  Every nerve ending in his body was on fire.

  Just like she’d promised, despite his doubts and Evan’s innate need to be an asshole, she hadn’t run. The smile on her face was pasted firmly in place as she approached them both. A little microphone sat in her ear, and she spoke quietly into it before she squared her shoulders.

  “Okay, gentlemen. The party starts in five minutes. A few early guests have arrived, and they are heading up now.”

  He couldn’t take his eyes off her. He barely heard a word as she ran through her list of last-minute details. The second she finished, a couple of guests walked in.

  Clapping her hands together, her lips pulled into a semblance of a smile. “Showtime. Enjoy yourselves. If you have any questions, come find me.”

  He followed as she walked away. “Hail—”

  “Let her go,” Evan interrupted. “We’ve got business to take care of.”

  He followed Evan’s gaze to a short round man with a full beard who entered the room.

  An investor. Someone he couldn’t blow off even if he wanted. He watched Hailey disappear around the corner.

  “Since when you do care what happens with the business?” he muttered under his breath.

  “Since I realized how much we could sell it for. This launch impacts the value of this company.”

  Jace shifted his attention back to the investor and pasted a smile that he hoped didn’t look like a snarl on his face. He’d talk with the investor now and catch Hailey later.

  However, the second he was done talking with the investor, more guests had arrived, vying for attention, asking questions, demanding his time.

  This was what he wanted, he reminded himself again and again as he turned to each new guest with a smile. Hailey’s red hair caught the corner of his eye, and he couldn’t help but stare for a brief second before turning back to a prospective client.

  More than anything he wanted to just walk away, wrap his arms around her, and hold her close. But as one client walked away, another filled their spot. And for each client, he bared his teeth in a smile.

  He focused his attention on the woman who now stepped into his path.

  Megan Sharp.

  He blinked at her, taking in the bright green dress that showed off her dark skin and her friendly smile.

  “Jace, thanks for the invite to this event. I really enjoyed the virtual reality machine.”

  Hailey had added Megan to the invite list, and sure enough, Megan had shown up. This was the one bright note in the whole evening.

  “Megan, I’m glad you could make it.” For the first time that evening, the words felt true. “Would you like a tour of a condo?”

  “Of course I would.” Her smile flashed white, and she picked up a cocktail. “Lead the way.”

  He caught a glimpse of Hailey as she orchestrated from the sidelines. She didn’t even look in his direction.

  Jace led Megan to a unit on the twelfth floor, which offered a decent view and a great selection of the condo’s functions.

  Megan turned around in the kitchen at the end of the tour. “I am seriously impressed.”

  “Thanks,” he said, appreciating the compliment after all his hard work.

  She leaned against the island and crossed one leg in front of the other. “After meeting you at the cocktail event the other evening, I couldn’t help but think that it would be a prime opportunity for my company to team up with yours. You provide the technology; we provide the homes. Everything high-end and seamless. A new experience to custom-built homes.”

  Of course this was how it went down. Houston finally noticed Sun Tech right when he was in disarray.

  “To be honest, I’m not sure how much longer Sun Tech will be around.” The words sounded flat to his ears. “My business partner is thinking of selling.”

  Megan nodded, thinking his words over. “Would you consider consulting for us? We think teaming technology with high-end single-family homes will be a great service to offer. We can become a one-stop shop to outfit and upgrade new and existing residences.”

  Jace tipped his head to the side. “Single family?”

  “Yes. And we are interested in your consulting services.”

  He rolled the words over in his head. Consult for home technology. Why not?
He had plenty of experience. There was a lot less pressure from investors. It was more mobile. And he could start over with just him.

  He clinked his glass against hers. “You know what? I’ll think about it. Let’s talk next week.”

  *

  The entire evening was driving Hailey up the wall. She’d known tonight wasn’t going to be easy, but after the rush of setting up and making sure clients and potential buyers found their way to the event, she started counting down the minutes.

  Over the course of the evening, she could feel his eyes on her. She knew it with the confidence of a lover who knew her man.

  Only Jace wasn’t her man, and she wasn’t his lover anymore.

  But if there was one thing she was leaving with tonight, it was her dignity. She’d followed through with her word and contract, even if it wore her down to the very marrow of her bones. Having Jace within reach the entire night was pure torture.

  When the last minutes finally ticked by, she, Evan, and Jace artfully maneuvered the last of the guests out and locked the door with a satisfying click.

  It was the first time the three of them were together since that nightmare in Evan’s office.

  “Well, that was a success. We have a few weeks’ worth of appointments and showings booked,” Evan said as they headed back up to the fifth floor. “We’ll have these condos sold in no time.”

  “Great.” And it was. Truly. Her work was done.

  It wasn’t her problem what happened with Sun Tech, and at this point, all she wanted was to go back to her hotel and pass out. Unfortunately, her job wasn’t done until everything was cleared out. “I had better go oversee the cleanup.”

  “Hailey?” Evan followed her to the elevators.

  “Hmm?” She pushed the up button.

  “I was wondering if we could talk for a minute.”

  The past few weeks had taken a toll on Evan. Dark circles were visible under his eyes, and his normally flushed skin was pale.

  “We can talk upstairs,” she relented. “I need to make sure the staff has everything under control.”

  Jace followed them onto the elevator. No one spoke a word during the tense ride to the fifth floor. When the doors finally slid open, Hailey bolted off the car.