Something Old (The Jilted Series Book 1) Page 6

  “Welcome, gentlemen. Please make your way over to the table in the far corner, and there you’ll receive your seating arrangement.” The greeter gestures to a table where a lineup of people stand.

  We thank them and make our way across the room. A waiter walks past us with a tray of sparkling white wine, and I quickly grab two glasses and hand one to Wyatt.

  “Thanks,” he says.

  “I wonder why they’re doing it like this now.”

  We watch what’s going on at the table where people are handing guests tickets. When it’s finally our turn, we step up.

  “Good evening, gentlemen. We’re doing things differently tonight,” a lady in a bright-pink dress announces. “This is kind of like a blind date night.”

  I inwardly groan. Great. I’m going to have to spend the night with someone I don’t really want to.

  “How does it work?” Wyatt asks, his eyebrow raised.

  “Okay, guys get this color ticket, and ladies get this one. In a little while, we will draw pairs, and then you’ll sit together for the night.” She giggles, clearly loving this idea while I bet everyone else, like myself, is cringing.

  “What do you do about couples who come together?” Wyatt queries.

  I was thinking that same thing.

  “We automatically pair them up. This is just a little fun for those single ladies and gentlemen.” She smiles and rips off two tickets, handing Wyatt and me one each. We walk away from the table.

  “I don’t know about you, but I really wish I could leave now. I don’t want to spend my night with some random person,” I say.

  “I’m in the same boat as you. If I had known this, I would have completely skipped that table and sat anywhere I wanted.”

  I laugh. “This was all you.” I shove him in the shoulder, and he shakes his head. “So, who do we have to mingle with tonight, or can I simply slink away in the corner?”

  I already made my donation to the charity we’re here for.

  “Right now, I want to slink away myself. Maybe next time I’ll ask if this is going to happen again before I commit us to it.”

  “That’s a smart idea.” I throw back the rest of the wine in my glass. “I need something stronger than this.”

  “Me too.”

  We make our way to the bar in the opposite corner and order two scotches. After moving aside, we stand together and watch people as they enter and then move to the matchmaking table.

  When my eyes flick back to the entrance, three beauties step through. Brilliant smiles light the room. My focus adjusts, and my stomach flips like a pancake in a skillet. Scarlett.

  Vivian flanks one side of her, and another brunette flanks the other. Their simultaneous laughter fills the room, and all focus turns on the trio.

  I take a step in her direction then pause when I see a young man with a dollar-sign smile approach them. Oh, no, he doesn’t. They all greet him with kisses on the cheek. What the hell? He then pulls Scarlett in for a hug, and the pleasure that was surging through me a moment ago turns into something else. Perhaps a little green monster has taken up residence on my shoulder.

  “Where are you going?” Wyatt asks.

  I don’t respond, instead surging forward with determination.

  Vivian spots me first. A massive grin spreads across her features. She backhands Scarlett on the arm, which is when Scarlett spots me. My eyes travel down her body, gowned in a cream silk dress that complements her dark features perfectly. When our eyes connect, the pink in her cheeks makes me want to high five myself. My night has made a complete one-eighty.

  I come to a stop beside the man they were greeting. He swings in my direction and holds out his hand. “Whoa, hey there, Lachlan. I’m Theo. Pleasure to meet you.”

  My hand flexes at my side, but I decide to play nice and take his, giving it a firm shake. “Hey, nice to meet you, too.” Facing Scarlett, I say, “You look amazing. As do you, Vivian.” I turn to the third member of their group. “I’m sorry, I don’t think we’ve met.”

  The other brunette stares at me for a moment then shakes her head. “Sorry, I’m Dylan. Scarlett’s friend. I know exactly who you are. Great game the other night.” She runs her hands down her black dress.

  “Wait, you know each other?” Theo chimes in.

  I open my mouth to answer when Scarlett cuts me off. “Yes, we met a couple of years ago. Lachlan, this is my younger brother, Theo.” Her manicured hand gestures to the young man beside me.

  The green-eyed monster struts off my shoulder.

  “Nice to meet you.” I pause and face Scarlett. “I didn’t know you were coming to this thing.”

  Everyone laughs.

  Scarlett's eyes twinkle like the stars in the sky. “I wouldn’t have come if these two didn’t come with me. I hate coming to these events alone.”

  “Plus, Dad wanted you here,” Theo says, but I sense he doesn’t have much love for his father either.

  Scarlett rolls her eyes. “Well, we know how I feel about him.”

  “Craig is here as well,” Theo adds. “Do I have your permission to hurt him now?”

  My eyes narrow on Scarlett. What the hell is her brother talking about? Did someone hurt her?

  “Dylan said she’d castrate him for me,” Scarlett says with a grin.

  I cringe like I’ve been kicked in the balls, and Theo’s face mirrors mine.

  Theo scoffs. “Of course, she would.” Dylan makes a scissor snip with her fingers, and the women giggle.

  “Is there something I should know?” I ask, narrowing my eyes, unsure if I want the answer or not.

  “Please meet Doctor Dylan Rhodes, Queen of Vasectomies,” Scarlett announces proudly.

  My man bits have every right to want to hide right now.

  “And that right there is the reception I get all the time when I tell people—especially men—what I do,” Dylan says as she gestures to a speechless Theo and me. “I’m never going to find myself a man,” she groans.

  A voice clears behind us, and I spin and come face to face with an older man. White hair is in perfect order on his head, and he’s wearing a black suit and a deep-set frown.

  “Hello, Theodore and Scarlett. Thank you for coming, and your friends as well.”

  “Hello, Dad,” they both say in unison.

  The light in Scarlett’s eyes dies. This is someone who causes her great pain. I don’t need her to tell me that. The way she steps back and sort of hides behind her friends is a clear indicator of how their relationship is. He shows her he’s powerful, and she cowers. I don’t like it.

  I want to run away and hide. Instead, I’m cowering behind Vivian and using her as a shield from my father’s disapproving glare. I shouldn’t be scared of him, but I don’t know what to do. He has a way of making me feel so small, like an ant that can be squashed.

  Dad turns to Lachlan. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Bill Albright. I see you’ve met my son and daughter, along with her friends.”

  My back straightens.

  “Yes, Scarlett and I are old friends. We met a couple of years ago,” Lachlan answers.

  Dad’s eyebrows shoot up, and he casts a cold glare in my direction. “Oh, is that right?” Dad glances around the room, seeming uninterested in the conversation, then gestures to someone to come join us.

  I want to crawl away and die.

  Craig steps in beside Dad, his depressed look from the other night gone. He’s clean shaven, and his hair is perfectly combed into place. Looks like Dad hooked him up with a ticket.

  Vivian gives Craig a disapproving up-and-down glance. “Let me introduce you to Scarlett’s ex-husband. I should know; I’m her lawyer.”

  Lachlan’s eyes burn into mine, and my body begins to curl into itself as if a heavy weight is crushing me into the ground. I want to explain everything to him. He’s the last person I expected to see here tonight, and damn, he looks like sex in a suit.

  Craig clears his throat. “We’re figuring a few things out.�
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  “Excuse me! There’s no way we’re getting back together.” I laugh, but I’m certainly not amused. “Our divorce was finalized a couple of weeks ago. I’m done.” My eyes pierce my dad before they pierce Craig. “Both you and my father need to get it through your thick heads that we are not getting back together. We’re over. This conversation is over. Don’t bring it up again.”

  “Scarlett,” Dad warns.

  “Don’t Scarlett me. I’m done with you, too. Just get out of my life, both of you.” I flick a glare between both Dad and Craig.

  Craig’s cheeks grow crimson, and he nods before turning away. I hope he takes the damn hint this time.

  “Always the embarrassment, Scarlett. What Lachlan here must think of you,” Dad says.

  I swallow, ready to take him on. No more hiding from this man. I won’t take this.

  “Actually, I have a similar issue with my own father. Always intervening when his opinion isn’t needed. I’m sorry, Scarlett, that you had to defend yourself.” Lachlan stares my father down, and Dad suddenly realizes he’s not going to win this showdown.

  Theo has completely shut up, like he does when it comes to Dad.

  “Enjoy your evening.” Dad sips his wine and leaves.

  Tension rolls over the group like a snowplow. What a way to ruin the evening.

  “Um . . . sorry about my outburst,” I say.

  Vivian reefs me into her arms. “I’m so damn proud of you. I was shaking in my heels standing up to him; he scares the hell out of me. But I couldn’t let him throw you under the bus like that.”

  She releases me, and I sigh.

  “Damn, Scarlett. Go you. That was not nice of him, bringing Craig into this.” Theo rubs his cheek. He’s like the younger version of Dad, only not as nasty. He’s the complete opposite on that scale.

  I step closer to Lachlan and touch his arm. “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.” His deep voice slides right through me. The urge to kiss him takes over, and I lean up and press my lips to his cheek, inhaling his woodsy scent. It makes my stomach dance like it’s high on a drug.

  “I’m sorry about my father and Craig.” I stare down at my bright-red heels.

  Lachlan’s finger touches my chin and lifts my face to meet his gaze. “You have nothing to apologize for. Some people need to be told more than once. I get it. My father is the same kind of person.”

  His fingers slide over my flushed cheek, and my heart pounds loudly in my chest. Perhaps it’s fate we’ve met again.

  “I suggest we get some drinks before I lose my crap at someone since I didn’t get my chance just now.” Dylan laughs, always the outspoken one.

  “Your turn will come.” Vivian hooks her arm through Dylan’s.

  Theo agrees. “Another drink sounds good.”

  “Did you girls get your tickets?” I ask.

  As if it was planned, they lift them and wave them with a smile.

  “I have every hope of meeting Mr. Right tonight,” Dylan announces. “Although, it appears to be slim pickings around here. Please tell me there are more single men coming.” Her pleading eyes turn on me.

  I shrug. “I have no idea. For your sake, I hope so.”

  “Damn straight.” She struts off with Vivian and Theo.

  I turn and glance up at Lachlan. “You coming?”

  Lachlan takes my hand and holds me back from following my friends. I freeze. Warmth spreads up my arm and deep into my chest, spreading from the inside out.

  “Wait a minute, Scarlett.” He pauses then says, “I don’t want you to feel like you need to explain anything to me. What’s happened in the past between you and that Craig guy is your business. We were only married for a day, so what we had doesn’t compare.”

  I swallow. “If I’m being honest, I felt more alive with you in those twenty-four hours than I did throughout my entire relationship with Craig. Don’t doubt what we had. It was special, but I wasn’t ready. I got scared.” I can’t believe how easily that slipped out. Each word of it is the truth.

  “Well, wifey, perhaps we should go on some dates.” He waggles his eyebrows.

  “Ex-wifey,” I correct then continue. “I should also tell you that no one knows I married you. Only Vivian and Dylan know the whole story. I also don’t know if I’m ready to start dating anyone.” I hold my breath to stop my fears from pouring out. He doesn’t need to know everything.

  His thumb rubs the back of my hand. “I understand. I didn’t tell anyone except my agent, who is also my closest friend. Looks like we both kept each other's secret. I was in a full-on party stage of my life back then and did some stupid things. That’s not to say choosing you was stupid. Getting married was stupid. If I was smart, I would have fought harder to date you. Get to know you better. We could have had something special. I feel it now. A pull toward you.”

  His words catch me off guard, and I finally expel the breath from my lungs.

  “Well, I do owe you a date, don’t I? Maybe we can start there.” Even as I say it, I feel like it’s all too fast after Craig. What will people think? His family?

  “That’s right, you do. Do you think you could give me your number now?”

  I catch the playful twinkle in his eyes. “How about we see how the night turns out? And let’s not run off and get married again. You should know I’ve never gotten that drunk again; that night cured me.” I laugh at the memory of what I remember, but there are still some blank spots from that night. If the church didn’t have a camera, I wouldn’t have believed I’d gotten married.

  “But as for tonight, I have every intention of wooing you the right way.”

  Butterflies dance in my stomach. Lachlan keeps hold of my hand and leads me to where my friends are with Theo. I can’t believe I’m standing beside Lachlan. The one man who brought sparks into my life is here. I thought, after years apart, there wouldn’t be any kind of feelings.

  I guess I was wrong.

  Lachlan doesn’t leave my side, and neither do the girls, which I’m thankful for. A prickling sensation runs up my spine. Someone is watching me; I can feel it. Looking away from Dylan, who’s standing in front of me, my eyes connect with Craig’s. His eyes bore into me like laser beams. His jaw is set, and his mouth forms a line. I remember that look all too well. I blink, and he turns away, and my unease settles down.

  “Are you all right?” Lachlan’s warm breath hits my ear.

  Clearing my throat, I say, “Yeah. All good. They’re about to start picking tickets, which is great because I’m starving.”

  “Don’t worry about him. You gave him his shot, and he ruined it.”

  My cheeks heat. “How did you—?” My words are lost when I glance up.

  A small smile is on his lips; it almost seems like a pity grin.

  “It’s not hard to notice him standing there staring. I’ve caught him quite a few times tonight. Hell, he’s even been giving me the death stare because I’ve been standing beside you, and don’t get me started on your father. If looks could kill, I think I’d be dead.”

  Laughter bubbles out of me. “No, that’s just his face all the time. Just ask Theo. It’s like it’s his permanent setting.”

  Lachlan chuckles, and it causes a surge of pleasure through me. I wish I could remember what his lips felt like on mine. It’s as though the memory has been erased because of my time with Craig. Now I only remember what Craig was like, and that isn’t pleasant. At the time, I’d thought things between us were good. I’m a woman with needs as well.

  Lachlan’s hand takes mine again. “Just try not to worry about them. You are better off without either of them. Especially Craig.”

  I raise my eyebrows and give a small grin. “You’re just saying that because you think you have another chance with me.” Memories of losing my mother flood me, and fresh tears fill my eyes. I quickly blink them away, not wanting Lachlan to ask. I’m not ready to delve into that part of my past.

  “I’m hoping I can have another chance. I�
�m even being a good boy tonight. Hardly drinking anything. But if they don’t feed me soon, then the drinks might start taking over.” We both laugh. Then, he stops, and his heavy stare captures mine. It causes me to swallow. “You know, we could get out of here and go find a different place to eat. We’ve made an appearance and donations, so what’s stopping us from leaving?” He releases my hand and, instead, wraps it around my shoulders.

  His invitation is almost tempting.

  “If you don’t leave with him, then I’m going to,” Dylan says beside me.

  I whip around to face her.

  “Go do something awesome with the hottie,” she adds.

  My lip slips between my teeth, and I bite down.

  “I agree with her,” Lachlan says into my other ear.

  “Gee, you two aren’t half obvious, are you? When did you plan this?” I give a teasing smile.

  Dylan laughs. “Scarlett, you’ve been living in a work bubble for too long. Go have some fun. You’re a single woman now. It’s time to start living again instead of being a workaholic.” She gives me a don’t mess with me stare.

  “What about Dad?”

  “Who cares about him? You made an appearance. That’s all that matters. You’re only here because of who your father is—especially after Thor, here, kind of put him in his place.”

  I smirk, and Lachlan chuckles beside me. “Thor?”

  Her eyes brighten. “Yeah, look at him. Blond, built like a god. And, honey, he’s hot. Complete Chris Hemsworth.” She cocks an eyebrow.

  “I’m not sure.” I bite my lip.

  Everything in me is screaming to go with him, but the guilt over leaving would be worse and overrides it. I know my father will be disappointed. Come to think of it, he only ever is disappointed in me and Theo—Theo less, compared to me. Theo is a pleaser, though, always wanting to make sure everyone is happy. Everyone else before himself.

  “Go. Give me your ticket and get out of here.”