Zero Forks - Cat Johnson Page 0,60

Even from across the room I recognized Greg.

He had a distinct way of walking, a cadence and stride I should be familiar with after four years together. And the reason we were no longer together was hanging on his arm.

Oh, he’d said he’d broken up with me because we were too different. The fact he’d moved in with Jana so quickly after he'd dumped me had me thinking she had at least a little something to do with our break-up.

Although, to be honest, if our relationship had been as good as I’d assumed, she wouldn’t have been able to break us up.

Maybe Greg was right. I was too gloomy, always looking at the glass as half empty. And I suppose I was no fun, like he said. At the end of the work week I wanted to put on PJs and watch a movie, not get dressed up and party all night.

Yup. All work and no play, that was me. Who would want to be with someone like that?

I lifted the glass to my lips and realized my hand was shaking. I forced a swallow past the tightness in my throat, but almost choked it back up when I saw Greg’s gaze zero in on me where I stood in the corner of the room. I should have hidden better.

He said something to Jana and then started in my direction.

Panicked, I looked for an escape and found none.

Dammit, I’d cornered myself. I was nowhere near an exit.

Hell, I’d even settle for a coat room or the kitchen at this point, but there was nothing at my end of the room but windows that didn’t open. Had they opened I might have seriously considered crawling out one.

Then he was there, looking me up and down. “Sarah.”

“Greg.” My heart pounded at least triple speed.

There was a good chance I was going to vomit. There was nothing in my stomach except champagne, and maybe the remains of this morning’s coffee, but no food. Still, it would be embarrassing. I’d be the talk of the family forever.

Greg had the nerve to make a show of glancing pointedly around me. “You here alone?”

I wanted to say, yes, I am alone, you son of bitch, because you broke my heart and damaged me so badly I’m incapable of having a healthy normal relationship ever again.

I was broken. And even if I did heal, I had no doubt the scars would remain, invisible, but there, subtly affecting every thought, every feeling, I’d have for the rest of my life.

He didn’t deserve to have that power over me. But somehow, he did. I had a sinking suspicion that was because I’d given it to him.

I swallowed and the nausea returned. I’d just opened my mouth to deliver the agonizing answer that I had come alone when I saw an achingly familiar figure striding up behind Greg.

Boone, looking amazing in a charcoal gray suit that fit him like a glove.

When he reached us, he skirted around Greg, knocking into his shoulder hard enough to knock the bastard off balance a step.

He came right up to me, wrapping his arms around my waist and hauling me close. He planted a big kiss on my lips before saying, “Hey, baby. So sorry I’m late.”

I recovered from the shock and managed to say, “It’s okay.”

Boone’s left arm remained wrapped around me as he angled himself to face Greg.

“Hey. I’m Boone, Sarah’s boyfriend. And you are?” he asked.

After a moment of shocked silence, the asshole said, “Um, I’m Greg.”

“Good to meet you, but if you’ll excuse us, my girl looks so amazing, I’m gonna go show her off.”

Boone grabbed my hand and steered me away from Greg so fast I had trouble keeping up. We got to the bar and he stopped, blowing out a breath. “Fuck. I need a drink. I’m shaking from holding back and not clobbering that asshole ex-boyfriend of yours.”

I was shaking too, but Boone’s hand around mine helped.

He glanced down at me as we waited for our turn at the bar. “I guess I need to explain what I’m doing here. I hope you’re not too mad. I know you uninvited me.”

I bit my lip and tried to hold back the tears. “I was wrong to uninvite you. I’m so glad you’re here.”

“Really?” He turned to face me, taking both my hands now.

“Yes. Thank you for coming and saving me. But how did you know about Greg? Or what he looked like?”

Boone cringed. “Yeah, about that. Don’t hate