Part 3 (1/2)

I shake my head quickly. I don't want him to leave me alone in a room full of people I don't know. ”No,” I say.

He smiles and leads me toward a group of people against the far wall. Aiden taps on a short brunette's shoulder. She turns and squeals. ”Aiden, I'm so glad you're here. I wasn't sure if you'd be late. We all know you...Oh, who is this?” she asks, a smile riding her lips.

Great. She seems normal; she must be wondering why I'm being fooled by Aiden. ”This is Laney, my date. Laney, this is Savannah, my cousin. She is the one getting married.”

”It's nice to meet you, Laney. Thanks for coming.” She hugs me, and I relax. At least they seem down to earth.

”You too. You look wonderful.”

She grins and pokes Aiden in the ribs. ”You didn't tell me your date would be so pretty, Aiden.”

Aiden glances down at me, his white smile almost flattering. ”She sure is. So, where is this groom of yours? I've only met him once, a while ago.”

”Oh,” Savannah says, pressing her fingernail to her lips. ”There they are. Baby-over here!” She starts to jump up and down.

Aiden presses his hand against my back and I turn to look at her groom. He isn't what catches my eye. It's the six foot two inch guy trailing behind him. His tux is fitted to his wide shoulders all the way down to his slender waist. Lachlan.

Oh, G.o.d. I always laughed at people when they said time slowed down when they saw someone. But now I'm not laughing. Time has definitely slowed down.

He runs his fingers through his short black hair. I take a large breath, wondering what in the f.u.c.k I've got myself into. He is here. In front of me. Walking toward me. His swagger is still flawless, his stride wide and determined. His green eyes are clear, radiating perfection. His jaw moves as he swallows, forcing me to look at his lips. Oh, f.u.c.k. His lips. Those lips. The only lips. They were all over me, all the time, kissing, soft against my skin.

He smiles politely and glances my way. Realization pa.s.ses over his face. His eyes widen. I feel sick. Vomit is rising in my throat. This. Can. Not. Be. Happening. Breathe, Laney. Breathe.

Just as Lachlan gets to us, I do what anyone would do. I turn and run toward the bathroom. My heart is hammering in my chest. I can't do this. I have to go home. I make it to the bathroom, which unfortunately doesn't lock.

I start to pace, not sure what to do. I can't walk out of here because everyone would see me. I frantically check the bathroom, there is only one small window.

My phone rings just as I get to the window. ”What are you doing?” Bethany yells.

s.h.i.+t, I forgot. The d.a.m.n camera thingy. ”Look-I can't. I just need to come home now. I promise I'll explain this to you then.”

Bethany huffs. ”You're backing out on me, aren't you?”

”No,” I throw my hands in the air, ”I'm not. Just-please. I'll be home in a bit.” I press the END b.u.t.ton before she can protest. Glancing back at the door, I reach up and grab the windowsill, lifting myself up with a grunt. I wish I would have worked out with Heather, but who knew I would be climbing out of a church window.

I slide onto the ledge and pull at the window until I feel the air from outside. It doesn't open all of the way, but I have to try. Placing my hands underneath me, I push myself, only to stop abruptly.

Oh, no. My dress, Heather's dress, is snagged on the wood of the window. ”No, no, no,” I say over and over again, like a prayer.

But being stuck in the girls' bathroom window is a situation that isn't easily fixed. Not when your ex-boyfriend and your pretend boyfriend are both outside the door. I tug and tug until I'm completely exhausted.

The bathroom door opens a few minutes later and I hear a loud gasp. Yeah, I know, my a.s.s is showing in the church's bathroom. We get it.

”Laney,” Savannah says. ”Are you okay-I mean, do you need some help?”

I glance out at the squirrel running up a tree in front of me. I would do anything to be that squirrel. ”Actually, yes, I'm a little stuck.”

”Is she okay?” I hear, then the sound of footsteps echoing against the bathroom walls. No, everyone just get the h.e.l.l out!

”Yes, I'm fine-”

”Laney, what the h.e.l.l?” Aiden yells. I feel his hands wrap around my waist and he pulls. Wood digs into my stomach and I let out a murderous screech.

”You're b.l.o.o.d.y hurting her, stop it.”

G.o.dd.a.m.n it. My body freezes when I feel Aiden release me. Only to be touched with wider, stronger hands. ”I'm going to help you down; let me know if I hurt you, luv.”

Luv. I swear my insides just melted. I'm not ready for this, but it seems I have no other choice. I'm stuck in a bathroom window with my a.s.s in my ex-boyfriend's face.

Lachlan grabs my hips, pushes me upwards, and unsnags my dress with no problem at all. His fingertips slide down my sides as he sets me on the floor. It's like a fire is consuming me in every single crevice. I don't look up, I can't. ”Are you alright?”

I nod. I'm not sure what to say. What can I say? I left you when we were seniors, and you're the only one that knows the real reason.

”G.o.d, Laney, are you okay?” Aiden says, bringing me back to the f.u.c.ked-up reality.

I glance up at him and nod. ”Yeah, I think so.”

”Well, can I ask what the h.e.l.l you were doing? Why were you trying to get out of the window?”

I didn't think this through obviously. I have no idea what to say. So, I shrug. Savannah is staring at me like I'm an elf from Lord of The Rings.

Aiden blows his blond hair from his eyes and offers Lachlan his hand. ”Thanks a lot, buddy. She was really stuck in there, weren't you?” His fingertip touches the bare skin of my side where my dress in torn. I retract from his touch.

”You're bleeding,” Savannah says. ”Let me go get the first-aid kit from the kitchen.” She disappears, her heels clacking against the tile.

”Let's get that dress off of you, so we can clean you up,” Aiden says.

My eyes widen and I glance up, losing my composure seeing Lachlan so close to me. He is studying my face, my neck, my b.r.e.a.s.t.s, my thighs, every single inch of me. A fire lights in the middle of my stomach, traveling down between my legs. Jesus Christ, I don't know what to do. ”I don't want to take my dress off,” I say.

Aiden scoffs. ”Laney. I promise I'm not going to molest you. We just need to get your cut looked at.”

I bite my lip, hard. I'm not taking my clothes off in front of Aiden, or Lachlan, for that matter. ”No.”

Aiden growls underneath his breath. ”Please, Laney. It could get infected.”

”She said she doesn't want to,” Lachlan says, his voice smooth and calm. How much I missed the sound of his voice.

Aiden narrows his eyes. ”How about I give you my s.h.i.+rt to wear. Will that help?”

No, you dummy. Can't you tell that Lachlan is standing here, watching me like he has laser vision? Savannah comes back in and motions me over to the sink. s.h.i.+t, I grab my side as I take the last step. I'm bleeding pretty badly, and my side f.u.c.king hurts.

”Come on, take that dress off, missy. Aiden, give her your s.h.i.+rt.”

Holy s.h.i.+t. This isn't happening. Aiden gives me an I told you so look and starts to undress. I glance down at the floor. I don't look back up until he shoves the s.h.i.+rt in front of me.