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Margot

“I want to raise a toast to the woman of the hour—my new best friend, Constance! This isn’t the party we envisioned, but it’s even better in its own way. She’s free! Here’s to dodging bullets and telling cheating jerks where they can go!” I clinked my glass with Constance’s and downed the champagne in one go. “Drink up, everyone! We’re not wasting a single drop!”

Constance wrapped her arms around my waist as I stepped off the stage. “Who knew you had such a wild side?!”

I snorted, my signature drunk move. “I’m cheap. They’re going to charge you for the booze either way. Might as well enjoy it!”

Constance’s older brother slipped between us and put his arm around both of us. “Ladies, I’m sorry I missed my chance to knock Braxton’s lights out, but I’m glad I made it in time to watch you two party like wild animals.”

“Billy, dance with Margot while I grab more champagne!” She rushed off in her wedding dress, which we’d altered earlier—dyed with coffee and shortened into a mini dress that made her legs look incredible. She looked amazing.

I was so caught up in admiring her that I only realized she’d asked Billy to dance with me when he pulled me into his arms. I chuckled as I shook my head. “I might be nursing a broken heart, but I’m not in the mood for sympathy dances.”

“Come on, kid. My wife’s nine months pregnant, and she threatened to kill me if I even considered asking her to dance tonight. You’ll be doing me a favor.” He kept a respectful distance and spun me around. “If you’re going to hurl, just let me know! I got really good at dodging vomit during Hailey’s first trimester.”

I glanced across the room at his wife, the very pregnant blonde. She smiled and waved at me, so I waved back, figuring a little dancing wouldn’t hurt. “She’s gorgeous. What are you having?”

“We don’t know yet. It’s a surprise. She thinks I want a boy, but deep down, I’m hoping for a little girl with her mom’s eyes.” He winked at Hailey and flashed her a grin that made the ache in my chest worse. “I never saw Constance and Braxton as happy as Hailey and I are. I told myself it was just because I didn’t see them much, but we all knew Braxton wasn’t right for her. This is better for her. Now she has the chance to find someone who really loves her. Someone like my buddy, Mac.”

“Oh?”

“Mac’s been into her since we were kids. He thinks I don’t know, but I do. I’ll give it a week or so and start playing matchmaker.” He twirled me before pointing at the bar, where Constance was chatting with a handsome man with curly red hair. “Maybe I won’t need to do anything after all.”

We both stopped to watch as Mac leaned in and whispered something that made Constance laugh. They looked great together. And it was obvious, even from across the room, that Mac was head over heels for her.

“She looks happy with him. I hope it works out. She deserves that. Braxton was never going to give her what she needed.” I looked back at Billy. “Did you know I dated Braxton for three years?”

“Shit. Is that why you’re heartbroken?”

I laughed and slapped my hand over my mouth, realizing I’d drunk too much. “God, no. Yuck. Braxton has three older brothers who stole my heart, judged me, and then ran away.”

Billy raised his eyebrows. “What?”

“Forget it. I don’t want to talk about them.”

He shrugged. “Alright.”

After dancing with Billy, I twirled with Constance’s dad and some cousins before I was drunk enough to feel sick with every sway. The party had been a success, and my job was done. I hadn’t gotten a couple to their wedding, but I’d done something even better in my eyes. Constance had spent the whole night talking with Mac, and I had a feeling something was happening there.

The snowstorm that had hit earlier was letting up, and it was finally late enough for me to head to the cabin without getting soaked. I waved goodbye to everyone, lifting my gown to keep it off the wet ground, and clutched another bottle of champagne. I needed to keep the buzz going, anything to stop me from thinking about the Heather  brothers.

“Margot!”

I turned around, smiling when I saw Constance’s cousin, James, jogging toward me. “Hey! I swear, this isn’t the last bottle of champagne. There’s more in there!”

He laughed and shrugged off his suit jacket, draping it over my shoulders. “I saw you leave, so I figured I’d walk you home. The champagne’s all yours, I promise.”

“That’s so sweet of you! Especially the part where you don’t want my champagne.” I gave up on holding my dress and grabbed the jacket instead, though it didn’t fully cover me. The memory of how the guys’ clothes always swallowed me hit me hard.

“What you did for Constance was amazing. This could’ve been the worst day of her life, but you turned it into something better. She’s having a blast.” He walked beside me, letting me lead the way. “What about you? Is there a Mr. Amazing Event Planner waiting for you at home?”

I groaned. “Nope. Not even a plant is waiting for me back home.”

“I’m around here enough… I’d love to take you out sometime.”

“That’s sweet of you, James, but I’ve just spent the last two days crying over my previous relationship, and I don’t think I’m ready for anything else for a while.” I lifted the bottle. “Except for this little guy.”

He lowered his head and smiled. “Guess that’s my loss. If you change your mind, Constance has my number. I’m a patient guy.”