Chapter 454 - Too Close

Chapter 454: Chapter 454 - Too Close

Roxie was halfway through her second drink with Sean when he excused himself to speak to someone near the bar.

She was considering returning to her lounge chair when she spotted Karen and Angela sitting with a group of people beneath the shaded section of the deck.

Kendall, Kyle, Mason, Olivia.

And Zac.

Of course.

Roxie turned toward the opposite side of the boat, intending to find somewhere else to sit. She’d spent enough time thinking about that man today, and the last thing she wanted was another painfully polite encounter with him.

"Roxie! Hey, Roxie!"

She stopped and looked over her shoulder. Kyle was waving at her, looking far too enthusiastic about ruining her plans.

"Come here! We’ve been waiting for you!"

Roxie glanced toward Karen, who was smiling at her from across the table. Angela had already pulled out an empty chair beside her.

Traitors. Both of them.

She took another sip of her drink before making her way toward the group, dragging her feet a little as she approached.

"There you are," Kendall greeted her. "Where have you been?"

"Enjoying myself. Isn’t that what we’re supposed to be doing?"

"With Sean," Angela added, smiling.

Roxie gave her a look before sitting down.

Kyle laughed. "Oh, you met Sean? He’s a nice guy. How’d you two get along?"

"Fine. We were just talking."

"About what?" Angela asked.

"Angela, find yourself a man to interrogate."

The table laughed, and Angela raised her drink toward Roxie before turning back to Karen.

Kyle was still smiling. "I’ve known Sean for years. We went to college together, and he actually lives in New York now. You two should hang out sometime."

"We already talked about that."

"Oh, really?"

Roxie sighed as everyone began looking at her. "Can we please talk about something else? You’d think none of you have ever seen a woman talking to a man before."

"Leave her alone," Mason said, laughing. "She’s on vacation."

"Thank you, Mason."

"Although Sean’s been asking about you since last night."

Roxie turned toward him. "Mason!"

He grinned and took a drink while Angela started laughing again. Even Karen looked amused.

Roxie shook her head and settled back against her chair. It was already too late to escape, and despite Zac sitting across from her, the company was pleasant enough.

Kendall soon began complaining about the wedding preparations. Apparently, someone had made a mistake with the seating arrangements, and she’d spent most of the morning trying to sort it out.

"I swear, if one more person changes their mind about bringing a date, I’m going to lose it," she told them.

Kyle leaned back in his chair. "She’s been saying that for three days."

"Because people keep changing things!"

"Baby, half of them are your changes."

Kendall turned toward him. "Kyle, I asked you to check the seating chart yesterday. Did you?"

He looked at Mason.

Mason immediately shook his head. "Don’t look at me. I’m staying out of this."

Roxie laughed as Kyle tried to explain that he’d meant to check it but had gotten distracted by the arrangements for the boat trip.

She found herself relaxing as the conversation continued. Zac had barely spoken, occasionally answering Kyle or Mason when they addressed him, but she was perfectly content to ignore him.

Eventually, Kyle asked what everyone had been doing lately, and the conversation shifted toward work.

Angela talked about a project she’d recently finished, while Karen mentioned how busy she’d been at the bank. Mason discussed a business opportunity he was considering, although he quickly changed the subject when Kyle started asking for details.

Roxie listened, occasionally adding something when someone asked about her work at Crestline.

"You’re still doing the evening news, right?" Kyle asked.

"For the moment."

"That sounds exhausting. What time do you usually get home?"

"Depends on the day. Sometimes I get out at a reasonable hour, and sometimes I’m still at the office when everyone else is asleep."

Kyle shook his head. "I don’t know how you do it. I’d lose my mind."

Roxie smiled and took a sip of her drink. She was grateful when Kendall asked another question about the wedding because she had no desire to explain her current situation at Crestline to an entire table of old acquaintances.

A little later, Kyle leaned back and looked around the group.

"Man, it’s strange seeing everyone together again. I was talking to Mason about it last night. Feels like we haven’t all been in the same place in forever."

"Because we haven’t," Mason answered. "Everyone’s scattered all over the country now."

Kyle nodded. "Yeah. Shame Dylan couldn’t make it, though."

Roxie’s hand stopped halfway toward her glass.

Dylan.

Again.

She slowly set her drink down.

"He was invited?"

Kyle looked toward her. "Yeah. He had some work thing he couldn’t get out of."

Roxie gave a quiet laugh before she could stop herself.

"Wow. He’d actually have the nerve to show his face here?"

The conversation around the table stopped, and Roxie felt everyone’s eyes on her.

"What?" Kyle asked.

She shrugged, reaching for her drink again.

"Nothing. Just surprised, that’s all."

She could feel Karen looking at her, and Angela had gone unusually quiet beside her.

Across the table, Zac’s eyes settled on Roxie.

She looked up and met his stare.

His expression had changed. He was watching her steadily, his face perfectly composed except for the slight tightening of his jaw.

Roxie raised her eyebrows.

What?

Zac continued looking at her for another moment before Mason cleared his throat.

"Anyway, Kyle, what time are we supposed to be downstairs tomorrow for the wedding?" Mason asked.

Kyle glanced toward him. "Four, I think."

"Three thirty," Kendall corrected immediately. "The ceremony starts at four, and I want everyone ready beforehand. I’ve already sent the schedule."

Kyle sighed. "Right. Three thirty."

Angela looked toward Kendall. "What about us?"

"You girls can come to my suite in the morning," Kendall answered. "I’ll send you the details tonight."

Angela nodded, and the conversation continued around the table.

Roxie stared at her drink. She knew her comment about Dylan had been unnecessary, but hearing that he’d been invited after everything that happened still irritated her.

Roxie remained at the table for several more minutes before the drinks she’d had with Sean began catching up with her.

She stood and picked up her bag.

"I’m going to the restroom."

Karen looked up. "You want me to come?"

"No, I’m fine. I’ll be back."

Roxie left the table and headed toward the stairs leading to the lower deck, relieved to have an excuse to get away for a few minutes.

When Roxie stepped out of the restroom, she stopped.

Zac was standing near the opposite wall, looking at his phone. He wore a dark shirt over his swim trunks, his hair still slightly damp from swimming.

He slipped his phone into his pocket when he noticed her.

Roxie looked toward the stairs, then back at him.

"Are you lost? This is the girls’ bathroom."

"I wanted to speak to you."

She sighed.

"About?"

"Dylan."

Why did she even bother to ask? She adjusted the strap of her bag. "What about him?"

Zac looked at her for a moment before answering. "What you said upstairs was unnecessary."

His voice was calm, almost conversational, which somehow irritated her more than if he’d raised it. "Really? I said I was surprised he was invited."

"We both know what you meant."

Roxie gave a short laugh.

"Then why are you asking?"

"I’m asking you to leave it alone while we’re here. Kyle and Kendall invited their friends. Whatever happened years ago doesn’t need to become a conversation at their wedding."

She studied him.

There was something infuriating about how easily he’d said that. Years ago. Apparently, they were supposed to leave everything there now.

"Wow. Still protecting him, I see."

Zac’s expression remained unchanged.

"If you’ve got an issue with Dylan, you can discuss it with him."

"Why would I want to talk to him? I’m just surprised you two are still so close."

"We’ve been friends for years, Roxie. You know that."

"Oh, I know." She gave him a small smile. "Does Olivia know, by the way?"

Zac looked at her.

"Know what?"

"About you and Dylan."

He was quiet for a moment.

Then his eyes narrowed slightly.

"Careful, Roxie."

She almost laughed at the warning.

"What? I’m asking a question."

"No. You’re suggesting something."

Roxie tilted her head. "Am I?"

Zac watched her for several seconds, his expression becoming noticeably colder.

"You know exactly what happened between Dylan and me. If you’re going to imply there’s something else, at least have the nerve to say it directly."

That made her smile falter.

"Well, everyone knew he liked you back then. I was just wondering whether Olivia knows about your history."

He stared at her.

"Apparently, he still means a lot to you."

Zac slipped one hand into his pocket. "Roxie, you can dislike Dylan as much as you want. What you said upstairs was aimed at him, and now you’re deliberately suggesting something you know isn’t true."

"Well, you certainly came all the way down here to defend him."

"I’m asking you to keep your issues with him away from Kyle’s wedding. That’s the reason I’m here."

She gave a quiet, irritated laugh.

"You make it sound like I stood on a table and announced his entire history. I made one comment."

"And everyone at the table knew there was more behind it."

Roxie crossed her arms.

"Fine. I’ll be more careful with my words next time. Anything else?"

Zac looked at her for another moment before stepping slightly aside.

"That’s all."

She stared at him.

Was that seriously it? He’d followed her all the way downstairs just to tell her to behave herself around his precious best friend?

Roxie shook her head.

"Wonderful."

She started toward the stairs.

"Roxie."

She stopped and glanced over her shoulder.

"What now?"

"Does Sean know you’re this pleasant when you’ve had a few drinks?"

Roxie turned around.

For a moment, she could only stare at him.

Then she laughed.

"Oh, so that’s what this is about?"

Zac raised an eyebrow.

"What?"

"Sean. You’re jealous."

He looked almost amused by the accusation.

"I asked a question."

"Sure you did."

Roxie folded her arms, suddenly enjoying herself a little more.

"Did it bother you seeing me with him?"

Zac’s mouth curved faintly.

"Should it?"

She stared at him.

God, he was irritating.

"Oh, please. Who the fuck would want you?"

One of his eyebrows lifted.

Roxie knew perfectly well that was a ridiculous thing to say to a man who looked like Zac, but she’d already said it, and she wasn’t about to take it back.

He looked at her for another moment.

"That’s a convincing answer."

"Oh, please. You’re the one bringing up Sean. I was perfectly happy enjoying my afternoon before you decided to follow me around."

"Then enjoy your afternoon."

"I intend to."

She turned away, but his next words stopped her.

"Although you did seem rather interested in whether I was watching."

Roxie spun around.

"Excuse me?"

Zac was looking at her with that same infuriatingly composed expression.

"You kept looking over while you were swimming."

"We were in the same lake, Zac. There were people everywhere. Where the hell was I supposed to look?"

He gave a small shrug.

"Just an observation."

Roxie stared at him.

"So that’s what you do now? Watch me swimming and then accuse me of trying to get your attention?"

"I haven’t accused you of anything."

"You’re practically asking whether I was trying to make you jealous!"

"Were you?"

She let out an offended laugh.

"Oh, fuck off."

His mouth twitched.

Roxie narrowed her eyes.

"Are you seriously laughing at me?"

"A little."

The admission was so casual that she wanted to scream.

"You are such an arrogant asshole."

Zac looked at her steadily.

"And you’re getting worked up over a question."

"Because you’re asking stupid questions!"

His expression barely changed, which only made her more irritated.

Roxie shook her head and turned toward the stairs.

"Whatever. Go back to Olivia. I’m sure she’s wondering where you disappeared to."

She’d barely taken two steps when she felt his fingers close around her hand.

"Roxie."

The sudden contact stopped her.

She looked down.

His hand was wrapped around hers, warm and considerably larger than she remembered. Her fingers had instinctively curled against his palm before she realized what she was doing.

She turned sharply toward him.

"What now?"

Zac stepped closer as she turned, and Roxie moved backward until her shoulders met the wall. He raised his free hand beside her shoulder, bracing himself as he stopped in front of her.

"Zac!"

Her heart gave an uncomfortable thump.

For a moment, she forgot what she’d been about to say.

He was close. Close enough that she could see the faint droplets of water still caught in his dark hair and the darker blue around his eyes.

She could feel the warmth of his fingers against her skin, and the familiar scent of his cologne reached her beneath the faint smell of sunscreen.

Fuck.

She remembered that smell.

And she remembered his hands.

The way his fingers fitted around hers, how easily he’d held her hand. She hadn’t thought about those details in years, yet standing this close to him brought them back with uncomfortable clarity.

His thumb shifted slightly against her skin.

Roxie’s stomach tightened.

She looked up at him.

Zac was watching her, his expression still controlled, although his gaze had dropped briefly toward her mouth before returning to her eyes.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Roxie became painfully aware of the fact that she was pressed against the wall with Zac standing directly in front of her, his hand still holding hers.

And that her heart was beating much faster than it should have been.

She swallowed.

"What the fuck are you doing?"

Zac looked at her for another moment before answering.

"I was trying to finish what I was saying."

"Then say it. Why are you standing so close?"

His eyes moved over her face.

Something shifted in his expression, and he seemed to become aware of their position at almost the same moment she did.

His grip loosened.

"Sorry."

He released her hand and stepped back, giving her room to move.

Roxie looked down at her fingers.

The sudden absence of his touch was strangely noticeable, and she curled her hand against her palm before catching herself.

Oh, fuck that.

She straightened and adjusted the strap of her bag, trying to ignore the warmth spreading across her cheeks.

"Are you finished?"

Zac watched her quietly.

"Yeah."

She stared at him.

Unbelievable. He’d followed her downstairs, argued with her, grabbed her hand, and somehow managed to make her forget what she’d been angry about in the first place.

And now he was standing there as though nothing had happened.

"Wonderful. Then leave me alone."

She stopped and looked over her shoulder.

Zac was still standing near the wall, watching her.

His expression was unreadable again.

Roxie smiled.

"Oh, I intend to."

"Then enjoy the rest of your afternoon."

She stared at him for another moment before turning and continuing upstairs.

Fucking asshole.

And the worst part was that she’d spent the entire conversation wanting to tell him exactly what she thought of him, only to end up thinking about his hand around hers.

She reached the top of the stairs and glanced down at her fingers.

Ten years.

Ten fucking years, and her body still remembered what it felt like when Zac Prescott touched her.