wedding.
“Marion!”
Ethan’s voice interrupted seconds before Graeme could pull open the door to the book store. Turning, there he was. Ethan Baxter III stalking directly toward them. But Ethan wasn’t looking at Marion. He was looking at Graeme.
Next to him, Marion froze in place. Even in the heat, he could feel her shiver .
“Son of a bitch,” Graeme muttered under his breath and clenched his fist.
“You’d think he could take no for an answer,” she said.
Ethan came to a halt in front of them, his hair ruffled in the breeze. He looked disheveled. Graeme took satisfaction in seeing his former best friend out of sorts.
“I thought I made it clear, Ethan, I wasn’t interested.”
“Marion, I need to see you. Explain things.”
“ I told you—it’s too late for that.” Fire flashed in her eyes as she waved him away.
“I miss you, Marion. I want you to come home.”
“I have a home,” she said, her teeth clenched. “And it’s not with you. I made one for myself after you left me.”
Despite her attempt at trying to be brave, Graeme could see her shaking. She blinked furiously, probably to keep from crying.
“Ethan, I think it’s clear the lady isn’t interested. It’s time you face the reality that you blew it,” Graeme said.
“Shut the fuck up, Graeme. This is none of your business.” He shoved his index finger in Graeme’s face to press his point.
Graeme’s hand shot to his collar and clutched it in his fist. He jerked him forward, their faces only inches apart. “ Now you’ve made it my business.” The moment Ethan tucked tail and ran from the church and Graeme wrote that note, it was his business.
“Graeme!” Marion wrapped her hand around his arm. “Don’t.”
Even though he wanted to pummel him, Graeme let him go with a shove. Ethan stumbled back, smoothed his expensive designer shirt and looked back at Marion.
“Is this the guy?” Ethan asked.
“Why don’t you go find some other woman to hassle, Ethan?” Graeme said before Marion could reply .
“He’s using you,” Ethan said. “Or didn’t you know his track record? He wants to fuck you and that’s it.” He crossed his arms over his chest.
“Shut up,” Graeme growled. The man was unbelievable. For the first time, he saw Ethan for what he truly was and he wondered how she could get mixed up with such an idiot.
“What’s the matter? Can’t handle hearing the truth?” Ethan said. Then to Marion, “Women are playthings to him. He goes through a new girl every few months. He can’t commit.”
Marion glanced at Graeme, then back at Ethan. As if deciding what to do or say next. Rage flooded Graeme.
“Oh , and you can?” Graeme shot back. “Need I remind you about the wedding I called off for you?”
“And need I remind you about the stripper you fucked at my bachelor party?”
“Stop it! Both of you!” Marion’s fists were balled, her face flushed with anger. “Ethan, I will see whomever I choose, whenever I choose.” She inched a step closer to Graeme. “And if that person is Graeme, then you’ll have to get over it.”
All the rage whooshed out of Graeme as she slipped her hand in his , their fingers lacing. Her skin was warm and inviting. He blinked with surprise and glanced down at her. Looking up at him, she stepped even closer and placed her free hand in the middle of his chest, a smile curling the corners of her mouth.
“This is the guy you’re with?” Ethan asked. His face had paled with shock, as if he couldn’t believe what he was seeing.
“ Yes, it is,” she said smoothly and gave him a haughty look down her nose. He could kiss her for that.
Her voice never wavered with her lie, but Graeme’s heart hammered hard in his chest. Surely she could feel it beneath her fingertips. Ethan’s jaw clenched, the muscles flexing with his agitation. He glanced between the two before pointing at Marion.
“ This isn’t over yet, Marion,” Ethan said. “I still want you and