“Yeah, weird. Like forgetting to show up or saying the wrong thing. You really shouldn’t go, and if you do, you’re going to leave Kelli alone and you’re not going to talk about our relationship at all.”
From where he watched through the front door, Michael had a clear view of the guy in the middle of the living room and past him to Mia, who was standing in the doorway to her bedroom with her back to the front door. “Oh, you mean the Kelli you cheated on me with? That Kelli?”
He held his arms up. “I didn’t cheat on you. We broke up.”
“You dumped me and banged her the same day.”
“Classy,” he said, moving closer. “Classy as always.” The hair on the back of Michael’s neck bristled.
She spun to face the man where he stood to the side of the bedroom door. He was tall and handsome in a Ralph Lauren model kind of way with a cable-knit sweater and blond wavy hair. “You’re a fine one to talk about class, Jason,” Mia said. “You actually did it, I’m just calling it what it was.”
The man named Jason placed his hand on the frame to the bedroom door, striking a purposefully relaxed pose. “I didn’t come here to rehash the good old days. Mark’s been my best friend since high school. A lot longer than you’ve been friends with Sue. Maybe you should bow out.”
“I’m as unhappy about this as you are,” she said, “but backing out isn’t an option. Sue asked me to be her maid of honor, and I accepted. I’m not going back on my word because we broke up and my presence will make you uncomfortable. It’s about Mark and Sue, not you and me.”
“You’re right.” He maintained his casual pose. “It’s not about us, which is why I thought it might be best if you step aside.”
Although this guy was doing his best to appear nonchalant, it was clear to Michael, who made a living by reading people, that he was uptight as hell and spoiling for a fight. No telling how far he’d take this.
“It’s not going to happen. There’s no way I’m letting Sue down. Now, leave.” She walked into her bedroom, and before she could shut the door, he shoved it open. “I asked you to leave, Jason. You will never set foot in my bedroom again. Leave me alone!”
It took a considerable amount of restraint on Michael’s part to not intervene. He consciously unballed his fists.
The guy’s cool facade fell away and his face flushed red up to his hairline. “You bet I’ll leave you alone. That’s all you’ll ever be: alone. No man in his right mind could put up with your flakiness. I don’t know how I did it, honestly.”
The hurt look on Mia’s face made Michael’s gut churn.
The man shook a finger at her as if she were a naughty child. “What I do know is that since you refuse to do the right thing and stay home, you will behave at this wedding. You will be where you’re supposed to be and I’ll be there to make sure you get to each event on time.”
“I’m not some animal that needs to be given commands and yanked from place to place, Jason.”
“Hey. Great idea. I should bring a collar and leash to make sure you get to the wedding on time!”
And at that moment, Michael felt like the biggest asshole in history. Hearing words so similar to the ones he had said to Mia the day before drove a painful spike through his chest. He had to make it up to her somehow. This guy thought she wasn’t dating material? Well, Michael was about to prove him wrong. Way wrong.
Digging down deep, he pushed his remorse and anger aside and assumed a pleasant expression. “Are you ready for dinner, sweetheart?” Michael asked, strolling casually into the apartment, hyper-aware he was barefooted. He couldn’t recall the last time he left his home without shoes. Maybe it would add to the effect he was going for—the intimate boyfriend. The stunned look on Mia’s face almost made him laugh out loud. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know you had a guest.” He extended his hand to the equally surprised Jason. “I’m Michael Anderson.”
“Oh, uh. I’m Jason Tipton. Nice to meet you.”
Mia’s surprise had turned to amusement. Seeing Jason so off guard probably clued her in to Michael’s game. She was quick. He liked that. “I’m almost ready. I was interrupted.” She gave Jason a pointed look. “I’ll just be a sec…honey.” And with that, she disappeared into her bedroom and closed the door, leaving the two men alone.
The silence was awkward, but Michael loved it. He sat on the sofa and studied the other man in the chair across from him. Based on his fidgeting and repeated glances to the door she had disappeared through, Jason was clearly as uncomfortable as he had made Mia, but that wasn’t good enough.
Finally, Jason broke the silence. “So, I guess I should be going.”
“Oh, no. You’re a friend of Mia’s so I’m sure she wants you to join us at my place for drinks.”