Chapter Twenty-Five
Matt glanced around at the people already crowding the downtown gallery space with more coming through the door. The walls showcased Megan’s paintings, the whole place dedicated just to her art. Matt felt a swell of pride for his friend. He knew how hard she’d worked to pursue her dream, both in terms of the time she spent painting, but also the split with her family over her decision to pursue art as a career. There was more to it than that, he knew. More to do with her relationship with Chris, which seemed crazy to him. Sure, Chris had slept around before he and Megan got together, but he’d been loyal to her since they’d been together. Since before they’d given into their attraction to each other, actually. Seeing how happy they were together, Chris with his arm around Megan while she greeted friends, patrons, and potential buyers, Matt was glad that Chris hadn’t listened to his warnings.
A twinge of jealousy sparked in his gut at the sight of them, the easy affection they had for each other. He’d had that. And he’d fucked it up. Hannah wouldn’t return his calls, wouldn’t look at him at work. The few times he’d seen her at the office, she’d looked away and avoided him except that one time. And then the only thing he’d gotten out of her was a nod and his name before she bolted. He wanted to tell her about his plans, but he couldn’t if she wouldn’t talk to him. He’d decided that if he couldn’t get her to talk to him before he left Eco Utilities for good, that he’d barge into the marketing department on his last day and talk to her, even if he had to spill his guts in front of everyone.
As though thoughts of her had conjured her into reality, she walked through the door, wearing the same red dress she’d worn Valentine’s Day. And Daniel Carter right behind her, his hand dropping around Hannah’s waist and pulling her close.
Matt’s hands tightened on the clear, plastic cup in his hand, cracking it, and the rest of his drink seeped out over his hand. He couldn’t tear his eyes away, frozen there, watching her smile up at him, laughing at something he said. They made their way over to Megan and Chris. They both turned to look at him when Hannah and Daniel approached. Megan broke first, turning her attention to her models, gesturing toward a large painting on one wall, that he now realized must be the one Hannah and Daniel posed for.
“Hey, man. Here are some napkins. Let me get rid of that for you.”
He turned to find Lance standing at his side, pushing tiny cocktail napkins at the hand holding his splintered plastic cup. Lance took the cup, turning and taking a couple of steps to toss it into a trash can. Hands from his other side pressed napkins into his hand, dabbing at the cut on his palm from the sharp plastic.
In a daze, he watched one of the hands tending his cut push strawberry blonde hair behind a feminine ear before holding his hand in both of hers, putting pressure on the cut. Abby. Lance stood next to him again, both of them watching Hannah and Daniel talking with Megan and Chris. Chris kept shooting glances his direction, and Megan made eye contact over Hannah’s shoulder when she leaned in for a hug, her face troubled.
Had she known Hannah would come? Did she know that she’d come with Daniel? The way he kept touching her, it was obvious they were there together.
Fuck.
He knew he’d screwed everything up, but he hadn’t expected her to move on this fast. It had only been a few weeks. And she was dating someone else? Someone who’d already had his arms around her when they were both almost naked.
Matt turned away, unable to stand looking at them anymore. Concern shone in Lance’s dark eyes, and Abby came around to stand next to him. Once again, everyone around him belonged to a happy couple, leaving him as the odd man out, the woman he loved here with some other guy.
Visions of Hannah and Daniel together flashed through his head, all too easy to conjure from the easy way they stood together and having seen both of them in various states of undress. He found himself staring at the painting of the two of them, though from the way Megan had zeroed in on specific parts of their bodies, you couldn’t tell which paintings were who. There were no faces in any of them.
The one of Hannah and Daniel appeared to be their lower torsos, hips, and thighs in profile, his larger body wrapped protectively around hers, an arm around her waist.
Fuck.
Had she enjoyed that? Was that why she could move on so easily? Daniel had been interested in her at the time. Hell, he’d walked in on Daniel asking her out. She’d admitted to finding the guy attractive.
He tore his eyes away from the painting, pushing his way toward the back, his chest heaving, afraid he might puke in the middle of everything. He needed to get away, get some air, get his head on straight, and get his emotions under control. The last thing he needed was for Hannah to see him this way. And he didn’t want to ruin Megan’s big night by making a scene. She’d probably cut his balls off, and Chris would beat the shit out of him for upsetting his girlfriend.
Voices murmured behind him as he stood with his arms braced against a wall in a back corner. A hand touched his shoulder. He flinched at the unexpected contact, so wrapped up in his own head that he hadn’t realized anyone had approached him. He turned to see Megan looking up at him, her brown eyes concerned.
“I’m sorry, Matt. I wasn’t sure if she’d come or not.”
“You invited her?” He