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Derek’s hateful gaze follows us across the room, but Jake seems totally unaware of the haughty wolf as he orders himself an old-fashioned and a cranberry seltzer for me. It makes it easier for me to ignore Derek, too.

For once, I’m not worrying about how I’ll excuse myself gracefully if I feel a migraine or panic attack coming on. I feel strong — practically invincible. I might even enjoy myself tonight.

We’ve just gotten our drinks when Carmen and Rowan make their entrance, and as soon as other couples start moving toward the center of the ballroom, Jake pulls me onto the dance floor. He holds me close, but not too close, and I have to resist the urge to run my hand up his warm, solid chest to feel the tiny hint of stubble along his jaw.

Jake moves well for such a large man. I suppose it’s all his fight training. I know he’s only here because Raf asked him to come, but the way he pulls me closer for the slowsongs tricks my body into thinking there might be something more.

At one point, Carmen’s cousin pulls me away for yet another group photo before the bride and groom cut the cake. I squeeze Jake’s arm and follow her to the head table, where Carmen is holding court.

A familiar expensive-smelling cologne tickles my nostrils, but that’s the only warning I get before Derek’s hand closes around my arm.

I jerk my head up to look at him. His gray eyes are bloodshot, and I can smell the whiskey on his breath. “Can we talk?” he asks.

“Now’s not a good time,” I say, tugging my arm out of his grip. “They’re about to cut the cake.”

“It’ll just take a second.”

I let out a huff of air. Thelastthing I want to do is listen to Derek’s pitiful drunken rant, but judging by the look on his face, he’s not going to let this go.

I don’t want to make a scene at Carmen’s reception, so I give Derek a stiff nod and follow him out of the ballroom and onto the hotel terrace.

The cool night air is actually a relief after the hot and crowded ballroom. I rub the back of my neck as I wait for Derek to spit it out, trying to release the tension from the day.

“I wanted to apologize for my . . . behavior,” he says. “The other night . . . I was out of line.”

“Which night?” I ask before I can stop myself. “The night you called me a slut, or the night you announced that I was a cold fish in front of the entire wedding party?”

I can’t see Derek’s expression in the dark, but I sensehis swell of rage right before he tamps it down. “Both, I guess.”

I gnaw on my bottom lip, waiting for this to be over. Does he expect me to say I forgive him or something?

“I came here this weekend thinking you and I might . . .” Derek trails off and makes a gesture with his hand. “Instead, you show up withhim, and I just . . . lost it.”

“Fair enough,” I say, propping my hands on my hips. “Are we done?”

Derek scoffs. “That’s all you have to say to me?”

“What do you want me to say?” I ask, feeling suddenly very tired. “That I forgive you? That it’s all water under the bridge?”

“Yes, for a start. Then maybe you could apologize tomefor bringing that piece of shit with you just to make me jealous.”

I choke out a laugh. White-hot anger sears my insides, but I’m so stunned by Derek’s ego that it actually tempers my rage.

“Apologize toyou?” I blurt, the words turning to ash in my mouth. I shake my head. “Jake isnotthe piece of shit here. I’m sorry that you’re so self-centered that you think I would actually bring him with me just to make you jealous.”

Derek reels back as though I slapped him.

“I hate to break it to you, but nothing I do hasanythingto do with you anymore.”

“Oh, that’s rich,” Derek bites back. “All the nights I spent worrying about you after the accident, and you couldn’t give a shit about me.”

“You wereworriedfor me?” I choke out incredulously. “You weren’t even there!”

“Yes, I’m sorry. I was too busy with work to sit vigil at your bedside like your precious Jake. It doesn’t mean I wasn’t with you.”

I jerk my head back. Now he’s not even making sense. Jake wasn’t at the rehab center in Chicago. He couldn’t have been.

But suddenly, all my resentment toward Derek bubbles to the surface. It happens so fast it gives me a head rush, and I feel the familiar stab of a migraine coming on. “Do you knowwhyI was out with Carmen that night?” I demand, my voice shaking with the force of my anger. “Or have you forgotten that part?”