Page 30 of How to Break My Heart

Someone get me out of my brain.

“Aston has offered to take me home,” she almost sings out loud.

Oh,I mouth, crossing my arms again with my usual annoyance upon hearing his name. “When did he offer to do that?”

“Just then, before I walked in here. I told you he’s quite the man. It’s hard to find the right guy, you know? The one who checks all the boxes.”

“Yeah, I guess,” I mutter, then continue, “or maybe he just wants to get you into bed.”

Ramona laughs a little too obnoxiously as she leans against the tiled wall. “And? Have you seen how unbelievably sexy he is?”

Suddenly, this restroom feels like a damn jail cell.

Just little old me trapped with Aston’s hookup for tonight.

“I have to go make sure everyone is okay. Have fun with him.”

I stomp out of there so fast, oblivious to guests walking past me to leave. Maddy is saying goodbye to Myles’s parents, so I escape to the kitchen to thank the team. Our conversation takes longer than anticipated, and by the time I get back, everyone is outside in the parking lot or has already left.

Maddy is quick to find me, but Aston is nowhere to be seen.Thank God.

Her arms wrap around me in a tight embrace. “Thank you for today. What would I do without you?”

I close my eyes to try to remember Maddy is more to me than a best friend, and all this misery will be worth it for her happily ever after. “I’m glad you enjoyed it.”

“Myles’s mother insisted we have afternoon drinks at her place. Will you be okay?”

“I will be.” I smile, then sigh. “What about you?”

“Afternoon drinks, Eva. That’s the only reason I agreed to go. I figure the strong martinis she serves will numb me enough to get through it.”

Myles opens the car door for Maddy. He quickly kisses mycheek to thank me, and then the two of them slide into the car to drive off, leaving me alone with relief that today is finally over.

My car is parked only a few spots away. As I walk toward it, my attention is shifted to a flat tire on the rear driver’s side. I lean against the car in self-pity, only for a raindrop to hit my forehead. “Oh no, you better not.”

Just as the words leave my mouth, the rain falls hard and fast. I can’t believe my luck today. All I need is a pile of dog poop to step in, and I’m officially done.

My hair clings to the back of my neck as the roar of an engine grabs my attention. I glance to my left to find a sleek gray Porsche beside me. The window glides down, revealing Aston in the driver’s seat.

“Get in,” he demands.

I turn to face him. “I’m not getting in there with you.”

“Stop being stubborn and get in the goddamn car before you get sick.”

It’s a total downpour that even my coat doesn’t stop my dress plastering to my skin. My hair and makeup are undoubtedly ruined, so at this point, who cares if I catch a cold?

“I’d rather end up in the hospital than step foot in your quarter-life-crisis mobile,” I snap.

His hands tighten around the steering wheel. “If you don’t get in, Everleigh, I will step out and put you in this car myself. Is that what you want? A little hands-on kidnapping scenario?” He simpers, voice laced with a daring edge. “If that’s what does it for you, I am more than happy to oblige.”

My mouth drops. “You are such an ass!”

Before I know it, I’m yanking the door open and sliding into his stupid car. “There. Happy now?”

Aston gives me a sly smirk as he shifts the car into gear. “Buckle up, sweetheart. It’s going to be a wild ride.”

The last thing I needed today was to be trapped inside a small sports car with Aston Beaumont. My teeth are chattering so Ireach out to the heating knob, fingers trembling as I fumble to crank up the warmth.