Chapter Three

Alex couldn’t stand still. He hadn’t slept much last night and the few times he did manage to drift off, his dreams were filled with visions of a certain blue-eyed blonde. In a few short hours, he’d be seeing her in the flesh. His heart pounded in anticipation. He practically punched a hole in Dorian and Kendall’s bungalow door. Dorian whipped it open, pinning Alex with an evil eye. He didn’t care. Olivia was coming today!

“You’re early, Mylonas,” Dorian grumbled as he turned from the door, leaving Alex to close it in his wake.

He shrugged with as much nonchalance as he could manage. “Might run into traffic headed to the airport.”

Kendall walked out of the bedroom and kissed his cheek. “Good morning, Alex. Umm, you smell amazing.”

His ears heated. He’d picked up a bottle of some trendy aftershave last week at a department store. The saleswoman assured him women would swoon. She’d even slipped him her phone number. He didn’t care about other women. He only wanted to be swoon-worthy for one woman.

Dorian threw his arm over Kendall’s shoulder and pulled her to him. “Babe, what are you doing smelling my best friend?”

“I’m sorry, honey.” She patted his chest. “You smell amazing, too.”

Dorian smiled and bent down to kiss her. Alex rolled his eyes. When the kiss didn’t seem like it would end anytime soon, he grumbled, “Get a room.”

Dorian broke the kiss and glared at him. “We have one. You’re currently invading it.”

So they did. And he was encroaching on their couple-time. He didn’t care. Olivia was coming today.

Kendall glanced at her watch. “We should get going. I’ll grab my shoes.” She headed to the bedroom as a cell rang.

“I’ll get it.” Dorian picked it up. “Hello? Oh, hey. Thanks. Yeah, I can’t wait. She sure is.” He held up the phone. “It’s Olivia.”

Alex’s heart took off at a full gallop. Maybe her flight arrived early and she was waiting at the airport for them. He almost dashed out the door.

Kendall reached for the phone but Dorian held it away.

“Ah, ah, ah,” he chided, his finger ticking like the swinging pendulum on a metronome. “You have to pay the phone toll first.”

Kendall smiled and placed a palm on his chest as she stood on tiptoes to kiss her fiancé.

Alex rolled his eyes and tried not to puke. Yes, he was happy for his best friend but the woman Alex lo…liked was on the line. Priorities, people.

He was just about to leap over the couch to grab the phone when Kendall ended the kiss and put the cell to her ear. “Hi Olivia. I can’t wait to see you.” Alex hung on every word like a dog starved for a bone. “We were just about to leave for the airport. Are you here already?” Kendall’s smile froze and then fell…right along with Alex’s stomach.

At the look of distress on Kendall’s face, he felt like someone had punched him in the solar plexus. He suddenly couldn’t breathe.

“What’s wrong, Livvy?” Kendall’s brows scrunched in distress and her hand covered her mouth. “Oh, no.”

At the crestfallen look on her face, Alex’s stomach landed at his feet.

Kendall listened to whatever Olivia was saying. “I understand.” She looked at him, tears swimming in her eyes. Something was wrong. Kendall spoke for a few more minutes but all Alex heard was blood roaring in his ears. Kendall disconnected and managed a watery smile. “Olivia had a work emergency and she can’t make it. She’s not coming.”

“Aw, honey.” Dorian pulled her into his arms and she sagged against him. “It’s your wedding. Can’t she get someone else to do it?”

Kendall shook her head against Dorian’s chest. “It sounds serious.” She told them what Olivia said about a video and it having to be her who read the statement on the air.

Alex tried to listen but all he could hear was, “not coming, not coming, not coming” chanting in tune with the rapid beat of his breaking heart.