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“You’re proposing?” Tuck’s voice is incredulous.
“Yup,” Dallas says proudly, stuffing the box back into his pocket. “Julia told me she was into the whole marriage thing, and I thought, why the hell not?”
“Why the hell not?” Tuck repeats through gritted teeth. “That’s how you made that decision?”
I shoot Tuck a quizzical look, knocking him on the shoulder. He knocks mine right back.
Dallas shrugs. “I’ve known Julia was endgame since freshman year.”
“Have you, now?” Tuck scoffs.
I knock Tuck on the shoulder, harder this time.
“We’re happy for you guys,” I say with a pointed look, but the awkward sentiment thuds to the floor between us.
“Thanks. Guess I’ll see you two around, then.”
“Bye,” I respond for the both of us, since Tuck’s hazel eyes are so dark they’re almost black. Once we’re alone, I grab Tuck’s shoulder.
“What was that?”
Tuck yanks out of my grasp as footsteps approach us. I turn, half expecting to see Dallas returning, but it’s Tanner who approaches.
“What now?” I mutter under my breath.
Tuck’s mouth stays a hard line, so I assume the dreaded task of greeting him.
I swivel my head. “You lost or something?”
Tanner scans the empty Vanderbilt wing with a good-natured chuckle. “Nah, man. I was looking for you. Wanted to chat.”
“I’m getting out of here,” Tuck mutters. He storms off in the opposite direction. There’s no elevator or stairwell where he’s aiming, so I know he’s gonna have to circle back around eventually.
Tanner watches him go with a somewhat bemused look, then meets my stare.
“So, you and Kate, huh?”
I tense, then nod. “Yup.”
“Should have guessed something was up back at that scavenger hunt,” Tanner says to his lapel, picking invisible lint off it. “Didn’t peg you for a guy who’d try to take someone’s girl.”
“Then you must not know me very well.” I straighten with an easysmile, rocking back on my heels. “But Kate didn’t need taking. She chose me.”
Tanner says nothing for a long moment, as if silence can intimidate me. I almost laugh.
He breaks first. “Guess there’s nothing to say, then.”
“Guess not,” I agree.
“Take care of her, man,” he sighs, but he seems anything but defeated. If anything, it seems like he’s subtly enjoying our little conversation. Tanner strides a few paces toward the elevator, pulling out his phone. He curses and turns back.
“Do you mind if I borrow your phone for a sec? Mine just died and I’ve gotta confirm my car pickup.”
“Uh. Yeah. Sure, man.” Anything to get rid of this guy.
I pat down my suit until my palm hits my phone inside my left pocket. I hand it to him as Tuck’s heavy footfalls inform me he’s realized his dead end.
I stunt my friend’s path with a palm to his chest.
