Page 120 of Falling for the Billionaire Best Man

46

KAISEN

Itold myself I was making the right decision, that I was protecting her, that I was doing what was best for both of us. I would only hurt her in the long run. The pain she was suffering now was nothing compared to what would happen. I didn’t want her to feel like she wasted years of her life with me when she could have been looking for the man that she truly deserved.

I went back to the reception and got another drink. My goal was to get shit-faced. I wanted to drown my sorrows. But the first sip of the whiskey just wasn’t hitting.

I leaned against the bar, his fingers tight around the glass. The party was in full swing. Couples swayed on the dance floor looking all in love. I stared at them, my stomach twisting. They looked so happy, so unburdened. It was a stark contrast to the storm raging inside me.

I took another sip of the whiskey, but it did nothing to numb the ache in my chest. I waited, watching the door expecting to see Dorie come in. She didn’t return.

I hated myself for driving her away. But what else could I do? I couldn’t let her waste her life on someone like me. Someone broken. Someone who would only disappoint her in the end. She deserved to have what her twin had. Eliza would soon have a family, and I knew Cullen was going to be a good husband.

That was what I wanted for Dorie.

“Kaisen.”

I turned at the sound of Samantha’s voice. She stood beside me, her perfectly sculpted brows raised in concern. Her dress, which was similar to Dorie’s but a lot tighter and sexier, shimmered under the lights. She smelled like expensive perfume. She was beautiful, poised, everything I should want. But she wasn’t Dorie.

“Hello,” I said.

“You look like you’re carrying the weight of the world,” she said. “Come dance with me. It might help.”

I shook my head, my gaze drifting back to the dance floor. “I’m not really in the mood.”

“You’ve been sulking all night,” she pressed, her tone teasing but with an edge of frustration. “Let me make you feel better.”

Samantha was one of those women that provided distraction for one night. She promised about twelve hours of pure escapism, but nothing more. And right then, that was all I wanted—something to drown out the gnawing guilt and regret that clung to me like a second skin. But even as she stepped closer, her fingers brushing against my arm, I couldn’t shake the image of Dorie’s face when I walked away from her on the beach. The way her eyes had searched mine for answers I couldn’t give.

Samantha reached for my hand and gently pulled. I wasn’t going to get away. I put the glass down and let her lead me onto the dance floor.

The music was some upbeat pop song I didn’t recognize. She turned to face me, a smile playing on her lips, her hips already swaying to the rhythm. I tried to match her moves, but my movements felt stiff, mechanical. My mind was elsewhere.

She stepped closer, her fingers trailing up my arm. I forced myself not to flinch. Her perfume was overwhelming, sweet and heavy, nothing like the soft vanilla scent Dorie always carried. Samantha tilted her head up, her lips parting slightly in an invitation I had no intention of accepting. I looked away, my eyes scanning the crowd.

Couples surrounded us, lost in their own little worlds. Some laughed, some whispered into each other’s ears, their faces glowing with happiness. A pang of envy twisted in my chest. That could’ve been me and Dorie—should’ve been me and Dorie—if I hadn’t screwed it all up. But no, instead I was here, dancing with someone who meant nothing to me while the woman I cared about was probably hating me a little more with every passing second.

Samantha’s hand slid to my shoulder, her nails lightly grazing the fabric of my jacket. “You’re not really here with me, are you?” she murmured, her voice laced with a mix of amusement and irritation.

I forced a tight smile. “Just thinking.”

“About her?” she asked bluntly, raising an eyebrow.

I stiffened, my jaw tightening. “It’s complicated.”

She laughed softly, a sound that felt more mocking than genuine. “Isn’t it always? I think we both know who we’re talking about. I have to be honest, I never really saw you guys as a thing. Talk about oil and water.”

Samantha didn’t know me, and she certainly didn’t know Dorie. “Dorie is an amazing woman,” I said.

“Sure.” She shrugged. “Look, you’re obviously in a mood. You don’t want to be here. Why don’t we go back to my room? I’ll help you forget all about the little baker.”

I flinched. My first reaction was to tell her to fuck off. She had no business talking about Dorie like that. But honestly, she wasn’t worth the effort. Dorie was a hundred times more everything than Samantha. She didn’t have to compete, and she certainly didn’t need me to defend her.

“Thanks, but I’m leaving.”

She looked surprised. “You’re leaving?”

“Yes. Have a good night.”