“Here you go, sir,” the server says. She places a plate of steaming bacon and eggs in front of me, and I thank her before digging in. I feel a little odd eating down here without Teagan, but she already told me I’d be doing breakfast on my own this morning. She and the bridesmaids and mothers will be taking breakfast in Saanvi’s suite.

I’m scrolling through Instagram when I hear someone clear his throat. I lift my head as Rich pulls out the seat beside me and sinks into it. Shit. Just the asshole I don’t want to see.

“Good morning, Carter.” He has a steaming cup of coffee and holds it between two hands as he studies me. “I wanted to apologize about last night.”

I arch a brow. “Yeah?”

He nods. “Liam’s right. I get a little . . . unreasonable where Teagan’s concerned. You know how it is, right? She was my first love, and then we grieved over my best friend together.”

I nod but take another bite of my breakfast instead of responding. I have so many questions, but I’m not sure I should be getting my information about Teagan and Rich’s history from Rich—especially considering the warning she gave me about how he manipulates people.

He blows out a breath. “I don’t think I’ll ever stop feeling protective of her, and I’ll probably always love her, but I do know she’s a grown woman who gets to make her own decisions. I’m sorry if I came off a little too intense. I’m going to make an effort to be better. I don’t want to be in the way of you two enjoying yourselves this weekend.”

Well, hell, that sounds downright mature. “Thank you, Rich.”

“You’re welcome. Let me know if I can help at all, okay?”

Unlikely. “I don’t think we’ll be needing anything, but thanks anyway.”

He nods. “I know it’s hard for her to talk about the past, so if you have any questions, I can fill in details. I want her to be happy.”

“I think what she needs to be happy is for you to let her go.” I pause a beat. “Completely.”

Anger flashes in his eyes—there and gone in a beat—and then he smiles at my nearly empty plate. “I remember those days.”

I frown at the bite of eggs remaining. “What days?”

“The run-ragged-by-Teagan days.” He looks at his watch, then back to me. “I mean, here you are before the sun’s up, trying to get some basic sustenance.” He holds up his hands, palms out. “Been there, done that. I’m not judging.”

Dude, you almost made it through a conversation acting like a civilized adult and you had to go and ruin it. “Maybe you should mind your own business.”

“I’m just being friendly. And hell, I remember what it’s like. If Teagan’s anything like she used to be with me . . .” He looks around the room, ostensibly to make sure we’re still alone, before dipping his head and adding in a quieter voice, “And Heath? That dude was my best friend, and I mean no offense when I say he couldn’t keep up with her, and he tried. Not that it mattered to Teagan. She’s a modern woman with needs . . . And I didn’t mind helping her out with those.” He winks at me and stands, and I’m fucking speechless.