“Elly is taking care of something. She’ll be busy with it until the wedding.” Well that made me sound like I was going to be sewing her dress by hand. That was not the impression I wanted to leave with Stacy. I was no one’s bitch. Mostly.

“What he means is that I wasn’t invited. So, no, I won’t be going.”

“I see,” Stacy laughed as Kent kept his head down, eating pretzels. He couldn’t have respond without spitting them everywhere. Her attention was quickly drawn to a tall rocker-looking-dude who had entered the bar. “Hellooooo, stranger.”

I grinned as I quickly looked him over. He had long dark hair, a tattoo peeking from under his collar and his ass looked extremely nice in his dark jeans. “He’s doable,” I said.

Kent looked too as I pushed Stacy away. She was rubbing up on me like I was that rock god she was drooling over, “Oh my god! I’m not him. You’re so gross,” I laughed.

“I’m sorry,” she said, “I just…”

“Go get his number.”

She shook her head, “No way. Guys like to chase the girl, don’t they, Kent? Come on back me up here. Every guy loves a little mystery, don’t they?”

I rolled my eyes, “Seriously?? He’s never had to chase a girl. He’s getting married in a week and he didn’t have to chase her anywhere. She chased him. So obviously that’s what guys want. Get your hot ass off the stool and go over there.”

“She’s right. I’ve never had to chase.”

I nodded and looked back to Stacy who was biting her lower lip as she stared at the mystery man.

After a few moments she pushed herself away from the table, “Alright, I’ll do it.”

As Stacy sauntered off, Kent stood up too. “Want another beer, Els?”

“Yeah, sure.” I watched as Stacy flirted and then turned my attention to Kent who came back with the beers.

“So…” he tried to liven the conversation again.

“Mrs. Jennifer Lytle…”

“Sounds different, that’s for sure.” He nodded.

“It… does.” I nodded back. It sounded wrong. It should be Mrs. Elly Lytle. Forever. Til death do us part. I looked away guilty. How could I stare at him and share a beer with him in his happiness at my acceptance of secretly standing by his marriage when my thoughts were solely on possessing him? It wasn’t too late. He wasn’t married yet. He would be within a week and then I’d miss my chance. What was I talking about? He knew how I felt about him, didn’t he? He knew that I wanted nothing more than for him to dump her and proclaim his undying love for me. Kent cleared his throat, pulling me from my thoughts.

“Thanks for doing this, Elly.”