Chapter 02.7

I wandered around for a while, chatting with Brian, who gave me the rundown on every couple that showed up. Then Daniel arrived. He wore a green shirt and black pants. Paul greeted him warmly. His light blond hair was still cropped short—he hadn’t changed a bit.

“Go say hi,” Brian nudged me, then left me alone. I sighed and nodded.

“Happy Holidays,” was all I could think to say as I approached Daniel near the bar and offered a handshake.

“You too,” he said with a smile, shaking my hand. “Looks like school’s working out for you,” he teased.

“How’s Mickey?” I asked cautiously.

“Great,” he smiled. “Seems like he inherited Dad’s hands—he’s joining a crafts club.”

“That’s great,” I smiled. “And your mom?”

“She’s doing well too,” Daniel said with a smile. “I guess you’ve heard—she’s marrying Adam in the spring.”

“Yeah. Please give her my congratulations,” I said.

“Before you ask—Uncle Steve’s doing fine too, though lately we’ve started calling him Grandpa more often,” Daniel added with a grin.

“I’m glad to hear that,” I said. “I won’t keep you—enjoy the party.”

“Thanks,” he said, then smirked. “Not curious about any other family members?”

“I saw Dr. Cox a few days ago,” I replied calmly.

“I know. He told me,” Daniel said, still smiling. Then, after a short pause, his tone shifted.

“Jay… thank you for breaking up with her.”

“What do you mean?”

“I knew what she was planning for the summer. That’s why I asked her to enroll—so if things went wrong after a month, she wouldn’t lose her place at university. Honestly, I didn’t think you’d actually let her go. It seemed like you really loved her,” Daniel said. “So… thank you. Because of you, she didn’t ruin her life, and she can find someone who appreciates her as much as she deserves.”

“I see,” I said quietly.

“But if she ever spends time with you again, and you leave her stranded like that one more time—I’ll shoot you,” Daniel said seriously. “Mom nearly had a heart attack.”

“I’m sorry,” I said. “I wasn’t thinking clearly.”

“I figured,” Daniel said, offering a handshake. “I’m going to mingle.”

He walked off to chat with a few others.

“Well?” Brian appeared beside me. “Is he mad at you?”

“Doesn’t seem like it,” I said.

I forced down some fruit, and out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of a familiar dress from last year—a deep-cut, strappy one. My heart skipped. I turned, but it was just a tall brunette wearing it.

“Don’t wait for her,” Paul’s voice came from behind me. “After what happened at Tony’s, she told me she wouldn’t come.” He stepped up beside me.

“I need to talk to her,” I said. “Do you think I still have a chance?”

“Good question,” Paul replied. “She only ever mentioned you when you called her in the middle of the night or accused her at Tony’s.” He laughed. “She’s definitely still angry.”

“I heard she’s dating. What’s the new guy like?” I asked.

“Sorry, but that’s not something we should talk about.”

“Is she at least happy?”

“She’s definitely better off here than she would’ve been over there with you,” Paul said matter-of-factly.

“Thanks.”

I chatted a bit more with friends and acquaintances, but Jenny was all I could think about. The dancing had already started when I said goodbye to everyone.

I needed to clear the air with Jenny before flying back tomorrow night.