Colliding with You

Chapter 2-2

Jesse stood near the second pew from the altar while Theo and Cassie spoke with the minister about the impending ceremony. He caught a glimpse of Cori while she talked with the other women about something he couldn’t hear. At this point, he was glad she wasn’t focused on him.

Whatever came over him outside, he hadn’t been able to shake it. He knew damn well it hadn’t been six years since he last saw her. Yet in a way, it had. He had no clue she was the infamous Cee Cee that invited Theo and him to a local nightclub their first weekend back in Savannah. He’d paid her little attention once they arrived, especially after the way she and her friend hung all over Theo.

Strangely enough, the girl she was with that night wasn’t the same one she was with tonight. It took him a few minutes, but he finally recognized Mariah Grant. She’d been to a few of his sister’s sleepovers. Jamie had plenty, and Cori was usually there too.

They were such brats back then, and he loved every second he agitated them. He did plenty to get beaten by his sister’s fists, as well as her friends’. They yelled, squealed, and complained to his mother more times than he could count. Still, he would have done anything for them, especially Cori . . .

Too bad she offered herself to Theo over the summer. Thankfully, his friend didn’t follow through. If he had, none of them would be standing inside the church, prepping for a wedding. Theo and Cassie belonged together. They always had.

Even so, Jesse never imagined being this attracted to Cori. She was his best friend’s future sister-in-law. Messing with her wouldn’t end well, and he didn’t want anything to ruin his friendship with Theo, or Cassie for that matter.

So why couldn’t he stop thinking about Cori?

An elbow met his ribs, drawing his attention to Allen. He had a cheesy grin on his face as he leaned closer. “Wanna make a wager?”

Jesse shook his head. “You can’t bet in church, dude. What’s wrong with you?”

Allen did his best to stifle his laughter. “I’m just saying, man. We have to walk one of the bridesmaids up the aisle once the ceremony is over. I’d be willing to bet you end up with Cori.”

“Well, considering it’s just her and Nora as bridesmaids, I’d say my odds are fifty-fifty. Don’t worry. You’ll get your shot with Nora.”

Waggling his brows at Allen, Jess wasn’t surprised when his friend punched his arm. “All I’m going to say is if I’m wrong and you end up walking with Nora, you better keep your hands in check.”

Jesse snorted. “Likewise. I’ve known Cori most of her life. Underneath her tough exterior is a sweet girl who loves her family and friends. She doesn’t deserve to be hurt by anyone.”

Including me.

He didn’t dare make that confession aloud. Allen would never let him live it down. It was the nature of their friendship. Any opportunity they could razz each other, they did it with a vengeance.

While he wasn’t a player by any means, he wasn’t interested in any female that came with strings. Relationships of any kind were off the market. He had a band to focus on. Nothing else could precede that.

The conversation died out a moment later. Not long after it did, Theo and Cassie parted ways. She went to speak with her bridesmaids while Theo strolled their way.

“Okay, guys, listen up. If we can get through this with no mistakes, we’ll only have to rehearse it twice. Cassie’s a little tired, and neither of us wants to be out late.”

“You say that like you think we’ll screw off or something,” Allen teased.

“I can’t imagine why I’d think something like that. It’s not like you guys ever get out of hand.”

“Who, us?” Allen motioned between himself and Jesse. “Nah. We’d never do something like that.”

“Watch it, Sayers,” Theo scolded. “The last thing you want is Cassie Clarke on your ass.”

“Dude, I don’t want any girl near my ass.” Allen retorted.

“You know what I meant.”

Jesse ignored their bantering as he noticed the girls walking toward the foyer. His eyes fell on Cori’s waist and hips. He loved the way they swayed when she moved, but when she disappeared from his sight, he felt restless.

He needed to get himself in check. She was just on the other side of the wall. It wasn’t like she’d left. Even if she had, what was it to him? They weren’t in a relationship. All this wedding stuff with Theo and Cassie was getting to him. That was it. He was happy for his friends. His mind was over-celebrating.

Theo and their bandmate, Jeff, were happy being involved with one woman for the rest of their lives. Even Theo’s brother, Jonah, was married to Ally, Cassie’s closest friend. Jesse respected them, but he didn’t want the same. There were too many beautiful women in this world to settle down with one.

Unless it was with someone as fascinating as Cori.