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“What?” Ivy said, seeing me stare at her.
“Nothing.” I shook my head and sipped my cocoa. “I was just wondering what it would feel like to be loved as much as he loves you.”
She smiled. “Well, sitting here bitching isn’t helping you find out, is it?”
Why was everyone other than me right today?
God.CHAPTER SIX – SEBASTIANrule six: if your grandfather thinks you’re dating… you might as well just agree.“Holley? You’re bringing Holley?” Kate blinked at me across the kitchen island. “As in Holley-Holley?”
“No, Holly Madison,” I said dryly. “Yes, Holley.”
“Whoa.” She was taken aback for a moment and slowly lowered herself onto one of the bar stools, leaning right back against the back cushion. “I didn’t see that one coming.”
She and I both.
“I have to know how you pulled that off. Everyone knows she’s never forgiven you for Iris.”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” I snapped. “I’m sick of hearing about fucking Iris. You know that was a mistake.”
“Does she?”
“No. She won’t listen to me, but finally agreed to talk after your wedding.”
“Ah, it makes sense now.” She stirred sweetener into her coffee. “You beat her down until she finally agreed.”
I grinned over the rim of my Bears mug. “Nope. I tricked her into saying yes to going with me, then wore her down.”
Kate blinked at me, unamused. “You haven’t grown up at all, have you?”
“Yes,” I replied. “I’ve grown up a lot. But I haven’t seen her in years, and I feel like an idiot around her.”
“Don’t tell me you still have feelings for her.”
“Don’t be stupid.” I sipped my coffee. “I’ve dated other people since then.”
“Nobody serious.”
“What’s that got to do with it? I have a busy schedule. It’s not like I can drop everything for someone who doesn’t get that. It’s not like most of the women around me see me as anything more than a walking wallet and attention.”
“Has anyone ever told you that you need to keep better company?” She arched an eyebrow. “Just an idea.”
I stared at her. She wasn’t wrong. “Present company included,” I drawled.
“Funny. Brat.” She lifted her cup to her lips and sipped. “So you’re not even bringing her to the ceremony, huh?”
“I didn’t think she’d want to go.”
“Well, I haven’t seen her in a while. I’d be happy to see her there. Text her and find out.”
“I had to trick her into a party, Kate. Do you really think she’s going to agree to more?”
“Ask her and find out.” She pushed my phone toward me. “Or I’ll drive into town and tell her what really happened at prom.”
“You’re too old to be blackmailing me.” I grabbed my phone and unlocked it.
“And you’re too old to be doing the yes-no game with the girl you were once in love with, but here we are.”
“I was never in love with her.”
“I beg to differ, but whatever.”
I was absolutely in love with Holley eight years ago.ME: Kate said she wants you to come to the ceremony if you’re able to.“There, done.” I put my phone back down. “Are you happy now?”
“I’ll be happy when I’m Mrs. Perry and I can breathe easy,” she admitted. “Until then, I’m wondering if you have any liquor for this coffee.”
I retrieved a bottle of Irish cream from the bottle rack under the island and put it in front of her.
She poured it in until her mug was almost brimming over the top and, still gripping the neck of the bottle, leaned forward and slurped from the rim.
“You all right over there, sis?”
“Yup.” She finally released the bottle. “You have a text.”
A glance at my phone confirmed she was right.HOLLEY: I mean… I can, but I don’t want anyone getting the wrong idea.I relayed the message to Kate.
“Wrong idea about what? It’s not like anyone is going to believe you’re in a relationship. You’ve been back in White Peak a hot minute.” She rolled her eyes. “The only reason people would think there’s something going on that isn’t is if you give that impression. So… don’t give it.”
Right. Like it would be that simple.ME: Just as friends. Promise. She really wants you there.HOLLEY: Way to blackmail me into it.ME: Don’t shoot the messenger. Shoot the needy bride.HOLLEY: I’m not shooting anyone.HOLLEY: Although you are up for debate.ME: Do you even have a gun?HOLLEY: You don’t want me to answer that question.ME: Why do you have a gun? What are you doing with it? Defending your bookstore from literature-loving bears?HOLLEY: I use it to threaten overzealous, persistent, pain in my ass baseball players who won’t take no for an answer.ME: Thank God I’m not overzealous.HOLLEY: I’m not even going to justify that with a response.ME: Soooo… Are you coming to the ceremony?HOLLEY: For your sister. Not for you. Never for you.ME: Tell me how you really feel, nerd.HOLLEY: Call me that again and I’m going to blast your genitals into next week.
