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“Yeah, you could have.” He reached out and squeezed her shoulder. “But you deserve so much more.”
“I’m so sick of people telling me they made the right choice for me.” She curled her hands into fists. “I can make my own decisions.”
“He’s been scarred by his friend’s death and the role he irrationally thinks he played in it. Not to mention the responsibility of watching over his friend’s fiancée—a woman who, I’d bet anything, is struggling to adjust to life without her fiancé. He doesn’t want to put you through the same thing. Is that such a bad reason to end things?”
“Not letting me decide for myself? Yeah.” She lifted a shoulder. “But the motives behind them? No.”
“Sometimes the worst actions come for all the right reasons, no matter how wrong they might feel.” He finished off his drink and then set it down. “Do you understand my motives for being concerned about your welfare?”
“I get where you’re coming from, yes.”
Her father nodded. “Just remember that he and I aren’t that different.”
She tilted her head. “Are you serious?”
“Yes. He’s scared you’ll be hurt if he leaves.” Her father stood. “And I fear the same. Not so different after all.”
He left before she could reply. And honestly, she didn’t know what she would say anyway. He’d kind of blown her mind. When he put it that way, she saw everything—her family, Cooper, her own life—in a whole new light.
She stood up and smiled at her sister, who approached with a dreamy look in her eyes. “Hey, sis.”
“Hey.” Susan hugged her. “I have a surprise for you.”
“For me?” Kayla squinted at her. “It’s your wedding, not mine. You’re not supposed to surprise me.”
Susan peeked over her shoulder, her whole body vibrating with excitement. “I know. But this one is a good one. Trust me on this.”
“Oh, God. You’re not going to try to marry me off to one of the groomsmen, are you?”
“Would you go for it?”
Kayla scowled in response, causing Susan to burst out laughing. “I didn’t think so. Look, sis, I know you don’t want what I have, and I know you’re happy. We picked different paths, and that’s okay.”
“O…kay.” Kayla studied Susan. “Where the heck is all this coming from? How much did you drink?”
“Enough.” Susan giggled and grabbed Kayla’s hand with a surprisingly strong grip. “Come this way.”
Susan practically tugged Kayla across the room. And like a good Southern lady, Kayla kept the smile on her face, as if it wasn’t weird that her bride sister was dragging her across the freaking reception hall or anything.
When they reached the men’s bathroom, just outside the hall, Kayla dug in her heels. “Why are you taking me in there? I assure you I’ve seen one before—it isn’t pretty.”
Susan laughed. “Don’t worry. You’re not going in there. You’re stopping right here. Just stand still.”
And then Susan was gone.
Kayla scanned the room around her. The bathroom was to the left, and to the right was a sitting room of sorts. Gold couches, potted plants, dark wood tables and a mirror completed the décor. Oh. And Cooper.
Cooper was there, too.
“What are you doing here?” she asked, taking a step toward him and then stopping. “Why did you come?”
He gave her a tentative smile. “Can you come in?”
God, she’d missed him. “No. I’m staying here.”
“Fine. I’ll come to you.” He reached her side, but stopped a few steps away. ?
?I missed you.”
