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“No, I’ll find something.” She had some old dresses in the spare closet. One of them should fit.
“Good. And don’t panic. It’s literally just going to be our immediate family and Bran’s. His sister’s super nice. You’ll love her.”
“Can’t wait.” She tried not to sound too sarcastic or terrified.
Perrin squeezed her hands. “Thanks for this, Maggie. It really means the world to me.”
And just like that she knew she’d wear anything and say anything and dance to anything her sister asked her to, because that’s what sisters did for one another.
Chapter 25
Maggie tugged at the hem of her dress, wishing it reached her knees. The old floral sundress was something she wore to her sister’s twenty-fifth birthday, and it fit as good as it had the day she bought it. However, Maggie seemed to have lost some of the confidence that once helped her fill it out.
She paired it with a kelly green fitted cardigan and matching green peep-toe heels. It had been years since she walked in anything other than flats, so she needed some practice. Luckily, she had a long walk to town, since there was no riding a bike in a dress that was fitted.
Her toes were screaming when she reached the restaurant. She hobbled through the front door and looked for someone to direct her. A hostess appeared, asked if she was with the engagement party, then directed her to the back room.
Maggie veered off when she saw the bathroom, needing a minute to check her toes for blood. She used the facilities and inspected her shoes, expecting to find rusted razor blades in the soles.
Nope. Just plain old shoes.
A toilet flushed and she quickly slipped her high heel back on her foot. Turning to wash her hands, she reached for a towel and did a double take at the woman using the other sink. A fissure of recognition traveled up her spine.
The tall blonde smiled and dried her hands. “Are you Perrin’s sister?”
Oh, God. Was she part of the wedding party? Her mind raced to place her, not recalling how she knew her or from where but somehow instinctively knowing she didn’t like her.
“Yes. I’m Maggie.”
Without an invitation, the woman barged through every personal boundary and pulled her into a hug. Maggie stiffened and hated how good the other woman smelled.
“It is so nice to finally meet you. I adore your sister.” She let go and Maggie stepped back. “I’m Bran’s sister, Willow.”
As she smiled, Maggie’s memory placed her. She was the woman at the festival. The one who ran to Ryan and handed him what was likely her number. Everything from Maggie’s scalp to her toes went numb.
The woman was utterly perfect. Her full lips, her flawless skin, her almost silver blonde hair, nothing appeared out of place. Her legs seemed to start at her perfectly round and perky breasts and extend for miles.
“It’s nice to meet you,” she said numbly. Did Ryan ever call her? Did they have a history?
Willow held the door, all sun-kissed peach skin and perfected femininity. “Come on. I’ll show you where we’re sitting.”
As Maggie followed her to the back room, she couldn’t help admiring her willowy figure. The name suited her.
Everything about her, from the sound of her melodic voice to the delicate scent of her perfume, made her presence pleasant, but Maggie hated her on the spot. If this night had been for anyone other than Perrin, she would have made an excuse and left. But she was her sister’s maid of honor and she owed this to her. Besides, how bad could one dinner be?
“Maggie, these are my parents Seth and Mila. And this is my date, Ryan.”
Her fake smile fell as she came face-to-face with the one person she’d carefully avoided for the last month.
“Maggie, you made it.” Perrin came to her side and gave her a hug. Maggie clung to her, needing the added balance. Her sister leaned close and whispered, “You look incredible.”
“So do you,” Maggie said numbly. “Where are we sitting?” She needed to get away from that blonde gazelle and her Ryan. Not her Ryan. Her neighbor. They were only neighbors.
He blinked at her with an unreadable expression, and she couldn’t breathe.
“We’re over here. Mom, look who I found.” Perrin, thankfully, dragged her away.
For once, Maggie was glad to see her parents. Her mother eyed her outfit and hugged her, pulling her into the seat next to where she and their father were sitting.
“How are things?” her mother whispered. “Perrin says you’ve started therapy.”
“Not here, Mom.” Her mother had a habit of offering too much sympathy and personal details in public places.
“Well, you look beautiful. Your sister’s so thrilled you agreed to be a part of all of this.”
She watched Ryan, where he sat on the other end of the long table. Willow chattered at his side, and he stared at his plate, expression blank.
