“Shit.”
My phone rings, and I know it’s Tiff.
I’m late, and officially the worst bridesmaid a girl could ask for.
Missed the bachelorette. Missed the rehearsal dinner. Missed the dress fitting. I missed every single part of this wedding prep, and for some godforsaken reason, Tiff still wants me here today.
“Where the hell is it?” I fumble around the room, looking for my phone. When I find it under the bed covers, I’ve already missed her call.
No point calling her back. It’ll be quicker if I leave now.
I step over the clothes spilling out of my suitcase before slipping on my flip-flops and grabbing my room keys. Then I throw my door open and move ahead.
Thwack!
“Whoa!”
My hands are on a hard chest, and I know the voice before I look up.
“Morning, Honey.” Chris steadies me by placing his hands on my arms, making this only marginally less embarrassing than if I’d outright face-planted into his chest.
“Morning, Chris,” I say far too chipper to be believable as I step back and brush off my jeans. “Morning, Chase,” I mumble when I clock his brother next to him.
Great. Well, this just makes things worse.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to fall on you... I mean—on top of you.” I wince, lifting a hand to fix my hair, only stopping when my fingers catch in the knots. I can’t get the correct words out. It’s not entirely my fault. The last time I saw Chris, we kissed and I subsequently ran out of the room crying. “I’m just late and look like a wreck.”
“A wreck? Please. We all know you could wear a paper bag, and you'd still be the prettiest girl in the room,” Chris says, and I freeze.
The prettiest girl in the room.
My vision blurs, and all I hear is Zach’s voice. He said those exact words when I was in his truck senior year before giving me the most devastating smile I’d ever seen. It was the moment I realized I was in love with him.
My stomach rolls, and yup, I’m about to throw up at the mere thought of Zach. What am I going to be like when I actually have toseehim?
Chase barks out a laugh. “Jesus, bro. Could youbeany more desperate?”
Chris shoots his brother a glare. “Shut up.”
Chase chuckles, raising his hands. “Sorry. I'm just saying, if you're going to lay it on that thick, you might want to buy her a croissant first.”
“Croissant!” I blurt, sidestepping them both. “No time. I've got to go.”
“Where are you—” Chris starts.
“Hair and makeup,” I say over my shoulder, already speed walking toward the elevator. “I'll see you later.”
“Honey, wait—”
But I don't stop. Instead, I'm jabbing the elevator button frantically, and when the doors finally slide open, I throw myself inside.
I catch a glimpse of Chris and Chase as the doors close. Chris steps forward as if he's going to follow me, but Chase grabs his arm. They’re both watching me like I’m a flight risk.
Which... isn’t exactly wrong.
I’m pretty sure no one expected me to actually show up today. The only reason I’m here is because Olivia and Mike escorted me to the airport.
When the doors finally close, I relax and slump against the mirrored wall. Then I close my eyes, trying to breathe and center myself.
