This isn’t like her. She’s never late. Never doesn’t respond to texts. My stomach twists.
Something’s wrong.
I head upstairs to Marnie’s office, taking the steps two at a time. Maybe she got caught up with work and lost track of time. Maybe her phone died.
The door is closed but I can see through the window that someone’s inside.
I knock once and open the door.
And that’s when I see her face.
7
JULIETTE
February 10
My phone ringswhile I’m updating injury reports in Marnie’s office that afternoon.
Olivia’s name flashes across the screen and my first thought is: not right now. I’ve got three more files to process before I can leave, and Marnie wants these done today so she can review them tomorrow morning.
But it’s Olivia. And her wedding is in five days, and if I don’t answer, she’ll just keep calling until I do.
I grab my phone. “Hey, what’s up?”
“Jules, hi, okay so I need to tell you about something and please don’t freak out.”
My stomach drops. Nothing good ever starts with “don’t freak out.”
“What is it?”
“Nothing happened! Everything’s fine. The wedding is still on, everything’s great, I just—” She takes a breath. “I wanted to give you a heads up about something before you get here.”
I save my work and push away from the desk. This conversation clearly requires my full attention apparently. “Okay.”
“So. Garrett is obviously going to be at the wedding.”
“I know that, Liv. He’s Owen’s best friend. We’ve talked about this, it’s going to be fine.”
“Right. Yeah. But the thing is...” She trails off.
“Olivia. Just tell me.”
“He’s bringing someone.”
The words hang there for a second before they actually register. “A date.”
“Yeah.”
Of course he is. Of course Garrett isn’t coming alone to his best friend’s wedding. Why would he? It’s been almost three months since he broke up with me. That’s plenty of time to?—
“Jules? Are you still there?”
“Yeah. I’m here.” I press my fingers to my temple where a headache is starting to form. “It’s fine. He can bring whoever he wants.”
“That’s the thing though.” Olivia’s voice gets smaller. “It’s not just whoever. It’s... it’s her. The girl he was—the one he’s been with. And they’re engaged.”
The office is very quiet suddenly. I can hear the hum of the computer, the distant sound of someone’s voice in the hallway.
