Page 63 of Hairpin Curves

“You should be fine, as long as you don’t leave it burning.” Scarlett turned away and continued unpacking. Megan did the same, and when the candle’s top layer had fully melted into a pool of wax, she blew it out for the night. She didn’t feel any closer to direction or clarity since she first burned the candle a few nights ago. In fact, she felt more confused; her feelings toward Scarlett were a jumble, and she didn’t like jumbles. She liked order.

Megan had only spent two nights sharing a bed with Scarlett, but her bed already felt empty as she slid beneath the sheets that night. Would it be wrong to ask if Scarlett wanted to share again? She put the thought aside before she’d even fully formed it. They’d agreed to stop fooling around together. Sharing a bed would probably lead to more, if the last few nights was any indication. Space was good.

Too bad what she really wanted was closeness.

Scarlett had not anticipated what a fancy wedding this would be. Everything was a whirlwind of top-tier extravagance, from the gorgeous flowers filling the room of the wedding itself to Juliet’s spectacular gown. A few times throughout the evening, Megan audibly gasped near her—at the sight of Juliet coming down the aisle, later at the lavish decor of the reception hall, at the giant ice sculpture of a pair of doves. Privately, Scarlett thought it was a little over-the-top, but Megan seemed to be really into all of it.

“It’s really something, huh?” Scarlett asked as they searched for their seats at the reception.

“It’s unbelievable, that’s what it is.” Megan laughed. “I mean, it’s gorgeous, don’t get me wrong. It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever see. But it must have cost a fortune.”

Scarlett automatically pulled out Megan’s chair for her, not realizing what she’d done until Megan already sat down. Oops. That was definitely a relationship thing, not a friend thing. She’d have to be more careful.

“If I ever get married,” Scarlett said, taking her own seat, “I want something small. Maybe a backyard party, or an event at a park. No big extravaganza.”

Megan sighed, resting her chin on her hand and looking wistfully at the room. “I used to think I wanted a big event like this, but now I don’t know. Maybe if I married somebody rich like Juliet did with Gabriel. But I can’t see that in the cards.”

“Do you think you’ll ever get married?”

Megan smiled, but it was a sad smile. “I don’t know.” Her gaze drifted toward the windows that overlooked the setting sun.

God, Megan was beautiful. Her lilac dress hugged all of her curves and flowed gracefully to the floor like a lace waterfall, and she’d put her hair up in an elegant twist that Scarlett had helped pin into place this afternoon. She looked like a movie star, like Audrey Hepburn or some other classic film actress. Scarlett had thought Megan was cute, but she really was more than cute. She was beautiful. How could someone be so beautiful, and so smart, and still be single? Scarlett didn’t want Megan to be alone. She wanted to confess her love, to apologize anew for all the ways in which she’d been hurtful, to kiss those petal-soft lips and ask Megan to stay with her forever.

She was rescued from these dangerous thoughts by more people joining them at the table, finding their seats and introducing themselves. Fortunately, Juliet had seated them with people who spoke English, albeit with some gorgeous French accents. Apparently, they were some of Juliet and Gabriel’s college friends, several singles and a couple, folks who knew each other but went out of their way to make Megan and Scarlett feel part of the conversation rather than just talking about their college days. They were all beautiful people, all in their mid-to-late twenties, and in another situation, Scarlett could see herself hitting on one of several of the single guys or definitely the woman, Victoria. Tonight, though, all she could think about was Megan.

Megan excused herself to go get a drink from the open bar, leaving Scarlett alone with the rest of the table. “So, how long have you two been together?” asked Henri, one of the single guys.

Scarlett stared at him blankly for a moment before realizing his meaning. “What, me and Megan?” She looked back over her shoulder out of reflex, catching sight of where Megan was talking to the bartender. “We’re—” She paused, wanting badly to lie, to make up some story about their beautiful and non-existent romance. “We’re just friends,” she finally said, the words feeling strangled in her throat. “We’ve been friends most of our lives.”

Henri’s eyebrows went up, then drew together in a look of puzzlement. “I’m sorry. I misunderstood.”

“That’s all right.” Scarlett tried to laugh. It sounded forced. “So. Uh. Tell me about what you do for work.”

Megan came back midway through Victoria’s story about something hilarious that had happened at work the previous week, and she slid a glass in front of Scarlett.

“What’s this?” Scarlett asked quietly, not wanting to interrupt the story.

“I figured you’d want something, so I got you their specialty drink. It’s a little bit sweet, a little bit sour, the kind of thing you like.” Megan looked hesitant. “Is that okay?”

Scarlett smiled. “Thanks.” Megan got her a drink, and she’d given thought to what Scarlett would like. The way any friend would, a little voice reminded her.

As the meals arrived, the rest of the table drifted into conversation about something related to college, giving Megan and Scarlett some time to talk quietly together. “You know,” Scarlett said, because she couldn’t not say it, “they thought we were together.”

“Really?” Megan raised her eyebrows and glanced at the rest of the table. “I guess that’s not so strange. We came together. And we do match.”

Scarlett looked down at her gray velvet suit. She hadn’t been thinking of Megan’s dress when she bought the purple camisole to go under it, but it pretty obviously looked like they dressed to match. “I didn’t even notice that.”

“I thought you did it on purpose.” Megan flushed and took a sip of her drink.

Scarlett’s stomach clenched in longing. She was going to say something, she was going to say how beautiful Megan was and how she wanted everything to be real between them, but she was saved by the arrival of Juliet and Gabriel.

“Look at you both!” Juliet swept Scarlett and Megan into one crushing hug, and all their years of friendship came rushing back in an instant. They’d been inseparable, the three of them, making this friendship work during the years when most friendships fell apart. And then Juliet had moved away, and Megan and Scarlett had stayed close...until they weren’t.

They’d wasted so many years.

“I’m so sorry I didn’t get to see you before the wedding today,” Juliet said, stepping back and looking between Scarlett and Megan. “I thought I’d have more time. It’s been a blur.”

“It’s all right,” Megan said. “We thought we’d be in days ago.”