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“Just accept the help.” Kendall reached forward and wrapped her hand around Marley’s, crinkling the envelope. “I love you, no matter how you came into my life. You were always supposed to be my friend, no, you’re more than that. You’re my guardian angel, cupid, and fairy godmother all in one. And you deserve to find your happiness.”
Marley’s eyes pricked with tears. “I love you too.”
Kendall wiped at her own wet eyes with a laugh. “Now that that’s settled, let’s talk wedding details. We’re going to do a small, private ceremony in two weeks at the Kent’s Winery, and I want to do a fall theme. Very simple and lots of DIY. Are you in?”
Marley went to Kendall and gave her a big hug, making Butters squirm between them. “So in.”
* * * *
Tuesday night in L.A., Luke met Brent for drinks at Casey’s Irish Pub, Luke’s favorite bar, celebrating Brent’s engagement to Kendall. Luke was putting on a good front, but the truth was, having Brent there made him think of Marley. How she smelled, how she felt held against him. The way her smile could light up her whole face.
He missed her like crazy and there wasn’t a damn thing he could do about it. She didn’t want him. Had pushed him out of her life.
Luke held his glass up to Brent, forcing a smile. “Congratulations on marrying the right girl this time.”
He took a deep draw of his whisky, but noticed Brent wasn’t drinking.
“What’s up? Not going to toast your own good fortune?”
“How are you doing, man?” Brent asked.
“I’m good. You know, just working, eating and sleeping. Don’t have time for much else.”
“That so? Because Kendall talked to Marley.”
Luke needed another if they were going to go down this road. Signaling the bartender, he didn’t respond, and Brent pushed forward.
“Seems like she’s pretty miserable without you, man.”
“That was her choice, not mine.”
Brent swirled his glass. “Maybe so, but I think—”
“Drop it, okay? I don’t need to hear how she regrets the whole thing and that I should call her. I’m not interested in anything she has to say.”
“Really?” Brent’s sarcasm grated on Luke. “You don’t want to know that she made a mistake and that she thinks she lost the love of her life?”
Hope stung Luke’s heart despite all his bravado, but he squashed it before it could fully bloom. “Did she say that or did Kendall?”
“I think Kendall interpreted it from all of Marley’s weeping and woe-ing.”
Luke laughed. He couldn’t help it, although the thought of Marley weeping because she missed him did soothe him a bit. “Woe-ing? Really?”
“Just what a little Kendall bird told me.”
Luke tossed back his whiskey, and set his glass down on the bar with a thud. “Well, she can stop putting herself in the middle of the drama and let it go.”
“Come on, you don’t mean it. I saw the way you were with her.”
Luke didn’t want to discuss the fact for a few, blissful weeks, he’d thought maybe he’d found the one. But it was going to be painful enough being around Marley without Kendall and Brent playing matchmaker.
“I’m assuming Marley is going to be at your wedding?” Luke asked.
Brent had the good sense to appear uncomfortable. “She’s the maid of honor.”
Luke took Brent’s glass of whisky and downed it. “Swell.”
“Just talk to her. I think that she was freaking out a bit and is scared you won’t forgive her.”
