AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Out with his dad and brothers. He’ll be back later for the rehearsal dinner.”
“Oh. Okay. I’ll go get us checked in.”
Sutton glances at me. I raise my eyebrows, silently asking if she wants me to come over with her. She shakes her head slightly, and I nod.
“It’s weird seeing you guys together,” Ellie says as Sutton walks off toward the front reception desk.
I clear my throat awkwardly. We never talked—just the two of us—in London. Haven’t really talked since we broke up, let alone since I started officially dating Sutton.
“But it also makes sense in a weird way,” she continues. “You two just had a whole conversation without saying a single word. We were never like that. I wasn’t sure what you were thinking, even when you told me.”
“I didn’t break up with you for her, Ellie. I mean, yeah, I realized some stuff when I met Sutton. Things felt right with her. I can’t really explain it, but I hope it’s how you feel with Eric.”
“I was so sure we were going to end up together,” Ellie says. “My parents couldn’t make it work, and I was so scared of ending up like them. I was convinced they hadn’t worked hard enough to stay together. And I was so angry and hurt when you ended it…I made her promise not to pursue you at senior prom—did she ever tell you that?”
I shake my head.
“People pitied me because of my parents. They talked about how strong Sutton was. I was so,sojealous of her. I wanted everything she had. The only thing she wanted that I had was…you.” She sighs. “I’m sorry, Teddy, really. I’ll apologize to Sutton too. I accepted you and I were over a long time ago. I just…honestly? I didn’t think I’d have to see who you ended up with.”
“I love her, Ellie. This isn’t a temporary thing.”
Ellie nods. “Yeah, I know. I tried to ignore it, but I saw how you looked at her in high school. I saw the way you looked at her just now. Honestly, I’m surprised you haven’t proposed.”
I say nothing, not sure how to respond to that.
Ellie reads my silence correctly. “Wow. You’re engaged?”
“I asked her two days ago,” I admit. “We haven’t told anyone. Well, I asked David for permission, so he has an idea it’s coming. But we didn’t want to make a big deal. This is your weekend.”
“Itisa big deal.”
“Yeah.” I don’t fully manage to tamp down my smile.
“Okay.”
I glance toward Sutton’s voice.
“We’re in lucky number 426.”
I hold out a hand.
Sutton rolls her eyes. “It happenedonce.” But she hands me the key card for our room to hold anyway.
Ellie is looking at Sutton’s bare hand. “I hear congratulations are in order.”
Sutton glances between me and Ellie, brow raised. “Oh…um—”
“Ellie was wondering when I was going to propose,” I tell her. “So, I mentioned…”
“You already had?”
“Right.”
“You should wear your ring at dinner tonight,” Ellie says, surprising us both. “Celebrate.”
Sutton fiddles with a bracelet. “Ellie…”
“No, really. I mean it. I have a lot to make up to you, and I can’t think of a better way to do it. Only if you want, of course. No pressure, if you’re not ready to announce it yet.”
