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“Colton!”
“I said go back inside!” I spin around to face her. “Go back in there with your future husband and live the life I could never give you.”
Her eyebrows furrow. “What are you talking about?”
“Nothing.” I turn and continue to my car. “It doesn’t matter anymore.”
None of it does.
26
MCKENNA
The room is decorated beautifully with balloons and lace that match the theme of my engagement party. A large banner hangs over the breathtaking view of the water. “Congratulations Future Mrs. Hall.” The name on the sign matches the one of my sash. When Tatum does something, she really goes all out.
I’m talking to my grandmother about how I’m all grown up when two unexpected guests come through the door. Avery and Mrs. Brooks. It’s not that their presence is unwanted, I just didn’t think they’d be here. I excuse myself from my grandmother and go over to say hello.
“McKenna!” Avery greets me. It’s crazy to see how big she’s gotten. The last time I saw her, she was twelve.
“Hey, Av. Wow, look at you!”
“Me?!” She gives me a once over. “You look amazing! My brother is an idiot for not snatching you up when he had the chance.”
I tense at the mention of Colton but mask it quickly. “And Mrs. Brooks, it’s great to see you again.”
“You too, dear. Congratulations on getting married.” She gives me a warm smile. “I hope he knows what a lucky man he is.”
“Thank you. I hope so, too.”
After a few minutes, Ivy comes over and pulls me away. As much as I love Colton’s family, I’m glad for the distraction. There are too many people here for me to be zoning out thinking of what it would be like if things were different – if the sash read Future Mrs. Brooks.
THE DAY IS FILLED with games and tons of people asking me things like if we’re going to start a family right away and if we plan on moving to England. Apparently, marrying a British man means immediately leaving the country and getting knocked up. When Ivy saw me roll my eyes at the question for the fifth time, she implemented a new game – no saying England, baby, bride, groom, or wedding.
By the time the party is over, I’m exhausted. I’ve opened more presents and thanked more people than should be allowed in a four-hour period. I step out onto the back porch to get some fresh air and look at the water. Nothing makes sense to me. I should be in a better mood today. In one week, I’ll be getting married. This is supposed to be a happy time, so why am I just…not?
“Mind if I join you?” Mrs. Brooks asks hesitantly.
I glance back at her and smile. “Not at all.” She comes to stand next to me and the two of us admire the view. “Did you have a nice time?”
“Oh, it was lovely. Tatum is very good at her job.”
“She is.” I agree.
The sound of the water and seagulls fills the silence before she finally speaks again. “I have something to give you but I don’t want it to make you feel uncomfortable in any way. I just wouldn’t feel right keeping it from you.”
“Okay?”
She opens her purse and takes out a tattered envelope. “The morning you left for New York, Colton had rushed out of the house only to come back less than a half hour later. He had this in his hand. Maybe it was wrong of me to keep it, but I know that if you weren’t already gone when he got there, this would’ve gotten to you.”
Written on the front is my name in Colton’s handwriting. The revelation of everything is making my heart hurt. “He came after me?”
She nods. “When he came home, he wouldn’t speak to me, or to anyone for that matter. He crumbled up the letter and threw it in the trash.”
“Well, thank you, for saving it and for giving it to me.”
“Of course, dear.”
She places a hand on my arm and squeezes lightly before heading back inside. Immediately, I open the envelope and pull out the letter.
