AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I can get my own ring.”
“Over my dead body.”
“Excuse me?”
“If you’re wearing my ring, then I’m buying the damn ring.”
“Fine, you want to buy me a ring, then buy me a ring.”
We spent the next four hours talking with an array of people. I’d been introduced so many times, I couldn’t remember a single name. I did meet Garrett about halfway through the party. He was nothing like I expected. Not that I really expected much, but I thought he’d be more man than boy. At twenty-five, he looked as if he just graduated high school. I almost wanted to ask him for his ID to confirm my suspicions, but I’d made enough spectacles for a day.
He never took Parker’s hand in his or offered her a kiss. Come to think of it, they barely looked at each other. Either they had a massive fight before the party, or they didn’t like each other.
We stepped outside, the air brushing against my face and cooling down my skin. I took Phoebe’s hand in mine because I could. “Did you think it was weird how Parker and Garrett—”
“Yes. It was so strange. She showed me more affection than she did her own fiancé.”
“What do you think that’s about?”
“Maybe she’s marrying him for his money. Like mother, like daughter. Not that my dad is rich by any means, but he had a good job.”
“What did you say to her earlier?”
“What do you mean?”
“You whispered something in her ear.”
“Oh that. I told her I’d call her, and we could work something out.”
“I think that was the happiest I’d seen her all night.”
“I think you’re right. Strange. But not my problem.”
“She’s your sister.”
“Half-sister. And if you haven’t noticed, my family is nothing like yours. Parker and I don’t really have much of a relationship.”
“It doesn’t mean you can’t change that.”
“Even if I wanted to, Marion would never let it happen.”
“You and Parker are grown women. Marion doesn’t have a say in what you two decide.”
“You have met the woman, right? She inserts herself into everyone’s business. I wouldn’t be surprised if she started bad-mouthing me to Parker in order to keep Parker from talking to me.”
“You’re probably right, but I think you’re doing yourself a disservice by at least not trying. My siblings are pains in my ass, and I want to strangle them most days, but I also know they will be there for me at the drop of a hat. It’s nice to have people is all.”
“I don’t see it happening. Not with Marion around.”
“I don’t understand why your dad doesn’t leave her. She must be able to suck a bowling ball through a hose.”
“Ew gross! Don’t even.” Phoebe’s hands smacked against her eyes. “Oh my god, I can’t stop the visual. I hate you.”
I laughed at her exaggerated gag, the girl from my past reanimating herself right in front of my eyes. The wind knocked right the hell out of me, and I stared at her, remembering the fun we used to have. How effortless it was to be around each other. Sometimes it seemed like a lifetime ago, then other times it felt like it was yesterday.
She stopped, turning toward me. A slight breeze cut through the night, tossing her silky blonde strands across her face before fluttering into place as the air settled. The streetlights lit the sidewalks and highlighted her beauty, a radiance so divine I wanted to drop to my knees and worship her.
Time could be cruel, but when it came to Phoebe, like a fine wine, time had been generous. She looked the same, yet so very different. The innocence she once exerted was lost to the past, but the confidence she wore wrapped around her like a beautiful cape.
