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PROLOGUE
JANE
Runningmy hands over the puffy skirt of my glittery pink ball gown, I walked slowly down the long hallway leading toward the rooms where the bridesmaids were dressing. It was almost time, and I couldn’t have been further from ready.
“Jane.”
My head snapped up when I heard his voice, and my eyes settled on the blue eyes of the man I’d thought I’d marry not all that long ago. I waited for the sadness to creep in, and I wasn’t disappointed.
I lifted my hand in an awkward wave. “Hi, David.”
I brushed my long dark hair off my shoulder when his eyes surveyed my dress. “You look nice.”
Taking a deep breath, I exhaled softly and smiled as politely as I’d been taught. “Thank you. You look very handsome.”
He gestured around. “Isn’t this place amazing? Did you know Emily found it?”
I knew that and nodded. “Yes, I know.”
“She’s incredible, isn’t she?”
This time when I nodded, I didn’t have any words. Swallowing hard, I pointed to the other end of the hallway. “I need to do something for Emily.”
“Oh, of course.” He smiled again and leaned in to kiss my cheek before moving past me.
For a moment, I stood still, sadness blanketing me again. Taking a few steps, I continued down the hallway and paused outside the door to the room where I needed to finish getting ready. I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t go back in there and feign excitement with everyone else.
Quickly looking over my shoulder, I hurried to the door on the other end when I realized no one was in the hallway with me. I pushed it open and stepped outside. Sliding to the side, I leaned my back against the brick wall and looked up at the incredible blue sky. It was the perfect day, perfect weather, perfect couple, perfect everything.
Looking down, I stared at the concrete and tears filled my eyes, but I no longer knew if they were for David or because I mourned what I thought my life would look like.
And I was so tired of being alone.
With a heavy exhale, I looked around. Maybe I just needed some fresh air. Pushing off the wall, I started walking until I found myself in the parking lot, but when I should’ve stopped, I didn’t.
I left the parking lot and went to the intersection before looking up at the sign and turning left on Main Street. I had no idea where I was walking to, but if this was what I needed to do before I watched my sister marry my ex-boyfriend, then I would do it.
If it wasn’t my life, I would probably find it romantic, but that wasn’t the case. It wasn’t pretend. My boyfriend fell in love with my older sister two years ago, told me, dumped me, and today, they’re about to exchange their vows.
In less than an hour, I would stand in a line filled with friends and cousins all there to be bridesmaids. I’d celebrate their happiness and the fact that they found each other and had no problem pushing me aside.
My mother felt all should be forgiven after she made them apologize, but it wasn’t authentic. Neither of them was sorry that their happiness came at a cost to me. But according to my mother, being a bridesmaid was the proper thing to do. We were family, and that was expected. I tried to forgive them almost as hard as I tried to move on, but unfortunately, I was stuck and couldn’t seem to move forward.
Continuing to walk, I felt my legs burn and realized I was no longer surrounded by buildings. All I could see was land, but that didn’t stop me. Walking felt good. It felt like I’d finally made a decision for myself, one that my mother didn’t force on me, and suddenly, I didn’t want to give up that feeling.
I had no idea how long I walked before I heard a vehicle behind me, but I didn’t look up. I didn’t want to see if it was someone from the wedding coming to look for me. I had my doubts they would, but considering it was Emily’s wedding day, they might because they wouldn’t want anything to make it less than perfect.
And it would be perfect because she was.
She was everything my parents wanted, and after they had her, they decided they’d have one more kid. But instead of another Emily, they had me. I didn’t measure up. No matter how hard I tried, I just wasn’t as pretty or smart or charming. My mom referred to me as plain Jane, and I hated it because she was right. She’d been the one to set me up with David after she and her friend decided we’d make a nice couple. My sister had been studying in France at the time and even stayed an extra year to teach English. My mom bragged about that for years, so by the time Emily came home, David knew everything about her. I honestly believe he loved her before he even met her.
And I could never compete with that.
“You need a hand?”
Startled, I stopped and looked ahead only to see two men walking toward me. I hadn’t even heard them pull over, but I could see their truck behind them.
I pointed at myself, but then spun around to check behind me before I replied, “Me?”
