Chapters (35)
My heart sinks. “What? To whom?” My eyes bounce around all the girls, waiting for one of them to answer, but none of them do.
“Emily, sweetheart. That dress on you is fire,” Rebecca cuts in, making all the girls scatter.
“Fire?”
“Is that not the new term the younger generation is using when something looks incredible? I tried that TikTok, but all I get are food videos, and they use the word fire for a different reason.” God, I love her. This only makes me miss her more. I bet if we were still close, I would have made a dozen of those videos she’s seen.
“You look rather dazzling yourself.”
“I better. I was in the spa for five hours, and I’ll only get to enjoy it for another hour before my husband is pulling me out of here.”
“Not before cake, I hope.”
“He knows better than that.” She smirks. “How have you been? It was so nice seeing you today. I wish you’d come by more.”
“I’m sorry, things got—”
She grabs my hand. “I know, sweetheart, but that didn’t mean things had to change for us.” Her words hit me hard. She’s right.
“It was too hard.” A lump starts to form in my throat. I want to ask her about what the girls meant about Chase being promised to someone, but I don’t want to put her in a weird position.
Arranged marriages aren't a thing, but they kind of are at times. It would make sense why Rebecca would be pissed that Chase would bring random girls back to his home with him if he has a bride that is soon to be announced.
A deep, rich, familiar chuckle reaches my ears. I peek over to see Chase speaking to a tall woman in a black dress that has a slit that goes all the way up her thigh. Her legs must be a mile long. I swear I’ve seen her before, but I can’t place it. She has to belong to a family I know, but seeing him with her laughing has my mind all muddled.
“I need to go check on Molly,” I lie to Rebecca. That’s the last thing I’m checking on. I already know what’s happening with her, but what I do need is air.
“But the cake,” Rebecca reminds me.
“I’ll be back.” It’s a lie, and I know it, but everything is too much. I’m happy for everyone. My father has Grace now, and my brother is with Molly. I’m not the odd one out, but for some reason, I’ve always thought I was.
I feel my phone vibrate from inside my small clutch. I open it to see a text from the last person I thought I’d ever hear from again.
My mother.