“Wow.” She nods thoughtfully. “I feel so seen.”
I smirk. “You’re not alone. Math really isn’t that bad, but you need a good teacher.”
She sets one elbow on the table and leans in toward me. “I bet you’re a great teacher.”
I shrug. “Maybe.”
She laughs out loud. “And oh so modest.”
Now it’s my turn to laugh.
The waitress comes with our drinks and the appetizer, and my phone buzzes in my pocket. I pull it out and check the message—it’s Chase.
Chase
How’s it going with Amber? She’s perfect, right?
There’s that word from him again—perfect.
Realizing my manners, I look at Amber. “Sorry. I shouldn’t have checked my phone while we’re having a conversation.”
She waves a hand. “It’s fine. More ahi for me.”
I chuckle and start typing my response to tell him it’s going great, when I see a notification on the top of my screen—a photo message from Claire. Before I can think better of it, I click the message.
Big.
Mistake.
It’s Claire…in a wedding dress.
The most incredible, perfect dress I’ve ever seen.
Maybe it’s lame to say that as a guy, I’ve pictured my wedding, but I have. It would be at the beach, of course. Simple decorations, flowers in her hair, me and the groomsmen wearing tan suits and no ties.
And, of course, the bride is Claire.
And she’s wearing this exact dress. Maybe I didn’t have all the details figured out, because I wouldn’t imagine sparkly straps and the way the fabric gathers in the front. But I did know it would be simple, while still showcasing the perfect woman—Claire.
Claire
What do you think?
A pit clenches in my stomach. Because Iwantto tell her it’s the most incredible dress I’ve ever seen, on the most incredible woman I’ve ever met. But she’s sending me this dress because she’s getting married to SOMEONE ELSE. Someone who is NOT ME.
I don’t know what to say to her. Any kind of encouragement will rip my heart to shreds. I’d also like to send a GIF of Bugs Bunny with the major heart eyes—won’t do that either. But I also won’t lie and tell her it looks bad.
“You okay?” Amber asks, drawing my attention to her. “You’re so pale.”
“Uh, no. I mean, yes. I mean…” I glance at her, then back down at my phone. “It’s just…it’s Claire.”
“Claire?” She pauses for a moment. “Is that your sister?”
I laugh, my eyes still on the screen. “No.”
“Cousin?”
I shake my head and look at her.
