As soon as I blurted the words out, I regretted it.
The invitation meant she would meet my family, but I also belatedly recalled the tension between Maria and Eden. Maria's best friend, Lissa, was the girl Barron had cheated on Eden with. And Maria was a loyal friend to Lissa, even though the other girl didn't deserve it. I had already felt a divide with my cousin over the years. The last thing I wanted to do was make that space bigger.
"I know it's short notice, so don't worry if you can't make it. It's all good -"
"No!" Maria cried out as she held her hands up to interrupt. "I wanna come. I would love to come," she eagerly agreed, her bare tits jiggled with her excited movements.
I tried not to let the disappointment show on my face as I fixed her with a too-bright smile. "Great," I weakly replied.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. I fucked up.
"And speaking of coming," Maria purred as she sat on her couch and spread her legs, showing off her wet pussy. I felt my dick twitch in response as I cast my bag aside again.
"Keep them spread," I demanded.
As I stalked forward to a moaning Maria, all thoughts of my error disappeared.
Chapter 3
Sofia
Isippedmywineas I watched Eden and Barron slowly sway on the dance floor. My best friend had her arms around her fiancé's neck as he looked down at her with adoration.
It didn't seem to matter that the song playing wasLatchby Disclosure or that the dance floor was filled with some of their friends and family actually moving in sync with the upbeat dance track. My best friends were in a world of their own.
Best friends.
It still felt strange, yet at the same time, oddly right to include Barron under that title again. Ever since the two of them had gotten back together, my feelings for him had changed. I witnessed how cut up and desperate he had been to win Eden back and how incredibly patient he was when she decided to give him a second chance. I respected him for that and consciously tried to get to know him again.
Ryan brushed up against me, bumping my shoulder. "Can you believe we're here right now?" His voice was slightly raised over the sound system and the chatter of guests around us.
"I know, right? It didn't seem that long ago that she wanted nothing to do with him. And now look at them." I nodded toward the happy couple, oblivious to everyone but each other.
They had gotten engaged late last summer, but because of Eden's work commitments, they couldn't throw their engagement party until the New Year.
Luckily, February was a slow season at Barron's restaurant, The Homestead, so he was able to shut it down for the night to host their party. He confided in us that he was eager to get the ball rolling before Eden wised up and figured out that she could do better. I hadn't disagreed with him.
But looking at my bestie now, with her hand stroking down the side of Barron's face as he continued to stare lovingly down at her, I knew that there was fat chance of that ever happening.
I'd be the first to admit that I used to be firmly in the 'never take him back in a million years' camp. After all, I had to witness the fallout of Eden's heartbreak all those years ago. But now, I could honestly say I loved Barron like a brother. He would sooner cut off his right arm before ever hurting Eden again.
Their road to happiness was filled with gritty terrain that burned your thighs and made your heart pump. But the end result was worth it.
Speaking of happy couples, I returned Ryan's shoulder bump. "Where's Gabe?" I had only briefly seen his boyfriend when he arrived but had yet to spot him since.
Ryan rolled his eyes in loving jest. "He saw some supermodel he's a fan of. He's probably stalking her for a selfie."
I snorted in laughter, genuinely happy to see my longtime best friend in love. I seriously thought that Ryan would never settle down. He was the consummate playboy, always on some dating app trawling for hot guys. He seemed satisfied with the status quo until he met and started dating Gabe. Even after his boyfriend moved to Philadelphia for a work promotion, they somehow made it work; the distance did nothing to dampen their momentum as a couple. They took turns visiting each other every weekend, but I knew that serious talks would need to be had between them soon.
"Oh my God," Ryan turned to murmur against my ear. "Look who the cat dragged in."
"Hmm?" I looked to where Ryan was discreetly indicating, and the smile instantly dropped from my face.
"What the fuck?" I hissed.
Hot red fury licked my body when I spotted the couple standing by the front doors.
I couldn't believe the gall of that man!
