I cannot say the wordsseduce herto my best friend when we’re talking about her brother.
And the fact that I’m having sex with him.
And wanting to see him and date him when I get home too.
She shrugs. “You’re a year off your last break-up instead of a week. This is different.”
I do a fish imitation for a little bit longer.
“I know, I know,” she says. “This might be just a little fling. But you’re havingfun. I can see it all over you. Even if it doesn’t last, it won’t be any worse than it’s been with having you two avoid each other for the past ten years. And if it does last…then I get my two favorite people together all the time. This is the best wedding gift. Seriously.”
“Even better than the hamster balls?” I blurt.
Her eyes bulge a little, and then she giggles.
“Chandler wasso pissed,” she whispers.
“But it wasfunny,” I whisper back.
“I think it was just timing. You know he would’ve laughed his ass off if he wasn’t so stressed.”
I do. “I’m so glad I didn’t marry Christopher.”
The words leave my mouth, and I realize too late how that sounds.Christopher would’ve been an uptight ass during our wedding too.
Emma winces.
“I didn’t mean—” I start, but she squeezes me in a hug before I can finish.
“I know he’s difficult sometimes,” she whispers, “but I love him. I do. And I know we’ll be happy once we get through this.”
Oh, god.
That’s what I told myself every single bad date with Christopher.
Every. Single. One.
We’ll be happy once we get used to each other’s quirks. We’ll be happy once he gets a promotion. We’ll be happy once we’re living in the same town. We’ll be happy once we get through this.
Have I not been paying attention? Is this what Em’s been saying about Chandler for years and I didn’t notice? Or is this really just a hard time for them?
“Em—”
“Oh, did you hear that? I think Chandler’s back. He’s bringing an old friend from college. One I’ve never met, if you can believe it. Have to dash. Bride duties and all that.” She squeezes me harder. “Be happy, Laney. Just be happy, okay? And all the other stuff—it’ll work out. Theo’s complicated sometimes, but he has the biggest heart. Love you. Andthank you. You will never know just how much I appreciate everything you’ve done this week.”
I try to say something else, but she’s gone.
I clench my eyes shut and take a deep breath.
Everything feels wrong.
Everything.
Two arms loop around my stomach.
I don’t jump. I’m not startled.
I know who it is.
