68
Macey
* * *
From my spot underneath the leaves of the oak tree, I wipe my brow and squint up at the sky. The sun is shining brighter than ever, but it can’t brighten my dark mood.
“Mace?” Ben leans closer. “Are you all right?”
I straighten up and give a firm nod. “I can’t believe I’m so emotional. I really thought I’d handle today better than I am. I’m sorry.”
“Hey.” Ben squeezes my shoulder. “Don’t be. I just hate seeing you hurting like this. You know, your ‘arrangement’ that you and Logan had—maybe it wasn’t meant to last.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean ‘friends with benefits’ isn’t exactly a recipe for forever, is it?”
“No,” I say slowly. “That’s why I thought it worked so well. I can’t do long-term, Ben. You know that.”
“No, I don’t,” he says in a quiet tone. “Only you think you’re unlovable for the long haul, Mace.”
I turn my head so I can meet his steady gaze.
“Just think about it, okay?”
“Okay.”
“Looks like the party’s finally over. I’ll see you later.”
I wave goodbye, but before I can leave, Gigi rushes me. “Guess what, Macey? After we marry here and become saviors to that poor made-up ghost, Logan and I are going to get married again in Orlando at the castle, and you and your family are all invited!”
I stare at her.
“Daddy’s going to pay for anyone who can’t afford their own way,” she says in a tone that I know is meant to be thoughtful.
I clench my jaw and swallow hard. “That’s very kind of him.”
“Let’s talk about this later,” Logan says as he appears behind Gigi.
She pouts and then tells him she’s going for a drive with her parents. He gives her a short nod and she hugs him goodbye. As Mama and Daddy watch their exchange with interest, I pretend not to listen.
Once Gigi’s gone, Logan thanks my parents for their gift certificate to the Backyard Restaurant.
“Gigi needs to get into town more,” Mama says. “And understand where you come from, Logan.”
“Mama, please,” I say.
“Well, she does.” Mama gives me a sideways look. “She probably doesn’t understand how a small town works. You really should bring her to Queen Austen next week for opening night.”
“We’ll be there,” Logan promises. Then, he turns to me.
And the look in his eyes—I don’t know what he wants to say, but it looks like he’s carrying a secret the size of Texas on his shoulders. “Mace, I need to talk to you for a minute. It’s important.”
I nod and follow him across the grass, trying to pull myself together.
Shit.
Logan’s engagement party hit me far harder than I’d wanted it to.
