“How fast? Like, yesterday fast?”
“Bella, please.”
“I’m your sister, Freya. We tell each other everything. How could you not mention that you and Ben were even dating, let alone engaged?”
The hurt in her voice cuts deeper than I expected. She’s right. We do tell each other everything. When she was having fertility issues before Sky was born, I was the first person she called. When I was struggling to pay rent two years ago, she was the one who helped me figure out my finances. We don’t keep secrets.
Except now I do. And it feels terrible.
“I didn’t want to say anything until we were sure,” I lie, hating myself for it. “You know how relationships in the public eye can be so fragile. I was worried that talking about it too much might jinx it.”
It’s a terrible excuse, but it’s the best I can come up with on the spot.
Bella is quiet for a long moment. “Since when do you care about jinxing things? You’re the least superstitious person I know.”
“Since I fell in love with my best friend and realized how much I had to lose.”
The words come out before I can stop them, and they’re more honest than anything else I’ve said in this conversation. Becauseeven though the engagement is fake, the feelings behind that statement are completely real.
“Oh, Freya.” Bella’s voice softens. “I’m not mad that you’re engaged. I’m mad that you didn’t trust me enough to tell me about it.”
“It’s not about trust.”
“Isn’t it? We’re sisters. We’re supposed to share the big moments with each other. I should have known before the internet did.”
She’s right, and we both know it.
“I’m sorry,” I say, because what else can I say? “You’re right. I should have told you.”
“Are you happy?” she asks finally.
“What?”
“Are you happy? Because honestly, I’m not that surprised this happened. I’ve been waiting for you and Ben to figure out you’re perfect for each other since we were teenagers.”
My throat tightens. “I’m happy,” I manage, and it’s not entirely a lie. I am happy. Terrified and confused and in way over my head, but happy.
“Good. That’s all that matters.” Her voice is warmer now, but I can still hear the hurt underneath. “When’s the wedding?”
“July. We wanted something soon.”
“July? That’s like two months away. Freya, how are you going to plan a wedding in two months?”
“Very carefully,” I say, trying for humor. “And with a lot of help.”
“I want to help. Let me help.”
“Bella.”
“No, I’m serious. I know I’m swamped with the kids, but this is important. You’re my sister, and I want to be part of this.”
The offer makes me want to cry. Here I am, lying to her about the most basic facts of my life, and she’s offering to help plan my fake wedding because she loves me.
“That would be amazing,” I say, because turning down her help would only hurt her more. “Thank you.”
“I should probably go,” Bella says. “Graham needs a diaper change, and Sky is suspiciously quiet, which usually means trouble. But Freya?”
“Yeah?”
