She hugs me, running her hands up and down my back. “He knew, Ash. Your dad knew.”
I swipe at my tears as we break apart, grabbing a tissue from my purse and wiping my nose. “I wish I knew everything he’d done for me while he was alive. It would have put so many things into perspective.”
“He loved you so much, Ash, and he knew what he was getting into when he agreed to marry Pamela and pretend you were his. He knew about The Luminaries. He knew the risks.” She clasps my cheeks. “He knew that one day he could lose his life for those choices, and he still did it. He was a good man, and he would not want to see you upset. He sacrificed himself for you so you could live your best life.”
My cell rings, and Jase’s handsome face stares back at me from the screen. I swipe to answer, speaking first. “We’re almost there. See you in a couple minutes.”
“Okay, babe. Hurry. I miss you.” Ares snorts in the background before Jase hangs up.
I need to pull myself together. This is the last thing I should be thinking about three days before my wedding. Jase deserves more than Melancholy Barbie.
“We are going to come out of this on top,” Bree says, dabbing at my blotchy face. “And we’re going to change things for the better. I am clinging to that mantra, and you should too. We’re gonna get Chad away from that sick bitch tomorrow. We’re gonna make it work so he’ll be standing at Jase’s side as his best man, like he should be.”
“We will,” I agree, as we begin walking, because there is no other outcome that is acceptable to me. “Thank you for being my maid of honor,” I say, watching Jase appear through the doorway of the restaurant. He stands to one side, propping his foot up on the wall as he watches us approach.
“Thank you for asking me.” Sincerity bleeds into her tone. “You don’t have to say yes, but when it’s my wedding, I would love you to be standing beside me. I know it’s fake, but I still need you with me. Though I understand if you can’t.”
I stop a few feet away from the restaurant. “Of course, I’ll be there for you. For you and Ares.” I feel a little ill every time I think about Bree marrying the guy I’m falling for. But I know it’s fake, and it won’t be for long. I have to think of the bigger picture and getting Lilianna back will be our main priority after tomorrow night. I won’t make things harder for Ares. If he can make the sacrifice, then so can I. It won’t be forever.
“You’re my best friend,” Bree whispers with tears clinging to her lashes. I am still mesmerized by her stunning eyes. One is a silvery blue and the other a striking green. With her blue hair, her stature, and the confidence she projects, Bree claims attention wherever she goes. “I know I don’t deserve you, but that’s what you are to me.”
“You’re my best friend too.” Now I know she was helping Jase avoid fulfilling his familial responsibilities, it’s easier to forgive her for concealing things from me. Her heart has always been in the right place.
“What’s wrong?” Jase asks, materializing at my side. He bundles me into his arms, examining my face with a growing frown. “You’ve been crying.” His eyes harden. “Who made you cry, and where are they so I can knock them the fuck out?” He glances at his sister with narrowed eyes, and she glares back at him.
“You’re an idiot,” Bree snaps, and I giggle.
“No one hurt me, caveman.” Hooking my fingers in the waistband of his jeans, I yank him in closer. “I got a little upset about my dad, but I’m okay now.”
His eyes flood with empathy as he holds my face in his hands. “I’m sorry, baby.”
I shake my head. “Don’t be sorry. It is what it is, and I don’t want to dwell on it anymore. Let’s eat. I’m starving.”
* * *
Jase reserved a large circular booth tucked discreetly into the back of the restaurant, and I slide in between him and Ares. Bree sits on the other side of her brother, whispering to him, and I just know they are plotting something. It’s nice and private here, with no tables in proximity, so we can talk without fear of being overheard.
“I’m glad to see you’re both in one piece,” I say to Ares before grabbing a piece of bread from the basket.
“It was touch and go for a while,” he admits, sliding his arm over the back of the booth behind me.
“I want you two to get along.”
“Jase isn’t the problem.”
I look up at him as I tear a chunk from my bread. “You could have fooled me.”
Ares exhales heavily, and I pop a piece of bread in my mouth while I await his reply.
“I’d like to talk about this too,” Jase says, handing me a menu. “But we should order first. I told Carole we’d drop by on our way home.”
My brows lift. “When did you arrange that?”
He bops me on the nose. “This morning when I was running errands.”
“You’re just all kinds of organized today,” I say before kissing him. Our kiss deepens. It’s completely inappropriate for where we are, but I have been all kinds of needy with him today. We have been kissing and touching all afternoon as we went about organizing our wedding. I have this potent, inherent need to be as close to him as possible.
Jase chuckles against my lips as he breaks our lip-lock. “Always living up to your namesake.” He nibbles on my earlobe, whispering in my ear. “Park those desires until later.” His eyes flash with wicked intent. “We can fuck in the car. Just like old times.”
