I clenched my jaw, setting my glass down carefully. “Mom, let’s not make this about me for once,” I said, forcing a smile. “Sarah just got engaged. Let’s focus on that.”
After dinner, we moved to the living room. Evan slipped into storyteller mode, tossing out quick jokes that had Sarah laughing so hard she had to wipe tears from her eyes. Todd sat beside her, holding her hand like he still couldn’t believe his luck.
My dad chuckled, shaking his head at Evan. “You always know how to work a crowd.”
Evan grinned, raising his glass. “Hey, somebody’s got to keep the Parker family entertained.”
My mom leaned forward, still smiling. “One of these days, you’re going to meet a girl who keepsyouentertained.”
“Don’t count on it,” Evan replied, lifting his wine glass in mock celebration. “Being single is an art form.”
Todd chuckled. “I thought the same thing until I met Sarah.”
Evan gave him a pointed look. “Careful, Todd. You’re about to lose all your freedoms. Say goodbye to last-minute trips and hello to wedding Pinterest boards.”
“Don’t listen to him,” Sarah said, grinning. “He’s just bitter.”
“Bitter?” Evan put a hand on his chest, feigning offense. “I’m living my best life.”
I laughed despite myself. Evan had a way of lightening the mood, even when my mind was miles away.
Eventually, the conversation shifted to old family stories. My mom brought up the time Sarah had tried to bake a cake fordad’s birthday and ended up breaking her easy bake oven. Dad added the cake details, earning groans from Sarah but keeping everyone laughing.
The night dragged on, and I was nursing my third glass of whiskey when my phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out, glancing at the screen.
Natalie: Will, I was wrong. About so many things.
My heart stopped. I reread the message, my pulse racing.
I wasn’t expecting this. Not today. Not while she was supposed to be with him.
I excused myself, heading to the kitchen for some air. The words swirled in my mind.I was wrong. Did this mean what I thought it did?
I wanted to see her. Needed to see her. But first, I had to figure out what to say.
CHAPTER 30
BEGIN AGAIN
NATALIE
Idrummed my fingers on the steering wheel, staring at the dim glow of the porch lights in front of Will’s house. Taylor Swift’s “You Belong with Me” blasted through the speakers, and before I knew it, I was singing along, off-key and way too loud.
I caught a glimpse of myself in the rearview mirror and cringed. “Oh my God, Natalie. Pull it together.”
I turned the music down a notch, but not enough to stop myself from singing the next verse. There was something oddly freeing about belting out heartbreak anthems at night, sitting in a parked car like I didn’t have better things to do.
Or maybe it was just that Taylor got it. She got me.
I sighed, leaning my head back against the seat as the song faded into a softer ballad. “What am I doing?” I muttered.
Showing up at Will’s house unannounced was borderline insane. Okay, not borderline. Full-on. Who did this? Normalpeople waited for a response. Or maybe didn’t park outside someone’s house at all.
Usually, I’m very composed. But not when it came to him.
My phone buzzed in the cupholder, and I glanced at the screen. Meredith.
Meredith: Are you at Will’s?
