"You were there when it happened?" I ask.
"I'm the one who showed her. I had heard rumors that he was cheating, but I could never catch him. They were having a party at his frat house. We told them we weren't going so I knew your brother would let his guard down. Then we turned up late because I had to convince Issy to go. I marched her up to his room, and like an idiot, he didn't lock his door. We walked in and caught him in the act. It was the only way she was going to believe the rumors because she was so head-over-heels in love with him. Still, to this day, I feel sick that I did that to her. But I couldn't let my best friend get played like that. She was in class with some of those girls he was sleeping with. They would smileand chat with her, knowing they fucked her boyfriend. To me, that was messed up," Harper explains.
"Totally understand. It sucks that all this time has disappeared between them." I sigh.
"Issy is stubborn," Harper says.
"So is our brother," Collette says, rolling her eyes.
"This is his wedding weekend. I don't think he's changing his mind," Harper explains. "And there is no way Issy is coming to break up the wedding either. She would never do that to Kitty."
Collette rolls her eyes again. "Kitty is a bitch. She puts on this wonderful act, but behind closed doors, she's a nightmare. Her image means everything to her."
"Money means everything to her," I add.
"But your brother seems happy," Harper tells us.
"Yeah, sure." Collette groans.
Harper shakes her head. "I'm not getting involved. He and I are not on the best of terms. And I'm not going to do anything to ruin his wedding. Think of the karma, guys."
"You're right." Collette sighs.
"Who are we to judge someone's relationship? Kitty and Pierre at home might have the best time in the world. I mean, they have to be in love if they are getting married?" Harper states.
"You're right. It's just our sister instincts are acting up," I explain.
"I get that. I have an older brother, too, and I'd probably be acting the same way."
"But we think he's making a mistake," Collette adds.
"It's his mistake to make, though," Harper adds.
"Lettie, let it go. It is what it is now. They are getting married in two days," I warn my younger sister.
"You live a continent away. I live and work with him. You don't see them together," she tries to explain.
"Leave it. Let's go inside and put our happy faces on," I tell her.
"Fine," Collette agrees unhappily.
Little did we know what was about to happen next.
5
JOELLE
The welcome dinner is a spectacle, long tables draped in white linen, gold candelabras, and flowers everywhere. String lights are woven through the trees. Kitty secured a million-dollar deal for exclusive wedding photos. Everything is content. Everything is performance.
I'm seated at the family table, Mom to my left, Collette to my right. Across from us are some of Pierre's teammates from the South Dakota Devils. Pierre sits beside Kitty at the head table, barely speaking, his jaw tight, his smile doesn't reach his eyes. He looks like a man walking toward his execution, not his wedding.
The dinner drags on, more courses, more speeches, more photos. Finally, the music starts, and people drift toward the dance floor. One of Pierre's teammates, Anders, who’s Swedish and charming, asks me to dance. Collette practically shoves me onto the floor with him.
"It's only a dance," she says. "Go, have fun."
Anders pulls me against him. "It's okay. I'm not offended that you're not interested." His comment catches me off-guard."I would have rocked your world, but I guess you'll never know now."
I burst out laughing as he twirls me expertly around the floor.
