She nods, sympathy etched into every line of her face. “Poor thing. How long is she staying?”
“Not long. I’m taking her back to the airport tomorrow afternoon.”
Lucy gives a thoughtful hum. “I’ll reach out to her, all right? We talk sometimes. I’ll make sure she’s okay.”
That stubborn look crosses her face. The one that says the decision’s already made, and there’s no point in arguing.
I chuckle, shaking my head. “You don’t have to do that, Lou.”
“I know,” she says, quieter this time. “But someone needs to look out for her, too. She deserves to know someone cares, don’t you think?”
There hasn’t been a single day in my life I haven’t been grateful for my little sister’s big heart. “You’re the best, you know that?”
Her grin is back in an instant. Smug little thing. “I know. Now go on, get out of here.”
“Aye, I’m going. Promise me you’ll take a break soon, yeah?”
She waves me off. “I’ll think about it.”
I glance back as I head for the door. She’salready deep in conversation with another customer, that same bright smile glued to her face, like the world couldn’t possibly throw anything her way that would make her flinch.
I make a mental note to swing by later and make sure she actually takes that break, even if I have to drag her out of here myself.
six
BREE
“Girl, let me see that rock again.”
We’re sprawled out on the couch at Juliette and Knox’s place, and I can’t resist the urge to get a closer look. She holds out her left hand, and I lean in. The vintage ring on her finger? It’s straight-up magical.
“Damn, he’s good,” I murmur, tracing the air around it with my finger like I can feel the sparkle. It’s mesmerizing, the way the light hits it just right.
I ignore the tiny ache that presses in. It’s definitely not jealousy, I swear. Just a small, innocent wish that maybe, one day, I’ll have my own version of this fairytale.
“This thing looks like it was plucked right out of a dream.”
Her eyes light up, that dreamy glow taking over her face, and a little rosy blush tints her cheeks. “I know, right? It’s perfect.”
“Perfect?” I snort, leaning back into the couch. “Girl, it’s a masterpiece. Now, talk wedding to me. When are we doing this thing? Where? Oh! And the most important part—what color am I wearing?”
She bites her lip, her gaze going all starry-eyed. “I really don’t want to wait very long,” she says, practically floating in her own little world. “I’d love to get married in the spring.”
“Well, we’ll make it happen. There’s no way Knox would tell you no anyway.” I shoot her a knowing smirk. I mean, let’s be real. The guy’s whipped in the best way possible.
“That’s so true.” Then her smile softens, and she shifts gears. “Oh, hey. I feel so bad that I didn’t get to talk to you much last night. I was a bit overwhelmed. How’s Dillon?”
Just like that, I’m yanked back to reality. There’s a familiar twinge in my chest, like my heart hiccupped. Without thinking, I tug at the hem of my sleeve, trying to hide the fact that it’s a touch harder to smile than usual.
My mind scrambles for something palatable that won’t open the floodgates. I could lie. I’ve done it before, smiled and said “we’re great” so many times it’s almost muscle memory. But the thought of saying that now makes my stomach twist.
I don’t owe anyone the whole truth, but I owemyselfjust a sliver of honesty.
“He’s okay. We’re…taking some time apart right now.”
There. That’s a half-truth I can stomach. Not the full wreckage, not the bruises beneath the fabric, but enough to breathe through.
Her eyes widen, her brows shooting up in surprise like I’ve just told her I’m running away to join the circus. “Bree, what? When did this happen? Oh my god, are you okay?”
