I no longer had feelings for him, but the embarrassment is still as bad as if I did. His note hurt me. Did he really think I was sitting around, pining for him, unable to get a man? Would he believe that Luke and I were dating?
“I just hope no one figures out that Luke and I are lying and I look like a loser.”
“You’re not a loser. Many of us will be there as singles.” She shrugs like it’s not a big deal, like we didn’t spend our teenage years detailing exactly what we wanted in a future partner and how we both expectedto be in some sort of relationship by now. “Though I guess I didn’t get invited to the two-week long festivities.” She laughs. “I guess that’s what you get for your grandma being one of the Busy Bees.” The Busy Bees are the nickname we gave to the group that refers to themselves as the Bees, in town, on account of how much time they spend discussing other peoples business.
“That’s what I get for my grandma being best friends with Bitsy Haverbrook.”
I think of my grandma Lucille and her best friend, Luke and Rex’s grandma. They have been best friends since they were young girls and are now members of a small group of retirees who loved to gossip, crochet, and read books. Juniper and I call them the busy Bees because they always seem to be everywhere.
“Though I suppose that means Wendy, Josie, Summer, and Silvie will all be at the events as well, seeing as Gale, January, and Birdy are all part of the Bees as well.” I mention the other members of our friend group. Josie was a good friend from school, Wendy was her older sister, Summer had gone to school with us as well, but then had left Coconut Beach and Silvie was her good friend, who’d just moved to the island recently.
“Yep, and we’re all single, so it won’t just be you.” Juniper pauses with her knife up in the air, and her expression changes to one of contemplation. “I sure hope that Silvie is okay though, what with her just running away from her own wedding.”
“True. I didn’t even think about that.” Guilt courses through me as I think about our new friend, who came to Coconut Beach as a runaway bride. “Hopefully, she’s not regretting her decision.”
“Her ex sounded awful, so I doubt it. We shall all be the beautiful and happy singles at the wedding.” She starts chopping again. “Trust me, no one is even thinking about our status. Plus, didn’t she say she was going to try and work some deal out with Cal?” Cal was the manager at our favorite local bar, Cocktails & Chaos. He was tall, dark, and handsome and many a woman had fallen under his spell. Asides from me, of course. He was cute, but totally not my type.
“Yeah, that’s true.”
“Do you think Rex was trying to be funny?”
“Maybe, but if that was meant to be a joke, it was a fail.” I’m about to start bitching and moaning again, but I can tell from the look on Juniper’s face that she doesn’t want to talk about this for much longer. “I’m excited for tonight though. I hope Cal has some discount cocktails tonight. I want to party my ass off and not worry about spending all the money on my credit card.” I giggle and grab some cucumber sticks and take a bite. “This is not hitting the spot.”
“Make yourself busy. It’ll be a while.”
I step into the living room and look around. A feeling of contentment fills me. I love our little apartment. It’s not fancy, nor is it large, but we’ve decorated it to the best of our ability with the meager bank account funds that we have. There’s a large white sectional couch that occupies most of the floor space in the open-plan living area. The floors are a light pine wood, and we have one large colorful Moroccan wool rug in the center of the room. The walls are adorned with photos of us throughout the years, along with our families, and different paintings and photos we’ve taken of the island. A candle burns on the circular table, and a lemony scent fills the air. My phone vibrates just as I’m about to take a seat on the couch.
“It’s Luke. I’ll be right back.” I hold up my phone and hurry into my bedroom. “Lucas Haverbrook, are we crazy?”
“Yes.” There’s silence on the line for a few moments, and then he continues, “I’m going to video-call you.”
He clicks off, and then my screen lights up with a new call. I answer immediately, looking up into the phone. His blue eyes look tired and amused as he gazes at me. I watch as he holds up the invitation in his hand. It is exactly the same invitation that I received.
“Yep. I’m still mad,” I mumble, still annoyed, though I’m trying to process why I’m so upset. Is my hurt radiating from jealousy or bitterness or loneliness? I’m still not one hundred percent sure.
“Not as mad as me, I’m sure,” Luke says dryly and flips the invitation around.
He’s sitting in the living room of his apartment, which I’ve only ever seen on video, and he’s dressed in a nice button-up shirt. Which is unusual for him in the evenings. He normally goes to the gym after work, so he’s normally in a shirt and sweatpants when we talk.
“Wait, what did your note say? You never told me.”
“Oh, listen to this.” He clears his throat. “Hey, bro. You’re invited to the wedding of the year. Yeah, baby, your big bro is getting married. Can’t wait to see you at the festivities. Pity you’re a workhorse and have no one to bring, but, hey, hope you’re still happy for me. The best Haverbrookson.” He stops and rolls his eyes.
“Holy smokes, Batman,” I growl. “Your brother is rude as hell. I just don’t know why he would do that.”
“Yeah, he’s an ass. I don’t care about my note, but yours was intentionally hurtful … given your history.” Luke frowns, and his boyish, handsome face contorts into one of anger.
One of the nicest qualities that Luke possesses is that he hates it when anyone hurts me. He’s always been protective over me and my feelings, which oftentimes feels annoying, but I’ve always appreciated how he’s been there for me.
“Do you want me to say something to him?”
“No way,” I answer him quickly. “Don’t you dare say anything. I don’t want him to think that I care. Because I absolutely don’t.”
There’s nothing worse than being rejected by someone who never really noticed you. I’m sure that Rex thinks that he’s being funny, but that almost makes it worse.
“Okay then.” Luke puts down the invitation, and I see his jaw clench as he stares at me.
For a moment, my heart softens because I think he’s genuinely concerned with how I’m taking everything. The note, while rude and mean, is extra hurtful to me due to my youthful crush. The thought stings that Rex could be so cruel, but it doesn’t surprise me. Not deep down.
