I throw my arms around Lola the second she’s within reach and hold her tight to my chest. She lays her head on my boobs like she always does as a joke since she can’t reach higher. “I’ve missed you,” she mumbles.
I playfully narrow my eyes at Sadie. “See, she missed me too.”
I lean over and kiss Ev hello, then turn my attention back to Lola. “You’re in a much better mood than when I left you back in London.”
Sadie pushes me out of the way to wrap her arms around Lola. “Maybe it’s because she’s bringing a mysterious date.”
I pause and glare at my friend. “What date? You never told me you were bringing someone.”
She smiles awkwardly. “Well, it was sort of a last-minute decision.”
I eye her suspiciously. “I thought you were done with the curls,” I say, fluffing up her hair. She’s done it beautifully, the frizz is gone, and the top is blow-dried, leaving the bottom voluminous and curly.
“My love for my curls is back.” She smirks, looking past me.
“Not that she had a choice. She’s done with straight hair. I like it natural,” a familiar voice booms from behind me, and the way Sadie’s eyes practically fall out of her head, I know I’ve heard right.
“W-what’s going on?” I cry and fling myself at my brother Matthew. “Matty, what are you doing here?”
He ignores me and leans over to kiss Sadie on the cheek. “Sadie-girl is all grown-up. I can barely believe it. Congratulations.” Sadie’s in shock and hasn’t said a word.
“Hello! Can someone tell me what’s going on? I thought you said you couldn’t make it to the wedding.”
Wait…
I look between him and Lola. What did he just say about her hair?
“Can someone explain what’s going on?” I glance up at Matthew, who walks over to Lola and embraces her from her behind.
“Hi, baby girl,” he murmurs, then leans down and kisses her forehead.
Both Sadie and I freeze in shock…What the actual fuck?
Matty turns to Sadie and apologizes. “It was never our intention to bring this up today, but we knew you would see us here together and wonder.”
“Our intention… here together,” I mumble to myself, then turn to Lola, who is doing everything in her power not to make eye contact. “Lola, look at me,” I demand.
“I-I…” Lola stutters.
“Shh, I got it,” Matthew whispers to her softly. “This’ll probably come as a surprise, but Lola and I are together. We met when I was in London a few weeks ago, and what was supposed to be some fun turned into so much more. We fell in love.”
“This will probably come as a surprise?” I shout. “Um, yeah, I would fucking say so… Wait, did you say in love?” I look between them. Lola is white as a ghost, standing there like a statue, mute.
“What’s going on over here? Why are you yelling, B?” Jack asks as he enters the garden cautiously, taking in the situation.
He throws his arms over Sadie and me, kissing us both hello before turning toward Matthew and Lola.
“Hughes, I didn’t realize you were coming. Neither Theo nor Belle mentioned it.” He takes his arm off me quickly to shake my brother’s hand.
“He’s here with Lola,” I interrupt. “Like, together as a couple.”
Jack freezes, and I see it in his face he’s just realized something. “This is who you were with all week when we spoke?” He directs his question to Lola, and she nods, still no words.
“Okay, I’m losing my mind. Someone start from the goddamn beginning. Now.”
Matthew’s eyes hold mine. “Lola and I met the day of your five-year anniversary party and we had an instant attraction. She knew I was leaving and I was sick of dating, so we agreed to have a week of fun while I was in town. We ended up developing feelings for one another instead.”
I turn toward Jack. “What did you mean before when you said you two spoke?”
