“About Mary too,” he adds.
I stiffen despite myself.
“I was in love with her.”
The words land between us like stones.
Jamie says it so naturally, like admitting his feelings is the easiest thing in the world.
My grip tightens around my glass.
“That’s why I left two years ago.”
He turns his beer slowly between his hands, watching the foam instead of me.
“I thought time would change things. I figured distance would help us grow into different people and maybe one day I could come back and… I don’t know. Take my shot?”
He laughs softly, but there’s no humor in it.
“But when I saw her talking to you today, I knew.”
Now he looks directly at me.
“She’s not in love with me. She never was.”
My chest tightens.
“She’s in love with you, Finn.”
“No.”
The word comes out too fast.
Too sharp.
“Yes. It’s obvious to everyone. Except maybe the two of you.”
I slam my glass down harder than intended.
The alcohol makes me clumsy.
Or maybe it’s the anger.
Or the pain.
I don’t know anymore.
“You’re wrong. It’s an arrangement. A fake relationship to fool her grandmother. Nothing more.”
Jamie frowns, genuinely confused.
“An arrangement?”
“A fake couple.”
The bitterness in my voice could poison someone.
“To get Maggie off her back and help the village accept me. Mission accomplished. We can end it now.”
