Page 16 of Let Me Keep You

“From now on, I’d go with one of those names instead.”

“You haven’t changed a bit.” She hands me the pole.

“What’s that mean?” I’m more different than she’ll ever realize.

“Means you’re still my annoying big brother.” She points at the wall. “Now put them up there for me, would ya?” She grins, then pats my arm before walking away.

Once I’m done figuring out which shirt goes where and how to balance the hangers properly on this stupid retriever pole, I do exactly what she asked. When I’m finished, I find Everleigh on the other side of the store.

“Gemma said they picked a date for the wedding. When is it?”

“March thirteenth.”

Only seven months away.

“They were engaged a long time before setting one.”

“Mm-hmm. He proposed early on, like he wanted to claim her and make sure everyone knew she was his, but he wasn’t in a rush to actually get married.”

“Why do you think that is?” I watch as she organizes a shelf of candles.

“Honestly…” She looks over her shoulder, frowning. “I think she likes the idea of loving him and having the picture-perfect life, but in reality, she’s second-guessing if it’s the right thing to do. Gemma loves her cottage, and I know it’s been eating at her to give it up, which is why she won’t move in with him.”

“They don’t live together?”

“Nope. He’s been asking for months, and she’s adamant about waiting.”

Interesting.

“So why’s she with him?”

Everleigh goes back to organizing some bracelets by the counter, and I follow her as she walks and talks.

“I have a few theories, but Gemma denies them all.”

“Which are?”

She finally stops and turns, folding her arms over her chest as she studies me. “Why do you care so much? I thought you moved on.”

“I’ll always care about her, even if I’m not in her life, Ev. All I’ve ever wanted is for Gemma to be happy, and if this guy doesn’t make her happy…”

“She tries to be.” She shrugs, and her face falls. “Jerry really likes him and the idea of them getting married.”

“Really? Her dad approves?”

“Oh, totally. He’s over the fucking moon about them finally setting a date. Robert will be able to take care of her financially, and she’ll always have what she needs. Growing up, they didn’t have much, and Jerry knows she won’t have to worry when they start a family. It makes him happy as Pops eatin’ warm apple pie, and Gemma wants nothing more than to make her dad happy.”

“Do you think that’s why she’s marrying him? To appease Jerry?”

Everleigh goes behind the counter. “I’m not sure, but even if it was, Gemma wouldn’t tell me. I’m only speculating from what I see and hear. She’s not super open about their relationship, but then again, Gemma has always been private.” She gives me a look, and I read between the lines. Gemma didn’t share every detail of our relationship, but Everleigh knew enough to threaten me when I left.

“Wow…” I brush a hand through my hair, trying to process everything.

“Yep. Well, as much as I’m enjoying this brotherly chat, I need to get back to work and open the store.”

“Yeah, I gotta run some errands anyway.”

“What kind of errands?”