Page 9 of Sweet Little Spies

“He’s being overly cautious,” Kenzie said, sitting down,careful to not wrinkle her dress.

“I don’t know about that,” Tasha hedged. “I think this mightbe much more dangerous than he’s letting on. I know Dad is concerned. Butthere’s no question in my mind he still loves Carys.”

“Just not enough to let me stand beside him.” Carys took along breath. There was something they weren’t considering. “Guys, you want meto wait, but he doesn’t. Tristan made it clear Aidan and I shouldn’t wait forhim anymore. He asked us to go through with it this time. We’re here todaybecause Tristan wants us to be.”

It hurt more than she’d imagined. After she’d read his textfrom an unknown number months and months ago, she’d blocked him and changed hernumber and then blocked him again.

I love you so much, baby. I miss you. My heart isn’twhole without you, and it will kill me to know you’re saying I do to onlyAidan. But it’s not forever.

Then tell me why.

Because I have to protect you.

By staying away from me for years? You don’t want a wife.You want a piece of property. I’ll marry Aidan but don’t text me again.

She had the messages memorized. She’d hoped they would fadein her brain after she’d deleted all of them, but nope. They were engrainedthere. “I know he thinks he still loves me, but it’s not enough. Honestly, Ithink it was always going to happen this way. We were together for so long. Itwas inevitable at least one of them would need to see more of the world.”

“He’s not interested in other women,” Kenzie said.

“Around you he’s not.” Carys took a sip of champagne. Itwould be better once the ceremony was over. It was what she told herself. Shewould get through the ceremony, say I do, and then the party would happen andshe would know it was done and there was no more potential, no more chances hewould change his mind. She would start her life with Aidan and it would beokay. “Of course he doesn’t want to piss off his family, but honestly, this isan excellent way to get out of a relationship he doesn’t want anymore.”

“He’s not trying to get out of the relationship.” Kenzie satback. “But I understand why you would think it’s possible. He’s very secretive.I know a little about what’s happening, but he’s holding out on all of us. Hedoesn’t want us to talk about it with anyone, even his family.”

“Which could mean it’s highly classified, although our groupknows how to keep quiet. Or it’s a front for what he really wants. Hisfreedom.” She’d had to come to the conclusion since he wouldn’t talk to her orAidan. With the exception of those texts and the gifts he’d sent her, there hadbeen no meetings, no phone calls. Aidan had even less.

The way he’d treated Aidan was far worse than what he’d doneto her. He’d cut his best friend out of his life, and she’d been helpless towatch it.

This was what Tristan wanted, and he was going to get it.Then he would know she and Aidan would take care of each other and he couldpursue his own life.

“I’m worried he thinks someone might be after him, and thisis his way of throwing them off,” Tasha offered.

“Then he should have told me. You guys find ways to tell usto be careful without telling us everything.” She’d been around the spy stuffall of her life. It might not always have been CIA operatives, but even beforeher uncle and aunt had gone back in to watch over their daughters, they’d hadtheir secrets. And not once would her uncle have left her father and mother onthe outside if he could help it.

There was a knock on the door, and her mother was suddenlythere. She looked gorgeous in her emerald green gown. “Hey, sweetie. It’salmost time. Are you ready?”

What her mother was truly asking was—were they going throughwith this?

Yes. She would because she was done waiting and hoping. Itwas time to be with the man who’d loved her all of her life. Carys stood andsmoothed out her gown. “I have to get my veil on and then it’s time to get thisparty started.”

Her mom stepped in. “Hey, I wanted you to know Serena andAdam and Jake are here. They came with Brianna, and they’re sitting close tothe front. I didn’t want you to be surprised.”

She reached for her mom’s hand and gave it a squeeze. “Iappreciate them coming and I’m thrilled to have them. Is Serena okay?”

Serena had been so happy the day they’d announced theengagement. She and Carys’s mom and Aidan’s mom, Avery O’Donnell, had been thebest of friends for years, and they’d been so happy to plan their children’swedding. Not a one of them had batted an eyelash. Especially Serena, sinceshe’d raised Tristan in her own throuple. She and Adam and Jake had beenhappily married for decades, and she’d seemed thrilled her son was carrying onthe tradition.

She’d cried when Carys had told her she was marrying Aidanand it was okay if she didn’t want to come.

“Like I said. You are amazing, cousin.” Kenzie stood andplaced her champagne glass on the buffet. “I’m going to go and make sure mysister doesn’t decide to overstuff her bouquet, if you know what I mean.”

“And I’m going to go and ensure Daisy isn’t making out withher groomsman.” Tasha shook her head. “Did I mention my brothers are both upsetthey have to escort their sisters down the aisle? I think they were planning onhitting on all the bridesmaids they weren’t related to. Then they got a list ofthe bridesmaids.”

Carys snorted at the idea of her horny cousins hitting oneveryone. “If they thought I had hot friends, they do not understand the lifeof an intern. All my friends are family.” Including the ones she didn’t shareany blood with. “I’m sure Lucas is right there with them.”

Her youngest brother was a menace.

Grace sighed. “I love my son.”

“But?” Carys grinned her mom’s way as her cousins ran off toget everything ready.

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