Page 84 of Love to Hate You

“Now, what did everyone think was so important that it required a family meeting without me?” Summer asked.

All eyes went to Autumn, who plastered a big, bright smile on her face. “Randy and I have been thinking about how no one would be there if we eloped, so we’ve decided to have a wedding.”

Summer walked over to her sister and gave her a big hug, lifting her off her feet. “That’s the best news! What changed your mind?”

Autumn pressed her forehead to Summer’s. “You guys did. I can’t imagine a wedding without you as my maid of honor.”

“Or you as my best man,” Randy said to Wes, who had to clear his throat before responding.

“I’d be honored.”

Summer’s eyes began to tingle with glee. Her sister was becoming her sister again, putting the family first, respecting their bond as twins, and thinking past her impulsive nature. And Randy and Wes were starting to connect like brothers were supposed to.

“Autumn,” her dad prodded.

“Right.” Autumn snapped her fingers. “We’ve decided to keep it small, you know, just a few friends and family. Private and intimate. VIP only, if you know what I mean. And we’ve already found the perfect place.”

“Where?”

Autumn spread her arms like Julie Andrews inTheSound of Musicand spun around the kitchen. “Right here.”

A lump lodged itself in Summer’s throat as the betrayal of it all pounded in her head, causing her eyes to throb. “Like, in Mystic?”

“No, silly. We want the reception here, at the beach house. Of course the wedding would take place at the Church by the Sea. Isn’t that a great idea?”

Summer had to force the sound past the growing lump to form actual words. And even then, they sounded strained. “Of course it is. It’s my idea.”

“Well, kind of. I mean, I’ll have a different color scheme and the vibe will be more luxe, but how great would it be if we both shared the same wedding venue? We share everything else,” Autumn added when Summer just stood there with her mouth gaping open. “What’s one more thing?”

“How can you even ask me that? I mean what am I supposed to say? ‘Oh, you know the wedding I’ve been planning since I was eleven, the one that I have a hundred-page scrapbook on, well, my sister is stealing it.’”

“I’m not stealing it! I’m just using it as inspiration. Imitation is really a form of flattery. You should feel flattered.”

“Well, I don’t.” Summer began walking out of the kitchen. “I don’t have time for this. I’m already late getting on the road. I need to pack the car, get Buttercup, and head out.”

“Don’t leave mad, Summs,” Autumn said with so much sugar in her voice it turned Summer’s stomach.

“I’m not mad.” She was crushed. “I’m just late for work.”

Wes considered beating some sense into his brother, but it was clear Autumn was the showrunner in the relationship. Randy was just along for the ride. Plus, he wanted to get to Summer as soon as possible to see if there was anything he could do to make the situation better. Other than buying the church and not letting his brother get married there.

He was still considering that when he walked out the kitchen door and saw Summer crouched down on the balls of her feet, her head in her hands. Her shoulders were slumped over and shaking slightly with emotion.

In all of the times they’d gone head to head, he’d never seen her cry. In fact, he didn’t know what to do with tears. But seeing them fall from her beautiful brown eyes was apparently his kryptonite.

He walked straight toward her, and instead of the empty platitudes he’d usually use on a woman in distress he went for actions over words.

He took Summer’s hands and lifted her into his arms. She clung to him as if she would never let go and he allowed himself to imagine for just a moment what it would be like if she didn’t. Strangely, it didn’t rouse the terror and the cornered feeling he’d imagined it would.

It felt right.

“Do you want to talk about it?” Wes asked, pressing his lips into her hair.

“Nope.”

“That’s not how this works now. So we can have a conversation or you can just listen.”

She swallowed.

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