Page 174 of The Friend Situation

“Actually, yes,” Weston says. “We’re getting married.”

He shoots me a wink.

“Is Brody with you?” she asks.

“You know Brody?” I try to piece it all together, but nothing makes sense.

“Yes, he sometimes works for my dad. He stayed here during the holidays and took residence in Jake’s little cabin behind his house. You know, the one that’s used for storage for old holiday decorations.”

Jake is my cousin who’s six years older than me.

“Wait, Brody stayed here during tree season?” I turn to Weston, not sure how I didn’t know this.

“He was on a special assignment because neither of us needed him. I had no idea where he was, and he never mentioned it,” Weston confesses.

He interlocks his pinkie with mine. It’s a small gesture, but it instantly calms me when my heart races a little too fast. Weston notices my tiny anxieties and always does this.

When our eyes meet, I see his are filled with compassion and admiration. I wonder if he has always looked at me this way.

Yes. The word echoes in my mind as the blindfold shrouding our relationship falls away.

Mawmaw clears her throat, breaking the silence that streams between us.

“Emma married Hudson last week. She’s also last year’s Cookie Queen,” Mawmaw announces. “Come on, sit.”

“Cookie Queen? What an accomplishment,” I say, intrigued. “It’s a cookie contest held in town every year. Super competitive,” I explain to Weston, filling him in on the details.

“It’s a very special town tradition. I never could’ve done it without Hudson though. I needed my Cookie King.”

The four of us pull wooden chairs from under the kitchen table, following Mawmaw’s lead.

“Sorry, you married Hudson?” I ask, just realizing what she said.

A stack of newspapers lies haphazardly in the middle of the table. When I see the familiar font of theMerryville Gazette, it brings a smile to my face.

Then I catch sight of the headline about the wedding—“Hudson Jolly Marries Emma Manchester.” It was featured on the front of last Sunday’s paper. I open it, my eyes scanning the words that detail how happy they are together.

“Wow. Congratulations! I didn’t even realize he was datinganyone,” I say, struggling to recall the last time I saw him genuinely smile. She must be sunshine in human form.

“Emma’s also best friends with Billie and Harper,” Weston explains.

“I was at Billie’s Halloween party. I saw you two chatting,” Emma admits.

“Really?” I ask, trying to recall her from that night. But it’s a blur. I attended with Lexi. Weston and I acted more like acquaintances than best friends. “Oh, wait. Are you the Emma that Asher was in love with?”

Emma chuckles. “Yeah, sorta. I dated him for a month, but there was no spark. I’m convinced Billie and him would be perfect together. But you know how stubborn those Calloways are,” she says, glancing at Weston.

“It’s a lost cause with those two. Anyway, congratulations. Had I known you got married, I’d have sent a gift and congratulations,” Weston says. “My sister didn’t mention it.”

“It was a quick turnaround, and she’s been preoccupied with her business and being in yours.” Emma shrugs nonchalantly.

“This happened fast,” I say, still processing the fact that my cousin Hudson is married.

“As soon as Hudson’s divorce was finalized, we thought,Why not? What do we have to lose?I was never letting him go. And I knew he wouldn’t let me go either. We were like two galaxies colliding. I realized I couldn’t imagine my life without him,” Emma explains, blowing on her hot coffee. Steam rises from the cup like delicate tendrils. “You two know what I mean. Clearly.”

I glance at Weston. Is it really like that with us?

“Emma Manchester,” I whisper, finally realizingwhoshe is.

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