Page 48 of A Chance for Us
She smiles. “Your thoughts are worth more.”
Only she could make me laugh. “How did you get in here?”
She lifts the key card. “I’m an owner, and that means I have a master card. The girls said you were having a meltdown.”
I shake my head. “More just . . . self-loathing.”
“Yeah, I imagine you would feel that way. I know Grayson already talked to you, so I won’t say the same shit he did. But I think what you’re scared of is that you actually like Maren. You maybe have some sort of vision that she could be that girl for you, the one who would walk down the aisle toward you for real.”
The denial is on the tip of my tongue, but I don’t want to lie to my sister. “But it is all fake.”
“It is, but when a man offers to do outlandish things to help a woman, sometimes he catches feelings along the way.”
“Whatever.”
“Just don’t beat yourself up too much, Ollie,” Stella says while reaching out her hand to help me up. “You’re doing something kind, and kindness is always worth it. Plus, you guys are heading to a private beach house for five days so . . . who knows what’ll happen then.”
My eyes snap up because we’re only supposed to be there for one day. “Did you sayfive?”
She nods. “I convinced her that you both deserved this vacation. You’ve had a hell of a few weeks and some rest and relaxation are what I think you both need.”
Fuck my life and save me from my meddling sister.
Fourteen
MAREN
Deep breaths.
I can do this.
It’s fine. I’m fine. Everything will go just fine, and then, after the honeymoon, we’ll come back and figure out how we announce our separation.
Yeah. All of this is great.
Perfect really.
Not a single thing . . .
“Oh, God,” I say, starting to hyperventilate again.
Devney rubs my back. “Easy. You have a plan. Just stick to it.”
I look up at her, the pillar of strength and unwavering friendship. “Right. Just stick to the plan.”
She smiles, taking both of my arms and shaking me a little. “What’s your reason?”
“My father.”
“That’s right. Remember that. All of this has been to make him happy, so be happy for him.”
A tear falls down my cheek, and she curses before grabbing a tissue. “None of that,” she says as she dabs it away. “This is a happy day, and you’re stunning.”
I nod. “There’s that.”
Kinsley and Amelia come rushing around the corner in their navy-blue dresses that Stella somehow found. I couldn’tnothave a junior bridesmaid and flower girl.
“You look like a princess!” Amelia beams. “I want to have a dress just like yours!”
