Page 13 of My Merry Mistake
She stutters a bit. “I don’t know, be your friend?”
“He’s still looking over here,” Eloise points out.
I peer over, meeting his eyes again, and this time, he quickly looks away.
Poppy puts a hand on my arm. “I want you to be with someone who makes you happy.”
“Well, it’s not Finn,” I say, matter-of-factly. “He’s too immature, and we’re too different. Plus . . .yoga instructor.”
The words have a little sting in them, but I don’t know why. Maybe it’s the reminder that men want women like the yoga instructor. Men do not want women like me.
I have receipts to prove it.
I grab Eloise’s glass and take a sip, then quickly remember that I don’t like champagne and hand it back to her—aware that my sisters are concerning themselves with something I don’t want them to concern themselves with.
“I don’t need a guy in my life, you guys. I’m really, really content with how things are right now. Plus, I don’t have time. The transition to this new job is hard, and work needs all my attention.”
“Oh, right, Dallas said you’re in charge of the Denim and Diamonds fundraiser thing?” Poppy says.
I smile. “I am.”
“Is that part of your job?” Eloise asks. “I thought you had a boring job, and that actually sounds fun.”
“I asked to take it on,” I say. “I like to plan events.”And I like to stay busy.When I’m busy it’s harder to examine what’s missing in my life.
A few other people arrive, and Poppy squeezes my arm. “You good?”
“Yes, Poppy, this is your party—go mingle. Please don’t worry about me.”
She smiles, hugs me, then rushes off. I hate that she feels like she has to “make sure I’m okay” just because I showed up alone. They really should know I’m used to it by now.
If only it got easier.
“My boyfriend is so hot.” I follow Eloise’s gaze, firmly attached to Grayson Hawke, who’s standing in a small circle of hockey players, looking—as expected—very serious.
But then he looks up at her, and the corner of his mouth tugs upward in a smile so subtle most people would miss it.
Another twinge of jealousy.
“I’m going to go see if he wants anything to drink.” She looks at me, and I don’t know what my face is doing, but she says, “You know you deserve to be with someone who adores you, but you’ll never find him if you don’t put yourself out there.”
I frown. “I don’t even know what that means, Eloise.”
“Yeah, you do.” She smiles, then walks off, leaving me standing there.
Alone.
Blech.
I try not to look the way I feel, which is awkward and a little out of place—reminding myself that this is my sister’sengagement party, and I’m one of two maids of honor in her wedding. Ibelonghere.
And yet, I feel like an outsider.
Like I don’t belong.
“Thought you could use this.”
I find Finn standing next to me, but not looking at me. He’s holding out a brown bottle in my direction. I frown. “You know I don’t drink.”
