Page 31 of Playbook
“Oh, I meant to ask. Do you think you can help me pick out invitations? There is so little time and I want it all to be amazing.”
“I will help however you need.”
My little sister beams. I’ve been waiting for an opportunity to talk to her about everything. Namely, how quickly this is happening. I hate to be the one to ruin this happy moment, but I’ll hate myself if I don’t say something.
“You know, it might be easier to get it all together if you wait until next summer.”
She glances over her shoulder at me, dress still held up in front of her. It’s not anger or frustration in her gaze, but disappointment.
I stand and move toward her. “What’s the rush?”
“I love him. So much it physically hurts sometimes.”
I snort a laugh, but she pushes on. “He’s the absolute love of my life. I can’t wait a year to marry him. I want to be his wife now. I’m ready, Lo Lo.”
“You’re sure?” A weird sensation swirls in my stomach. My little sister is getting married. It feels like yesterday she was taggingalong behind me and letting me watch out for her, and now she’s leaping ahead of me to this place where I haven’t the first clue how to protect her or even if I need to.
“Yes.” Her smile stretches wider. “Besides, Mom and Dad already had this same talk with me. It might seem quick to you guys, but I’ve known he was the one since our first date. So can you please just be excited for me?”
The one? Their first date? Love of her life?I’m speechless, which she takes as me still not being sold.
“Please, Lo?”
“Of course.” I take her hand and squeeze it. “I’m always on your side, you know that.”
Her smile widens.
“Just promise me one thing.”
“What?”
“If at any point you decide that you want to back out, you’ll tell me.”
Her laughter is light and airy, like she can’t fathom the idea. She gives my hand another squeeze and then drops it. “I promise. Now promisemesomething.”
She sets the wedding dress down carefully in the open trunk.
“What?” Now I’m nervous with the way she’s looking at me.
“Promise not to kill Chris between now and the ceremony.”
Whatever I might have expected her to say, that wasn’t it. I can’t help it. I laugh.
“I’m serious,” she says, fighting a smile. “I know how awful he was to you, and I will always hate him a little for it, but he’s Ben’s brother. It’s inevitable that you two are going to see each other, and I want to make sure you’re going to be okay. I need you, but he’s family now too.”
My lip curls all on its own. I’d nearly blocked out that pesky detail. Chris family. Ugh. No thank you.
“I promise not to kill him before the ceremony.” I make no promises about after.
“Thank you.” She lunges forward and hugs me tightly, then springs back just as quickly. “I told Ben it would all be fine. You’ve both moved on. He’s dating someone,you’redating someone.”
The way she says the last part like she’s in on some secret makes me pause. And then I remember. Oh shit.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” she asks, then smiles. “I had to find out from Ben. Chris told him. Since when do you tell Chris more than me?”
“I don’t…” My words trail off. For a moment I consider telling her the truth, but she’s looking at me so hopefully. And I don’t want my lie to get back to Chris.
“It’s new.” I look away from her and try to play it off. I’m going to have to break up with my pretend boyfriend before Mom demands I bring him around for dinner.
