Page 122 of Marry Lies
And then I fell in love with himdespitehim being who he was.
I get ready for my day slowly, throwing on a yellow blouse with balloon sleeves. Then I step into my favorite pair of dark purple trousers. They are wide-legged and made up of a velvet material. After diffusing my hair, I head downstairs only to see Liam sitting at the kitchen table with Chase.
“Stella,” Chase says, standing. He walks over and pulls me into a tight hug. “How are you?” he asks, pulling away.
I shrug. “I’ve been better. How’s Miles?”
“He’s miserable.”
Good,I think, but of course I feel bad for thinking that.
“I wanted to invite you to our wedding reception tomorrow,” he says with a smirk.
My brows shoot up. “Oh?”
“Juliet wanted to throw a little party at the castle,” he adds, sounding resigned. “You know, to celebrate our one-month anniversary.”
I catch the double entendre immediately.Ouras in his and Juliet’s, as well as my anniversary with Miles.
“Sure,” I tell him, looking at Liam. “Are you going?”
He laughs. “Chase would murder me if I didn’t go,” he answers, taking his hand and running it through Chase’s perfectly coiffed hair.
Chase grunts and takes a step back. “Hey man. Fuck right off with that,” he says, laughing.
Liam just gives him an affectionate smile. “Sorry, can’t help it. You’ll always be my annoying little brother.”
“I’m not the only one,” Chase grumbles.
“Yeah, but you’re the easiest one to rile up.”
I smile as I observe the brothers, suddenly feeling homesick for one brother in particular. I walk around Chase to start preparing my tea when I notice both of them go silent. I finish filling the kettle with fresh water and pop it on. Then, I turn around, crossing my arms.
“Go on. Say it,” I tell both with a serious expression.
Chase looks at Liam quickly before rubbing the back of his neck. “He’s been sleeping at the office, Stella. The poor guy is practically limping because he’s curled up on his tiny, leather loveseat all night.”
I hollow my cheeks and look away, chest aching. “He has a perfectly acceptable bed at the castle,” I answer weakly. “It’s not my problem if he’s being stubborn.”
“He refuses to sleep there without you,” Chase adds.
The kettle whistles, so I distract myself with making a perfect cuppa. Once it’s done steeping, I turn back around to face the two of them.
“What do you think about everything?” I ask Chase.
Now he looks even more uncomfortable. “I mean, I completely fucked up with Juliet a few months ago. I know the feeling of being willing to do anything to win the love of your life back.”
The love of your life.
“Am I the love of his life? I haven’t heard from him since I left,” I admit, feeling silly.
“He’s giving you space,” Liam interjects. “Listen, we’re both on your side. I hope you understand that. I know Miles does, and it’s why he’s feeling so shitty, because he knows he fucked up. But he is sorry.”
“Truly,” Chase says, smirking. “Especially because he’s hobbling around all prideful and grumpy and snapping at anyone and everyone. It’s pitiful.”
I snort at the image of that. Something inside of me melts just a tiny bit.
“You can tell him I’ll be at your wedding reception tomorrow,” I say carefully. “We can talk then.”
