Page 12 of The Best I Never Had

“It was your junior year. We didn’t talk as much because I wanted you to focus on school.”

She looks hurt, and I hate myself a little more. “It was serious enough for you to meet his family, but not for him to meet me?”

I pinch my lips to avoid saying she’d be the first person I’d introduce to a real boyfriend. “There was a family wedding.”

“Why have you never mentioned him? Did he…” she trails off, her shoulders steeling as her eyes go hard. “Did he hurt you?”

A guffaw explodes out of me. “God, no. You’ve met Owen. Do you think that man would ever hurt anyone?”

Her lip twitches, but she doesn’t let it go. “I didn’t mean physically. Did he break your heart?”

My smile falls. We didn’t break each other’s hearts, but his family thinks we did, and I need to give her an answer that doesn’t contradict what Harrison is going to tell her tonight.

I hate lying so much.

“I think we both changed each other in a lot of ways,” I say hesitantly, “but we’re okay. We just talked, and we both agree there’s no need for drama.”

Technically, that part isn’t even a lie. Neither of us wants the drama of our deception coming out and ruining the wedding. If she thinks I mean drama between us, that’s on her.

She releases a sigh, all the tension flowing from her body as she plants her hands on the countertop. “What’s your plan?”

“Plan?” I squeak out. I’ve never been much of a planner.

“You two probably don’t want to see each other much, right? It has to be hard, even if you’re fine now.”

“I don’t know if we need a plan—”

“I’ll move things around,” she says, nodding her head once like she’s leading a board meeting and just got everyone’s approval.

“I mean, we’re the maid of honor and best man. I don’t know how—”

She takes my hand, squeezing tight as fierce determination takes over her face. “There’s plenty to do where you won’t have to overlap. You’re my sister. I’m not making you do something you aren’t comfortable with.”

There’s a small, concerning pinch behind my breastbone, and I recognize it for the disappointment it is. I had fun with Owen that weekend, and part of me was excited for another chance to be around him.

Plus, I’ve seen Addy’s schedule. There are a dozen events, and at least some of those will include both me and Owen. I don’t want her spending the week stressed about keeping us apart.

“Please don’t worry about this. We broke up years ago. Both of us are fine. I just want to focus on the wedding and all the amazing things you’ve put together.”

Addy opens her mouth like she’s about to argue, but the bathroom door creaks open again. Owen’s mother, Diana, slips in with a dress in one hand and a toiletries bag in the other. I fumble for the silk dress, pulling the wet, uncomfortable fabric over my hips, more to hide my embarrassingly ratty Spanx than to cover myself.

“Quite an eventful evening,” Diana says with a soft smile, holding the dress out to me.

“Oh, thank you, but I’m fine,” I say.

Diana clucks. “I hate to tell you this, but that dress is ruined.”

I glance over my shoulder at my ass, which is a darker blue now, almost purple, with the combination of the light blue icing, red fabric, and terrible attempts to rinse the icing away. “It’s not my best look, but I’ll be fine.”

“Is she always this stubborn?” she asks Addy, the lightest Southern drawl snaking through her voice.

Addy snorts, then clears her throat. “Yes.”

When I don’t respond, Diana grabs my hand, placing the dress directly into it. It is a lovely light blue, ironically almost the exact color of the cake I sank my ass into.

“Do you have dresses lying around?” I ask.

She smiles and gestures for me to dress while she spins to face the wall, giving me the illusion of privacy even though she’s already seen everything I have going on.