Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 97466 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97466 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 487(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
“Yeah, no, I get that, and I’m glad for you. I really am.” I swallowed hard, my throat tight at thinking about love and holding out for perfection and wishing once again that I could discuss all of this with Oscar because he always helped me process things. “I wish you’d told me though. I could have been there. I… I would have liked to walk you down the aisle, at least. Or take pictures—”
I’d envisioned Abby’s wedding many times, and in every single one of those visions, I’d been there. That had never been in doubt.
“I know.” Now, Abby grabbed my hands, her brown eyes gentle. “I know, Hugh. But this particular day was just for us. For me and Dex. There was no aisle. And the whole point was to stop worrying about what it looked like or what anyone else wanted and just do it.”
I twisted my tongue in my mouth to keep from venting about feeling disappointed and left out. It didn’t matter when she was clearly at peace with her own decision. And her happiness was all I’d ever wanted, in the end.
“Besides,” Abby teased, squeezing my hands. “I didn’t need you immortalizing my messy bun and sneakers. You’ve taken a million important pictures of me and Dex that I already treasure—like the one of me kissing him upside down when he was painting our bedroom a year ago, remember that? Those are the shots that put the ‘Real Life’ in the Real Life HEA, you know?”
“Yeah.” I nodded. “I remember.”
“And this way, you can save all of your big ideas for your own wedding, and I can live vicariously through you when your time comes.”
Hopefully, my smile wasn’t as pathetic as it felt.
“We’re still going to have a reception of sorts too,” she said brightly. “A casual thing, but a chance to celebrate with all the people we love. The sports bar Dex’s team goes to after games has a big event room. We’re thinking nachos and beer, something like that. Just friends and fun, no pressure. And this time, I demand that my big brother be there. I’ll even work it around your schedule, so let me know when you’re free in the next couple months.”
Disappointed as I was, I couldn’t help but grin. “Are you kidding? I’ve been saving up a million quasi-embarrassing Dex and Abby stories for your wedding reception, and this is my chance. I’ll be there,” I vowed. “Promise.”
But several weeks later, when the Nacho Reception was on the horizon and I discovered my ex would be there with his famous new boyfriend, my resolve was sorely tested.
Rafa and I were in pajamas on the sofa in our apartment, gearing up for a binge-watch of Drag Race on Halloween. Thankfully, our apartment building didn’t participate in any kind of trick-or-treating, so we were guaranteed a quiet night in. It was a Tuesday, which meant neither one of us had to work, and we’d ordered in wings and wine… which was great because I was going to require a lot of wine to deal with what Abby had texted to tell me earlier that day.
“Ben Garrison?” Rafa asked again like he couldn’t believe it. “Your ex is dating the drummer from Toxic Echo?”
I felt my nostrils stretch wide. “He’s just a guy.”
“Just a guy who’s won a million Grammys. Just a guy who’s modeled pantsless for Calvin Klein. Just a guy who—”
“I get it,” I gritted out before taking a healthy swig of my drink.
“You’re not going to that thing without a hot date,” Rafa said as if this wasn’t patently obvious.
“You’re my hot date,” I snapped. “And if you bail on me after I confirmed you were free ten times before telling Abby which dates I was available and that I’d be bringing a plus-one, I will murder you in your sleep.”
Rafa shifted and plucked a hot wing off my plate. “I’m coming. Obviously. But I think you need to show up with someone hot who isn’t just your roommate. Jared knows me. Hates me but knows me.”
“He doesn’t hate you,” I said, knowing it was a complete lie.
“Mpfh. What about Roman Burke? Surely he could hook you up after he was so grateful for the wedding photo job you did for him and his guy?”
I nudged him away from stealing another wing. “You think taking a famous married man as my date is better than my roommate? Interesting strategy.”
“No, no. I just mean surely he has hot, famous friends he could hook you up with. You know, as a favor.”
I shook my head and swallowed another healthy glug of wine. “Nah. I’m happy to go with you. I don’t need anyone to think I have a new boyfriend. I just don’t want to be stuck standing awkwardly on my own while Dex and Jared’s entire family looks at me with sad puppy eyes.”