Chapter 3
chapter three
Mia
Iread the front of the cream linen invitation out loud again and try not to roll my eyes. I’m still mad about the note that Rex wrote.
“Who invites someone to a wedding with a two-week celebration two weeks before it’s meant to happen?” I shout out to Juniper, who is in the kitchen, making us an easy chicken fried rice dish for dinner before we go out for the night. “That’s absolutely ridiculous.”
I drop the invitation on the bed and head out to our cozy little kitchen.
I stop next to the small pinewood table my grandma Lucille gave us when we moved in, along with four uncomfortable chairs.
They are the reason we usually sit on our couch to eat instead of at the table, but the one time I complained to my parents, they told me that was why God had invented cushions.
When I told them the cushions didn’t help, they told me to be grateful and not to upset my grandma with complaints, and so that was that.
Thankfully, Juniper’s parents allowed us to choose the couch we wanted, so that is deep and comfortable.
“Have some cucumbers, Mia.” Juniper looks up from cutting onions. “It’s still going to be about twenty minutes.” She frowns. “Are you hangry? Or still upset over Rex?”
“I am neither hangry nor upset. I am still pissed about the rude note on my invitation.” I wave it in the air in front of her face.
“The invite sounded perfectly polite, but I agree his note was rude as hell. But at least you and Luke have that plan.”
“The note was tacky and rude.”
“The note was rude, but that doesn’t surprise me. Rex has never exactly been Mr. Nice Guy.” She makes a face like she wants to gag.
I’ve always known that neither she nor Josie liked Rex.
But I also knew his mean persona was a front.
The true Rex was the guy in the bear suit who carried me home and to my bed like I was a damsel in distress and whispered in my ear.
I was so drunk that night, and I knew that most other boys would have taken advantage of me.
“I know he has that jackass front, but he’s not all bad.
” I sigh because I don’t really want to defend him, given the note on the invitation.
“I don’t want to partake in two weeks’ worth of wedding festivities, even if Luke is there as my pretend boyfriend, but I know I’m going to have to.
Grandma Lucille and his nana, Bitsy, are best friends.
They will expect me and Rafe to be there.
” I mention my older brother, who also still lives in town.
However, because he runs the local vet clinic, I’m sure he will find plenty of excuses to not have to spend much time partaking in all the fun.
“How is Rafe?” Juniper asks casually as she minces some garlic cloves. “Haven’t seen him in a while.”
“He’s busy with Paws and Claws and training Cherie. Oh yeah, I saw her at Salty Sirens this morning, and she said to remind you that Lani needs to come in for her rabies shot soon.”
“Oh yeah, I’ll make an appointment.” She looks up at me. “Want to open a bottle of red wine and grab three glasses?”
“No, what I’d like to do is tell Rex off.” I groan and cover my face as I think about everyone staring at me while he’s all lovey-dovey.
The worst part is the fact that I know half the town knows about my stupid teenage crush.
I literally performed a one-woman play in the town talent show one year, talking about two fated soulmates who lived on an island off the coast of Florida, called Ria and Mex.
I still cringe when I think about it. That wasn’t my finest work, but I was fifteen, with my head in the clouds and under the mistaken belief that Rex felt the same way for me as I did for him.
I no longer had feelings for him, but the embarrassment is still as bad as if I did. His note hurt me. Did he really think I was sitting around, pining for him, unable to get a man? Would he believe that Luke and I were dating?
“I just hope no one figures out that Luke and I are lying and I look like a loser.”
“You’re not a loser. Many of us will be there as singles.
” She shrugs like it’s not a big deal, like we didn’t spend our teenage years detailing exactly what we wanted in a future partner and how we both expected to be in some sort of relationship by now.
“Though I guess I didn’t get invited to the two-week long festivities.
” She laughs. “I guess that’s what you get for your grandma being one of the Busy Bees.
” The Busy Bees are the nickname we gave to the group that refers to themselves as the Bees, in town, on account of how much time they spend discussing other peoples business.
“That’s what I get for my grandma being best friends with Bitsy Haverbrook.”
I think of my grandma Lucille and her best friend, Luke and Rex’s grandma.
They have been best friends since they were young girls and are now members of a small group of retirees who loved to gossip, crochet, and read books.
Juniper and I call them the busy Bees because they always seem to be everywhere.
“Though I suppose that means Wendy, Josie, Summer, and Silvie will all be at the events as well, seeing as Gale, January, and Birdy are all part of the Bees as well.” I mention the other members of our friend group.
Josie was a good friend from school, Wendy was her older sister, Summer had gone to school with us as well, but then had left Coconut Beach and Silvie was her good friend, who’d just moved to the island recently.
“Yep, and we’re all single, so it won’t just be you.” Juniper pauses with her knife up in the air, and her expression changes to one of contemplation. “I sure hope that Silvie is okay though, what with her just running away from her own wedding.”
“True. I didn’t even think about that.” Guilt courses through me as I think about our new friend, who came to Coconut Beach as a runaway bride. “Hopefully, she’s not regretting her decision.”
“Her ex sounded awful, so I doubt it. We shall all be the beautiful and happy singles at the wedding.” She starts chopping again.
“Trust me, no one is even thinking about our status. Plus, didn’t she say she was going to try and work some deal out with Cal?
” Cal was the manager at our favorite local bar, Cocktails & Chaos.
He was tall, dark, and handsome and many a woman had fallen under his spell.
Asides from me, of course. He was cute, but totally not my type.
“Yeah, that’s true.”
“Do you think Rex was trying to be funny?”
“Maybe, but if that was meant to be a joke, it was a fail.” I’m about to start bitching and moaning again, but I can tell from the look on Juniper’s face that she doesn’t want to talk about this for much longer.
“I’m excited for tonight though. I hope Cal has some discount cocktails tonight.
I want to party my ass off and not worry about spending all the money on my credit card.
” I giggle and grab some cucumber sticks and take a bite. “This is not hitting the spot.”
“Make yourself busy. It’ll be a while.”
I step into the living room and look around.
A feeling of contentment fills me. I love our little apartment.
It’s not fancy, nor is it large, but we’ve decorated it to the best of our ability with the meager bank account funds that we have.
There’s a large white sectional couch that occupies most of the floor space in the open-plan living area.
The floors are a light pine wood, and we have one large colorful Moroccan wool rug in the center of the room.
The walls are adorned with photos of us throughout the years, along with our families, and different paintings and photos we’ve taken of the island.
A candle burns on the circular table, and a lemony scent fills the air.
My phone vibrates just as I’m about to take a seat on the couch.
“It’s Luke. I’ll be right back.” I hold up my phone and hurry into my bedroom. “Lucas Haverbrook, are we crazy?”
“Yes.” There’s silence on the line for a few moments, and then he continues, “I’m going to video-call you.”
He clicks off, and then my screen lights up with a new call. I answer immediately, looking up into the phone. His blue eyes look tired and amused as he gazes at me. I watch as he holds up the invitation in his hand. It is exactly the same invitation that I received.
“Yep. I’m still mad,” I mumble, still annoyed, though I’m trying to process why I’m so upset. Is my hurt radiating from jealousy or bitterness or loneliness? I’m still not one hundred percent sure.
“Not as mad as me, I’m sure,” Luke says dryly and flips the invitation around.
He’s sitting in the living room of his apartment, which I’ve only ever seen on video, and he’s dressed in a nice button-up shirt. Which is unusual for him in the evenings. He normally goes to the gym after work, so he’s normally in a shirt and sweatpants when we talk.
“Wait, what did your note say? You never told me.”
“Oh, listen to this.” He clears his throat.
“Hey, bro. You’re invited to the wedding of the year.
Yeah, baby, your big bro is getting married.
Can’t wait to see you at the festivities.
Pity you’re a workhorse and have no one to bring, but, hey, hope you’re still happy for me.
The best Haverbrook son.” He stops and rolls his eyes.
“Holy smokes, Batman,” I growl. “Your brother is rude as hell. I just don’t know why he would do that.”
“Yeah, he’s an ass. I don’t care about my note, but yours was intentionally hurtful … given your history.” Luke frowns, and his boyish, handsome face contorts into one of anger.
One of the nicest qualities that Luke possesses is that he hates it when anyone hurts me. He’s always been protective over me and my feelings, which oftentimes feels annoying, but I’ve always appreciated how he’s been there for me.
“Do you want me to say something to him?”