Chapter 30
30
HUNTER
I stand before the full-length mirror, scrutinizing my reflection. The simple, sleeveless sundress I’ve chosen for Rowena and Adrian’s engagement party hugs my body, the thin fabric caressing my skin in the warm, summer breeze that drifts through the open window of my hotel room, carrying with it the saltiness of the ocean. I smooth my hands over the modest dress, second-guessing my decision to be understated. Perhaps I should have opted for something more eye-catching, more dramatic. A dress that would make Dylan’s head turn.
No , I chide myself. Today is not about me or Dylan. It’s a celebration of Rowena and Adrian. Even if their engagement is a ruse, I need to focus on being present for my friend, not on the tangled undercurrents of my emotions.
A bitter sting cuts my belly in half at the thought of seeing Dylan with Olivia, their togetherness a stark reminder of what I’ve lost—of what I never even had. Of what could have been, if they hadn’t met a few days before he moved in with me.
I put a lid on the storm brewing in my chest. I can’t change the past, but I can be there for Rowena today.
Grabbing my clutch, I exit my room and make my way through the hotel.
As I step into the garden where the engagement party is being held, I’m enveloped by the festive atmosphere. Out here, the mineral tang of the ocean breeze mixes with the fragrance of blooming flowers. The space is alive with the murmur of conversations and the melodious tinkle of champagne flutes being clinked together in toasts.
Rowena said Adrian had hired a planner for the event, but wow. I wasn’t expecting this. The setting is breathtaking. Rows of pristine white tables are adorned with cascading bouquets, their delicate petals fluttering in the gentle wind. Beyond the garden, the ocean stretches out to the horizon, its turquoise waters sparkling in the sunlight. The sand dunes provide a picturesque backdrop, their golden hues a perfect complement to the clear blue sky.
Despite the beauty surrounding me, I can’t shake the sensation of being out of place. The other guests are impeccably dressed, their attires far more glamorous than my simple sundress. I tug self-consciously at the hem, wishing I had chosen something more sophisticated.
My unease twists into icy dread when I spot Olivia entering the garden, Dylan by her side. She looks every bit as radiant as I feared she would, her sleek pale-blue dress floating behind her like she’s Cinderella at the ball—minus the puffed-up skirt and sleeves. The fabric shimmers in the sunlight, casting a halo effect around her. Her golden hair falls in perfect waves, and her makeup is flawless, accentuating her natural beauty.
In comparison, I blend into the background, plain and unremarkable. Watching them make their way through the crowd, arms linked, is torture. But I can’t look away. I trail their progress across the lawn until they disappear behind the bar.
Desperate for a distraction, I scan the lawn to find Nina and Tristan. Relief washes over me at the sight of their familiar faces, and I hurry toward them, determined to pretend that Dylan and Olivia don’t exist.
“Hunter.” Nina pulls me into a hug. “You’re gorgeous, babe.”
I force a smile, ignoring the voice in my head that whispers the opposite. “Thanks, hon. You look amazing, too.”
Nina beams, her eyes sparkling with joy as she leans into Tristan’s side. He wraps an arm around her waist, pulling her close, and I can’t stop a pang of envy at witnessing their easy affection.
I push the unkind feelings aside, reminding myself that today is about celebrating love, even if it’s not my own. I plaster a smile on my face, determined to enjoy the party and not spoil anything for Rowena.
That becomes easier said than done when Dylan and Olivia reappear in my peripheral. She laughs at something he says, the sound so perfectly melodic, birds might harmonize in response.
They navigate through the crowd, heading straight toward us, and panic rises in my throat. I duck behind Nina as if her petite frame could shield me from this impending interaction, but it’s too late. Dylan spots his sister and smiles, his grin widening as his eyes land on me, hiding behind Nina’s skirt like a child.
I force myself to meet his gaze, even as the surrounding air thickens, amplifying my discomfort.
“Hey.” He tilts his head.
I step out from behind Nina, smoothing my dress and trying to hold myself together. “Hey.”
The fun ease I felt in the car with him a short hour ago now has traveled a galaxy away.
Olivia turns to me, her smile dazzling and her amber eyes kind. “Hunter, it’s wonderful to see you again. I’m sorry for my dramatic exit the other night; I didn’t mean to be rude.”
I nod, mumbling a half-greeting, half-apology in return, unable to match her enthusiasm. Rowena joins us shortly afterward, and Dylan promptly introduces his girlfriend.
Olivia steps forward, her movements graceful and poised. “Congratulations,” she gushes, her eyes sweeping over Rowena. “You look stunning. That dress is divine.”
Rowena beams, accepting the compliment with a polite smile.
Adrian arrives next, looking a bit like an overeager puppy dog as he slides by Rowena’s side. He greets us and introduces himself to Olivia.
I guess Livvie is now officially part of our group. I want to die.
As the small talk continues, I do my best to fade into the background, to become an invisible spectator to their effortless interactions. Rowena catches my eye, her gaze probing, as if to gauge my reaction to seeing Dylan with Olivia.
I avert my eyes, wondering if my friends have picked up on my carefully guarded secret.
Too soon, Adrian whisks Rowena away to greet other guests, leaving me stranded again with Nina, Tristan, Dylan, and Olivia.
I search my surroundings for an escape route. The garden buzzes with energy as servers glide by, offering champagne flutes and canapés to the well-dressed crowd. Getting a little buzzed could be a way out of my current misery. But after last night’s overindulgence, the mere thought of alcohol makes my stomach churn. I concentrate on the food instead, plucking a tiny quiche from a passing tray.
If I keep my mouth full, I won’t have to join in the conversation and interact with the happy couple. I resort to tracking every move they make. How Dylan grabs a glass of champagne for her. The way Olivia’s hand brushes against his arm, a casual touch that screams intimacy. From that innocent gesture, my mind spirals, conjuring images of them together in private moments, their bodies intertwined, skin against skin. The jealousy that courses through me is toxic, a poison that threatens to consume me from the inside out.
I can’t stand it anymore. I have to escape, to put some distance between myself and them.
“Excuse me,” I mumble. “I need to make a quick call.”
It’s a lame pretext, and I don’t wait for a response. I turn on my heel and walk away, not sure where I’m going. Anywhere is better than here.
As the evening progresses, I drift through the party like a ghost, keeping my distance from Dylan and Olivia. But no matter where I go, they are everywhere.
At sunset, the speeches begin, and I welcome the distraction, listening as Adrian talks about how lucky he feels to have Rowena in his life. His voice is steady, filled with a sincerity that surprises me, even though I know the engagement is a sham. Rowena joins Adrian on stage and, seemingly overwhelmed with emotion, she grabs the microphone and simply says, “What he just said.”
The crowd bursts into applause, while I wonder if they’re still faking it. I see the way Rowena looks at Adrian as if a switch has been flipped. Maybe love can sneak up on you like that when you least expect it.
Then the crowd chants for a kiss, and I lean toward the stage, waiting to see what they’ll do. Rowena hesitates, but then she gives Adrian a tiny nod. He leans in and presses his lips to hers, and the cheer that arises around them is deafening.
I watch, frozen, as they kiss again, this time with more urgency, more fire. Something twists inside me—a mix of hope, jealousy, longing, and despair. Even though this isn’t real for them, it looks authentic enough. If that’s fake kissing, I’d take a fake kiss with Dylan any day.
After the speeches, dinner is announced, and the guests gather at the elegantly set tables indoors. I end up seated next to Dylan and Olivia, because of course. When it rains, it pours.
The food is exquisite—a spread of gourmet dishes that would normally have my mouth watering—but tonight, I hardly focus on my plate.
The conversation flows around me. I attempt to engage, but all I want to do is escape someplace where I can breathe again.
By the time dessert is served, I’m emotionally spent, each interaction chipping away at my soul. The sweetness of the cake tastes cruel against the bitterness gnawing inside me.
I try to shake off the heaviness as the band starts to play. Guests drift toward the dance floor, and I debate whether to join them or sneak away. My decision is made for me when Nina appears by my side, linking our arms and pulling me onto the floor.
“Come on, Hunt.” She grins. “Nobody puts Baby in a corner.”
We sway together to the music, laughing and spinning, and for a few brief spins, I forget about everything else. But then Dylan and Olivia join us, and it all comes rushing back.
He catches my eye, and for a second, I see something in his expression—self-consciousness? Regret? But it’s gone as quickly as it came, replaced by his usual serene smile as he twirls Olivia around.
By the time the evening winds down, I’m even more drained. I watch from the sidelines as Olivia rests her head on Dylan’s shoulder, and the weight of everything becomes unbearable.
When the fireworks start, I slip away quietly, finding a secluded spot by the beach to catch the show from a distance. Lights explode above us, and everyone else oohs and ahhs, but I feel numb.
The sky erupts into vibrant reds and golds, the colors offensively happy. I close my eyes, letting the sound of the waves wash over me and imagining a different ending to this night. One where it’s me in Dylan’s arms, me he’s looking at with that smile that makes my heart thud.
But when I open my eyes, I’m still alone, and the fairytale fades away, leaving only the bitter truth in its wake.