Chapter 1
ONE
Bristol
Nothing makes you more aware of how single you are than attending a wedding.
When it’s two of your three best friends getting married in a double tie-the-knot affair, and you’re one of the bridesmaids, dateless because your former boyfriend is in prison with no hope of release for the next five years, it might as well be a glaring neon sign above your head.
I’ve had enough of being told, “You should meet my son” and “I know this guy at work who would be perfect for you” to be keenly aware of how close to spinster status I am in this small town.
I’m still trying to have fun despite it.
Because, however I might feel about love, when I stop too long to think about it, Hazel and Dakota deserve it.
Their families and this town deserve to celebrate the forever kind of love they found.
The kind that the rest of us only dream about or read in fairy tales.
Just getting a taste of it secondhand by watching them celebrate today is enough to keep one small ember of hope burning inside me.
Then again that might be the whiskey. I’ve had more than my fair share tonight. I notice how little is left at the bar as Jasper, my last single best friend’s older brother, spins me around the dance floor. He’s been keeping me company tonight, helping to fend off the bridesmaid hunters.
“I need to see about making sure they refill the whiskey. I probably should see if Hazel needs help with her dress. Dakota might need a touch-up on her lipstick too.”
“All you need to do right now is dance. Marlowe’s got it handled for a minute. You should have some fun too, you know?” Jasper gives me a pointed look as he reminds me his sister can manage without me.
Jasper and I used to have a bit of a flirtation in high school.
It never materialized into more than just casual texting and being each other’s plus-one at a couple of school dances.
But on nights like tonight, I wonder if maybe I should have tried for something more with him.
Maybe I wouldn’t be heartbroken, and maybe he wouldn’t be one of Purgatory Falls most notorious heartbreakers.
Because let’s be honest, his helping me tonight isn’t completely selfless; he’s had his own onslaught of mamas who want him to look at the pictures of their daughters on their phones and grandmas bluntly telling him they’ve got a girl in mind for him.
“I’m having plenty of fun.” I counter what I assume is his worry that I’m pouting over my single status when everyone else is celebrating their paired-up future.
“I have an idea for how we could have some more. And escape all the questions in the process.” He grins, the kind that lights up his eyes and makes hearts do somersaults in chests. I wish mine would try to manage even a quick tumble.
Everyone assumed I dumped Chris when his sentence made it clear he wouldn’t be out for years.
But I was ridiculous enough to hang on to the hope that we could make it through them.
Maybe there would be early parole. Maybe letters and photos and the occasional visits would be enough.
I only made it to the second one before he sat me down to tell me he was ending things.
It was too long a time with too many unknowns for either of us to be narrowing down our options when we couldn’t be together.
After all, conjugal visits aren’t a thing in Colorado, and I have options outside the bars he’s locked behind.
He made it all sound very selfless. But I hadn’t missed the way the guard had flashed him a bright smile when she brought him into the room.
Like she knew he was about to be a free man.
At least in one way. Chris was nothing if not pragmatic.
So I left the place single, and I barely told anyone about our breakup.
I didn’t want to lie about the circumstances.
I also didn’t want anyone finding out I’d been dumped by the man I stood by through thick and thin.
I could take being a spinster by Purgatory Falls standards.
What I struggled with was being embarrassed by how many years I wasted on him.
Whether it was that worry about embarrassment or just my disappointment in men in general, I hadn’t been able to conjure so much as a flutter or palpitation out of my heart.
Or anywhere else. Not for lack of trying.
I’d gone to bars. Parties. Hookup apps. I’d searched high and low for anything approximating butterflies. But I felt nothing.
I knew the smile on Jasper’s face well enough to know what he meant.
Did I want to have that kind of fun with him?
Could I? I suppose I won’t know if I don’t try.
Maybe that’s just what I need to do. Try and see if following through beyond the lack of interest might summon anything.
Jasper is as good as anyone to make it happen.
At least if I’m supposed to believe the rumors.
“I think they’d notice if we left the reception,” I lament.
“We don’t have to leave yet. Just need to find a place to sneak off to for a little bit.” He nods to the hallway outside the main ballroom. “There’s a linen closet back there. One of the big ones with all the extra pillows and mattresses for the hotel.”
“I’m guessing I don’t want to ask how you know that.” I lift my brow in admonition that I don’t actually feel.
“Wasn’t me. Was a buddy of mine.”
“Uh-huh.” I press my lips together before he dips me dramatically, and I come back up laughing.
“I’m serious. I wouldn’t do that to you. Fuck, I’ll take you up to my room if you want. Order champagne. Flowers. Whatever you want.” His face turns more serious as he looks at me, and I worry I’ve hurt his feelings.
“I know. We’ve been friends long enough. I didn’t take offense.”
“Maybe too long.”
“What?” My brow furrows as I try to study his face.
“I’m just glad you and Chris are done for good. You deserve better than him, Bristol.”
“Don’t tell me you’re concerned too. Did Dakota put you up to this?”
“Only concerned with you leaving with someone else before you give me a shot. I like you, Bristol.” He sounds so sincere; I almost believe him.
“I was already going to say yes to sneaking off.” I don’t mean to be quite that blunt, but the whiskey dulls my filter.
“Then let’s go.” He grins, spinning me loose from the tight dance we’re in and making his way to the door while holding my hand behind him.
“Bristol! I need you for a second.” Marlowe appears and glances at her brother before her eyes meet mine.
Whether she actually needs me or if she’s just worried about me becoming another casualty of her brother’s is anyone’s guess.
I want to tell her that I know exactly what I’m getting into with him and that I’m more than happy to wake up alone in bed tomorrow morning.
No questions asked. No strings attached.
“I thought you had it handled for a bit?” Jasper looks at Marlowe like she’s just popped his bubble.
“I do, but Hazel wants both of us for a minute. She and Dakota want pictures of us before they serve the cake.”
“But—” Jasper starts, but I cut him off.
“It’ll just be a minute. Get me a piece of cake, and I’ll meet you?” I flash him a smile, wanting him to know Marlowe won’t change my mind.
“All right,” he agrees reluctantly.
The second he’s out of earshot and Marlowe and I are headed for our two best friends, she gives me a sideways glance.
“You know how he is.”
“I know. We’re friends too, you know.”
“I just don’t want our friendship to be collateral damage from his recklessness.”
“Never. Not in a million years. Unless you’re gonna hate me for it?”
“No. If you want to have fun, that’s your business. I definitely don’t want to hear about the details of that one at our next gossip session though.”
“Pinkie swear.” I hold up my pinkie finger, the same one we’ve been exchanging since we were knee-high, and she tangles hers with mine in a show of solidarity.
“There you are!” Hazel looks between us. “I need some more photos of us out here with the lights like this.”
“Your wish is my command.” I curtsy in front of her like she’s a queen, and she laughs before she pulls Marlowe and me, one of us to each side, and marches us arm in arm out to the balcony.