Chapter 3
You are cordially invited to celebrate the marriage of Hattie Hayes and Finch Whitmore.
The words glare up at me from the cream cardstock, mocking me with every perfectly embossed letter.
Barely engaged and already sprinting down the aisle. If betrayal had a scent, it would smell like roses and gold ink.
The anger I felt opening that envelope yesterday was powerful. I had almost tossed it straight into the trash, until the handwritten letter from my sister slipped out.
Harlow,
I know how awkward this must be for you, given the circumstances, and I know that’s my fault.
I wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t come, but I really hope you do.
I can’t imagine not having you at the biggest day of my life.
If things were different, I would have you planning out every moment of this with me, but I won’t do that to you.
I am going to ask you to come, though, because despite all that has happened between us, you’re still my sister, and that will never change.
I love you, Harlow, and I miss you deeply.
I would love nothing more than for us to put the past behind us and start fresh. Please think about it.
All my love,
Hattie
By the time I finished reading, the fire of my anger had started to fizzle, leaving something heavier in its wake, a hollow ache I’ve spent years trying to ignore. Suddenly, I didn’t know what to do or how to feel.
That’s how I ended up here this morning, standing in Ellie’s flower shop with the letter spread across the counter, my three best friends leaning in like it’s evidence in a murder trial.
“She is unbelievable,” Ellie spits, her hand curving over her rounded bump as if shielding her unborn baby from the force of her anger. “She has no right to ask this of you. Not after everything she’s done.”
Penny and Hollis nod their agreement, their faces tight with solidarity.
Ellie and Penny have known me since childhood; they’ve been front-row witnesses to every Hayes family fallout.
Hollis moved here last year, married our mutual friend Mike, and somehow fit into our circle like she’d always been there.
Different histories, same loyalty. I trust them all with my ugly truths, and don’t know what I would do without them.
“You’re right,” I admit, my voice quiet. “I know you are. So why do I feel guilty for even thinking about not going?”
“Because you’re a better person than she is,” Penny offers gently.
I appreciate the sentiment, but deep down, I know it’s not that simple.
The truth is, despite everything, a part of me misses my sister too. The one who used to share a bedroom with me and whisper secrets past midnight. Before she became obsessed with being the golden child and traded me for our parents’ approval.
Every year, I lost her a little more, until Thanksgiving, when I walked into the kitchen and found her kissing Finch. That betrayal was the final nail in the coffin. Not because I loved him; I never did. He was new, safe, a family friend my parents approved of.
Hattie sees it differently. Claims she liked him first and that I was the one who betrayed her by going out with him, but how was I supposed to know that? She never said anything.
Either way, the damage was done. I was done. That day, I packed my bags and moved back to the one place I have always called home…Passion Falls.
“You have nothing to feel guilty about,” Ellie says, bringing me back to the present. “You don’t owe her anything, least of all this.”
“I know. It’s just…” Pausing, I search for the right words. “She’s still my sister, and even though she’s been a shitty one, part of me can’t help but hope she’s changed. That maybe things could be different between us.”
“Is that what you want?” Hollis asks. “For things to be different?”
My gaze drops to the letter again, thumb brushing over the words my sister wrote.
“I don’t know,” I admit, sighing. “I’m not sure I’ll ever fully trust her again, but I’m tired of carrying around all this anger, of feeling the hurt and betrayal every time I think about her.
So, if there’s even a small chance that things could be better between us… then yeah, I think I do want that.”
Silence falls between us, all three of them watching me with soft, understanding eyes.
“Then I think you should go,” Penny says. “Not for her, but for you. See if she really means what that letter says. If there’s a chance to make things better, take it. And if not…at least you’ll know, and you can finally close that chapter.”
Ellie nods. “I think that’s a great idea.”
“Same.” Hollis smiles, sealing the verdict.
Deep down, I think it’s the choice I’d already made, but hearing them echo it makes it easier.
“Okay, that’s decided then.” I breathe, feeling more settled…until the next thought hits me. “There’s just one more problem.”
Penny’s head tilts. “What’s that?”
“The envelope came with a plus one…” I confess, hesitating. “And it has Linc’s name on it.”
They know all about the wedding fiasco, how I roped him into pretending to be my boyfriend. They thought it was hilarious, but they don’t realize the wreckage it left behind, the feelings I’m still struggling to process. Like the why behind it all…
If I’m being honest, I fully expected Linc to throw me to the wolves that night. Why wouldn’t he? He’s been waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike, but he didn’t. He played the part, and played it flawlessly, despite the fact I left him on his own. He even danced with Jaime’s grandma.
Then, once the night was over, he left. Didn’t say goodbye. Didn’t throw it in my face or give me shit, and somehow, that just made it worse. It stirred feelings I shouldn’t have. Feelings I almost fell for once…until I was slapped back to reality.
My friends share a look, their smiles impossible to miss.
“This isn’t funny,” I blurt, exasperated. “What am I going to do?”
Penny shrugs. “Just tell them you two broke up and bring someone else.”
I thought about that, but who would I even bring? Passion Falls isn’t exactly crawling with eligible bachelors.”
I would know. I haven’t been on a date in over a year.
Hollis cuts in, her tone light. “I’d lend you Mike, but we’ll be out of town that weekend.”
I laugh, appreciating her willingness to pimp out her husband.
“You could always just ask Linc to go with you,” Ellie suggests, wearing that gleam of mischief I know all too well.
“Absolutely not.”
An entire weekend at a vineyard with Linc Masters would only end in disaster—and probably his funeral.
“Besides, he wouldn’t agree to it anyway,” I mumble.
“Sure, he would,” Penny counters. “He played along the first time, didn’t he?”
I wave away her logic. “That was different. He was caught off guard and didn’t have time to say no. This time he would, and no doubt he’d get immense joy out of it.”
Just the thought of putting myself in that position is enough to make my stomach revolt. I’d be like Goldilocks without an escape plan—marching up the path and knocking on the bears’ front door, fully aware they’re starving and I’m the main course.
I frown at the metaphor…great. The bastard has me playing right into the nickname now.
Ellie leans across the counter, careful with the curve of her belly.
“The way I see it, you’ve got two options.
You can walk into that wedding solo, head held high like the strong, gorgeous woman you are…
or you can ask Linc to fake it one more time.
Put up with him for the weekend and get through it. Which one can you live with more?”
I run through both options.
Walking into that wedding alone would be like stepping straight into a lion’s den without a weapon—an open invitation for the whispers I’ve spent years outrunning.
Looks of pity would be passed around like party favors, confirming every quiet suspicion that I can’t keep a man…
or worse, that I’m still pining for Finch.
The alternative isn’t much prettier…
Linc and I are gasoline and fire—volatile and combustible, always one spark away from burning the whole world down.
But I can’t ignore the way he handled it last time, how effortlessly he stepped into the role.
As painful as it is to admit, he’s probably the only man alive who could pull this off well enough to convince them all.
My gaze flicks between my friends, their amused looks making it clear they already know my decision.
I drop my head onto the counter with a groan, defeat heavy. “I can’t believe I’m actually going to do this.”