Maybe.
I’m still staring at myself in the mirror when the bathroom door opens and in walks…
Oh shit.
Evelyn.
Thirty-Four
Close up, she’s even more beautiful, and I immediately hate her for it. She’s definitely prettier than Rachelle, if that’s possible. And Rachelle is a stunner.
So is her older sister. With elegant features, sharp cheekbones, the darkest brown eyes, and those same pink bow lips as her sister. Her thick black hair is longer, falling well past her shoulders, and I wonder if she’s ever modeled. She’s very tall. Slender, with a great rack.
Ugh. Jared is a boob man. I hate him.
I turn on the water and add what feels like twenty-five pumps of soap in the palms of my hands before I start scrubbing vigorously. “Hi,” I say, though I’m not really looking at her. “Um, I’m sorry I didn’t get a chance to introduce myself. My name is—”
“Sarah. I know.” She smiles, and it’s oddly reassuring. Her expression is open. Kind. I remember how Rachelle was toward me last night, but knowing what I know now, I sort of get it. She was feeling defensive of her sister. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”
Wait. What?
“From who?” I glance down at my hands, realizing they’re still covered in sudsy soap and I rinse them some more, then turn off the water. Evelyn is standing right next to the paper towel dispenser, and like a chicken shit, I’m afraid to approach it, approach her and grab a towel.
So I stand there and drip-dry my hands like a fool.
“I spoke with Kevin last night. He seems quite taken with you. Same with Candice. She could not stop telling me how great you are.” Her smile grows, and I wonder if she adores Candice like everyone else. I’d guess yes. “Mr. Gaines had nice things to say about you, as well as Mitzi.”
I’m thrown for a moment with her use of the words Mr. Gaines, but I figure out quick that she’s talking about Marcus. Their father.
The only Mr. Gaines I know is Jared. And that’s become my special name for him, as weird as that sounds.
“They said that about me?”
Evelyn nods. Great. She knows every freaking member of the Gaines family, and they all went and told her how awesome I am, yet I had no idea who she was to Jared.
I didn’t even know she existed. Not in the context of being Jared’s freaking former fiancée. That’s major.
Huge.
“He didn’t tell you about me, did he,” she says, and I wonder if she’s some mystical witch who knows how to read minds.
“No,” I confess, and I go ahead and approach her, waving my hand in front of the paper towel dispenser and tearing off a piece. “Candice just told me only a few minutes ago.”
“I’m sorry,” Evelyn says with a sigh. “I hate that you found out that way.”
On first impression, I would’ve pegged her for being a petty bitch who’d come to find me in the bathroom so she could rub it in my face that she had Jared first. But that first assumption was just me being the petty one, and that’s really not what she’s about.
I get the sense that she’s being one hundred percent genuine right now. And I appreciate that.
A lot.
“I suppose that’s just—Jared’s way.” I sound like I’m making excuses for him.
“Don’t make excuses for him,” she chastises, confirming my mystical witch feelings. “He can be so cold sometimes. Standoffish. Rude. It’s almost like he can’t help it.”
Despite my anger towards Jared, Evelyn’s words anger me more. To the point that I have to say something.
“Don’t forget that’s my boyfriend you’re talking about,” I tell her, lifting my chin. I sound possessive as hell. “I know you were engaged to him, but that was a long time ago. And he’s changed.”
Well, he’s trying to change. I don’t know if it’s possible.
“You’re right. I was out of line for saying those things, and I’m sorry.” She reaches out and lightly touches my arm. “His family has said that too. That they hope he’s a changed man, and some of them told me they believe it’s thanks to you. I’m so glad to hear that. I only want him to be happy.”
I glance down at her left hand, which still rests on my arm, momentarily dazzled by the giant diamond on her finger. It’s so big, it looks fake. “You’re married.” I lift my gaze to hers. “I heard Kevin say that.”
“Yes, and I’m so happy.” Her hand drops away and she smiles. “And that’s all I want, for Jared to be happy too. I have no ill will toward him. Not anymore. We were young, and we rushed into the relationship, so giddy and in love. But it was all smoke and mirrors, and once real life intruded, it became, I don’t know. Boring? He was never around. Always working, never wanting to spend time with me, and I believed it was my fault. That something was wrong with me.”
I blink at her, wishing she’d tell me more, yet not wanting to hear any of it. I’m intruding on his past relationship. Only hearing it from the other side, and that’s dangerous.
I also don’t like hearing about Jared being in love with someone else. A gorgeous woman who actually seems really nice. Someone I could possibly like as a friend, which is kind of weird.
This entire situation is weird.
“Then he asked me to marry him, and I believed he must’ve loved me after all. A man must love you if he’s asked you to marry him, right?”
I nod, but don’t say a word. I’m guessing she doesn’t expect me to.
“After the newness of our engagement wore off, and I stopped staring at my ring all day long, I realized we’d fallen back into the same pattern. He never told me his feelings. He was very…closed off. I believed it was because he lost his mother, and he never fully dealt with it. I don’t know if that’s true, but it’s what I thought.”
My heart is heavy with all of the information she’s giving me.
“I was talking with my friends one day, and they all told me, ‘Ev, if you’re so miserable with this guy, then why are you marrying him?’ And I realized they were right. Do you have friends who are always real with you, no matter how much it might hurt?” Evelyn asks.
“Yes.” I inhale a shuddery breath. “I have some of the best friends in the world.”
“That’s good.” She smiles.
“Was it—was it difficult for you, when you broke it off with Jared?”
“So difficult, but he responded in that typical Jared way.” Her lips twist. “He really didn’t say much at all. Oh, something along the lines of, ‘I’m sorry you feel that way,’ like I was ending a business merger, but otherwise, that was it. He didn’t fight for me. He didn’t shout his undying love. He took back the ring and slipped it in his pocket. Told me that he would miss me, and at that point, his voice broke a little. I suppose he was trying to show some emotion, but by then, it was much too late. His immediate reaction confirmed I did the right thing.”
I remain quiet, absorbing everything she said. If I tried to end it with him right now and he reacted that way toward me, I’d be furious.
Yet I can’t imagine him behaving that way. I don’t think he would. I may have only known him for a few months, and known him intimately for only a few days, but I just can’t see it. I believe he’d fight for me.
If that makes me an idiot, then so be it.
“We should probably get back,” I tell Evelyn, my stomach choosing this exact moment to growl loudly. “Obviously, I’m hungry.”
Her expression turns serious. “I’m glad you let me talk to you.”
“Why wouldn’t I?” I ask incredulously.
“Most women wouldn’t want to hear what their current boyfriend’s ex-fiancée has to say about him. I appreciate your openness.”
“You were the one who was so open with me, Evelyn,” I say. “And you’ve given me a lot to think about.”
“All good, I hope?” She lifts a delicate brow in question.
“We’ll see,” I answer ominously.
We exit th
e bathroom together, making small talk, and by the time we’re entering the private room where everyone is eating and talking, Jared is sitting there, looking like he wants to die. Evelyn and I are laughing about a stupid meme we both saw recently on Instagram.
Jared’s gaze finds me, and it’s almost comical, how wide his eyes get. I keep my expression neutral, touching Evelyn’s arm and letting her know how glad I am to meet her, before we split apart and I settle in my seat in between Candice and Jared while she goes and sits with her parents.
“You were just talking to Evelyn?” he asks, his voice sharp.
Nodding, I turn to meet his gaze. “I was.”
And then I help myself to a giant spoonful of chow mein, dumping it on my empty plate.
He’s speechless. I’m able to add a small helping of sweet and sour chicken and Mongolian beef before he finally says something. “You know who she is, don’t you?”
Ah. He is so smart.
“I do,” I say, keeping my voice even. “And we definitely need to talk, but not now. Not in front of your family, Jared. Let’s eat and you enjoy your time with Kevin and everyone else.”
Ooh, I am such a mature adult. But I mean every word I say. I don’t want to argue with him at the table. I don’t want to drag him outside and scream at him. They’d all think I’m insane, and I’m not the insane one here.
That would be Jared.
But we’ll talk about it later, on the car ride home. He’s not going to get away with this. I’m calling him out on his bad behavior, and he’s going to have to answer to me, since we’re trapped in a car together for two hours.
That should be fun.
Thirty-Five
Jared
Sarah’s calm behavior is freaking me out. Seeing her enter the room with Evelyn, both of them laughing like they were old friends? Maybe even laughing about me? I thought my head was going to explode.
Seeing the two of them together made me realize that maybe I wasn’t completely over what happened between Evelyn and me. Not that I’m still in love with her—I’m not—but because of the way our relationship ended, that’s why I put up the walls. I haven’t let anyone in for years, including my own family. I keep everyone at a distance, say shitty things on purpose to drive them away so they can’t hurt me.
And Evelyn’s rejection of me, and our future together, hurt me. It’s only taken me this long to realize the full extent of the damage. Damage I’ve also done to myself.
Once Sarah returned to her seat next to mine, I tried talking to her, but she wasn’t having it. She hasn’t been rude to me, but she’s definitely ignoring me, focusing on everyone else, and all I can keep thinking is that finally, a woman comes along that I can see a future with, and I’ve ruined it.
I’ve ruined us.
My appetite gone, I shove my plate away from me, exhaling loudly as I cross my arms and slump in my seat.
“You okay?” Kevin asks.
“Not really,” I answer truthfully, earning a shocked look from my baby brother. “But I’ll be all right. Eventually.”
I hope what I’m saying is true.
“Does it have to do with Evelyn and Sarah walking into the room together?” Kevin asks, his voice cautious.
“You saw that too?” Great. The whole family probably saw it. God knows what they’re all thinking. Or saying.
“I did, though you shouldn’t worry. Evelyn never says anything bad about you.”
“I find that hard to believe,” I mutter.
“It’s true.” He shrugs. “She’s moved on, Jared. I would’ve thought you had too.”
“I have, trust me. I’m totally over her.” I sound like I’m protesting too much, so I clamp my lips shut. Though it is true. I have moved on from Evelyn. I can’t say it’s thanks to her that I don’t have long-term relationships with women.
That’s on me.
The rest of lunch goes mostly the same. Me not eating, trying to talk to Kevin but having a hell of a time focusing. I’ve agreed to be his best man, and I know he’s happy about it. I should be too. But all I can think is that I’ll have to walk with Evelyn, and Sarah probably won’t like it.
Hell, Sarah probably won’t be with me by the time Kevin and Rachelle get married, so I’m getting ahead of myself.
By the time everyone’s finished eating, we’ve all moved around, switched seats, or are standing in a corner talking. Some people—Rachelle’s parents—have already left. My father and Mitzi are the next to leave. I find myself near the door of our private room after telling them goodbye when I turn to see Evelyn standing directly in front of me.
Everything inside of me wilts. I’ve avoided talking to her for so long—years—that I’m half tempted to run out the door and never look back.
But that would make me a coward. So I stand my ground and smile at her.
“You planned on avoiding me the entire weekend, didn’t you.” She didn’t even say it as a question.
“I guess that didn’t work.” I’m joking, but her expression doesn’t change, so I assume it fell flat. “It’s been a long time, Evelyn. What am I supposed to say to you?”
“We’re going to be in-laws. We should be civil to each other at the very least. But you won’t even give me a chance.” Her words are vaguely accusing, but not her tone.
“You have to admit we’re entering strange territory,” I say.
She’s slowly shaking her head. Evelyn is a beautiful woman. I’m a sucker for a pretty face, and I fell hard for her in those early months. But once the newness faded, I realized quick that maybe she wasn’t the woman for me.
Not that I ever wanted to admit that. Not then.
“We entered that strange territory years ago when Kevin and Rachelle first got together,” Evelyn points out. “You were never around to deal with me—with us—in the first place. Now that it’s gone on so long, it’s become awkward.”
“I’m trying my best here. I don’t want it to be awkward.” And that’s the damn truth. “But what were you saying to Sarah earlier?”
Evelyn rolls her eyes. “Is that all you’re worried about? That I spilled all of your secrets to your new girlfriend?”
Hell yes. “No. I just never thought I’d see the two of you so—chummy.”
“She’s a nice woman. Very sweet. Very real.” Evelyn points. “Don’t mess it up. You’ve got a good one.”
Her words settle in my gut, making it twist and turn. It’s the words don’t mess it up that freak me out. I might’ve already done that.
“What about you? I hear you’re married.”
Her expression goes from shrewd to serene in the blink of an eye. “Gregory is a wonderful man. He’s a doctor. That’s why he’s not here this afternoon. He had to work. Though I’m sure he would love to meet you.”
I’m slightly taken aback by the enthusiasm in her voice. “Why would he love to meet me?”
“So he can thank you for not being married to me. Greg and I found each other instead.” She laughs, and it hits me.
Evelyn is completely over me. And I’m completely over her. We weren’t for each other, we never were, and that’s all right. It’s more than all right—we dodged a bullet, thanks to Evelyn’s foresight. Our lives could’ve taken a completely different path if we got married, and we would’ve never met the people we were meant to be with.
Gregory for Evelyn.
And…maybe…
Sarah for me.
Now I just have to convince her that I’m not a complete asshole.
Thirty-Six
Sarah
Just as I figured, the ride home is all kinds of weird. Traffic sucks. Jared’s mood is hard to read. I’m a fidgety mess. Oh, I planned on acting like a badass bitch and was going to call him out on his lies, but once reality hits and I’m trapped in the car with him, my inner badass bitch takes off and replaces her with Chicken-shit Sarah instead.
So I’m quiet. Pouting, even. Not a good look for me. Not a good look for any woman who wants to h
ave a serious talk with her man to clear the air.
That’s why I’m surprised when Jared says something first. “You spoke with Evelyn.”
That’s all he says.
The jerk.
Clutching my hands into fists, I take a deep breath before I say, “Your ex-fiancée? Yes, we talked.”
That tiny muscle in his jaw flexes, the way it does when he’s irritated. I’m already learning his tells. “You’re mad at me for not telling you sooner.”
“So mad!” The words explode out of me and oh my God, I feel better already. “Why didn’t you tell me before we came to San Francisco? We had a two-hour car ride Friday. You could’ve dropped that interesting little fact then, you know.”
He’s clutching the steering wheel so tightly, his knuckles are white. And I know it’s not the crappy traffic that’s bothering him either. It’s me. And this difficult conversation. “I didn’t know how to bring it up.”
“It’s real easy, Jared. You should’ve said, ‘Oh hey, Kevin’s fiancée? Her older sister used to be my fiancée. Strange, right?’ And then explained the entire situation to me.” He says nothing, so I barge on. “Instead I find out from Candice, and then when I went to the bathroom, freaking Evelyn followed me in there and proceeded to explain your entire relationship history.”
Jared looks positively horrified. “Our entire relationship history?”
Why is it so satisfying to see him squirm? Oh, I know why, he made me look like a complete fool to both his sister and his ex. “Maybe not your entire relationship, but a good chunk of it. And you know what’s the most surprising thing of all?” I think he’s afraid to ask, so I keep talking. “Evelyn is so damn nice. She was kind to me. Reminded me of one of my friends, if I’m being truthful, and Jared, I am nothing but one-hundred percent truthful with you all the time. I can’t say that about you.”
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