“You ready for this?”
“Of course I am.”
“No reservations? You know it’s not too late to back out.”
“Why would I want to do that? This was my idea, after all.”
“I don’t know. Just thought I would put it out there.”
“Well don’t. There isn’t anything that could change my mind,” I tell him.
“Really? What if you finally face the truth that you love him and this is going to end with you having a broken heart? Is that reason enough to call it off?” he asks.
I can feel my face flush from his words. “Listen, Aaron, I care about Evan, more than just as my friend, I will admit that, but those feelings are not going to stop me from going through with this. I love this little girl like she were mine. I can’t let them take her. Whatever is going on between Evan and me, we will either work it out or we won’t. My eyes are wide open, Aaron. I know I’m risking my heart with both of them. Evan is a great guy. He would never keep Lex from me. I know that. If he’s just my friend when this is all said and done, then so be it. At least they will both still be a part of my life. I don’t think I could accept a world where that isn’t the case.”
“You love him.” Aaron smiles cockily.
My big brother is so damn frustrating. “Fine, yes, I love him. My heart skips a beat when he walks in the room. I don’t sleep when his arms aren’t wrapped around me. You happy now?”
“You’re sleeping with him?” His voice is deathly calm.
“Aaron, come on. We’ve slept in the same bed a few times, all this week actually, and a few times before that.”
“That’s not what I asked you,” he fires back.
“Look, I’m sure this is not a conversation you want to hear about your little sister.”
“You’re right, it’s not, but it’s also about my best friend. I thought Evan had more respect for you than that,” he seethes.
“He does. No, we’re not having sex!” I raise my voice, causing Lexi to jump. I bounce her in my arms. “Look, Aaron, I’m going to say this once, and then we’re never talking about it again. I mean it. You can’t even bring it up to Evan. Yes, we’ve done more than just a few kisses here and there, but I have not had intercourse with him. Does that mean I won’t? No, it doesn’t. This does not involve you, Aaron. Please, just let it go. Evan treats me like I’m precious to him. Never once has he done something I was not fully on board with. Now drop it.”
“McKinley—” I raise my hand to stop him.
“Don’t! Just let it go. I’m in this, Aaron. Nothing you say can change my mind. I know I’m your sister and he’s your best friend, but what happens between Evan and me is just that, between us. You need to stay out of this.”
He runs his fingers through his hair. “Fuck! All right, I’ll try my best.” He sits down on the bed. “Now give me the munchkin. Her dad was hogging her and Uncle Aaron needs his fix.” He changes the subject. He’s frustrating as hell, but I love him and it’s nice to know, above all, he has my back.
“But I just got her,” I whine.
“Too bad, go shower while we play.” He takes Lex from my arms and waves his hand toward the bathroom. “You do have a wedding to get to in just a few hours, you know.”
He’s right. Today, I marry my best friend, who just also happens to be the man I’m head over heels in love with, but too afraid to tell him. There are times when I think he feels it too, but it’s not worth the risk. Not having him and Lexi in my life in any capacity is just not an option for me. I’ll love him silently.
“Oh, sweetheart, you look beautiful.” Mom has tears in her eyes.
“You ready for this?” Dad asks.
“Yeah, I really am. This is the right thing to do. Evan is a good man, you know that.”
“I know, honey. He confirmed it when he asked for your hand.”
Wait! What? “He . . . what did you just say?”
“Evan stopped by a few days before you all left and asked us both for your hand. Said he wanted to do things right, even under the circumstances,” Dad explains.
Holy shit!
“I take it you didn’t know?” Mom asks.