“You have?” Alina blinked.
“Yes.” Irritation pumped through Olivia’s veins. “Is there another alternative? Maybe you can decline the conference invite. You’ve had the bachelorette date set for a year.”
Alina’s face collapsed into a frown. “I can’t decline the invite. It’s the most prestigious conference in my field. One of their original speakers pulled out, and they’re counting on me. Plus, September nineteenth is the only weekend that works for all the bridesmaids.”
“Except me.” The metal from Olivia’s fork dug into her hand. “I didn’t realize you’d already checked with everyone else before you told me.”
“I was going to tell you earlier.” A defensive note crept into Alina’s voice. “Like I said, I forgot.”
“Olivia, this is your sister’s bachelorette,” Eleanor cut in. “Youronlysister. You have other friends besides Kris. Family comes first.”
Olivia’s head wasthis closeto pulling a Mount Etna and exploding. “I’m a bridesmaid in Kris’s wedding.”
“You’re a bridesmaid in Alina’s wedding, too.”
“Well, maybe if I’d been the maid of honor—since I’m her only sister and all—we wouldn’t have this problem,” Olivia snapped. “I would’ve sorted out the logistics better.”
Alina paled, but Eleanor looked bored. “Don’t tell me you’re still upset about that. Holding a grudge is not classy.”
“You know why I asked Kayla!” Alina burst out, causing their mother to shoot her favorite daughter a rare frown. Eleanor despised scenes. “She lives in Chicago, she enjoys planning, and you’re always so busy. I thought I was doing you a favor so you could focus on school instead of worrying about my wedding. You didn’t want to be my maid of honor, anyway.”
Olivia was so done with this conversation, this brunch, this wholeday.
“Fine, whatever. You’re right. But I’m sorry to say that I won’t make it to your bachelorette, because I’ll be in Italy. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to use the ladies’ room.” She pushed her chair back, stood, and speed-walked to the restroom, blinking back tears.
It was dumb for her to feel so hurt over her sister’s bachelorette party, considering she’d been dreading the event, but it was further proof that Eleanor and Alina barely listened to her or considered her a part of the family.
Olivia had come to terms with her father’s absence in her life. She’d never known the guy, and she had no interest in seeking him out. Any man who walked away from his family didn’t deserve her energy. Her mother and sister were different. She’d grown up with them, and she had no clue why they disliked her so much. The one time she tried to bring it up with them, her sister had interrupted because her Pottery Barn order had arrived and needed her attention, and her mother had dismissed her as being “paranoid.”
Olivia splashed cold water on her face and fought to regain control of her emotions.Fuck it.Kris had been more of a sister to her than Alina had ever been, and she wouldn’t feel guilty about choosing Kris’s wedding over Alina’s bachelorette.
The restroom door opened. She didn’t pay attention to the newcomer until she heard a familiar male voice.
“How’re you doing?”
Olivia yelped and glared at Richard, who leaned against the wall with a smirk, looking every inch the preppy douche in a pale blue button-down shirt and pink pants.
“This is the women’s restroom,” she snapped. “Just because you’re wearing pink doesn’t mean you belong here.”
“I wanted to check on you. You seemed upset.” Richard walked over, faux concern shining on his face. “I totally get it. It’s a bummer, missing your sister’s bachelorette.”
“Sure. Now get the fuck out.”
“I can make you feel better.” He ran the back of his finger down her cheek, and she shuddered with revulsion. “I’ve always thought you were hot. Different from Alina, but hot.” He leered at her legs. “I know you’re attracted to me, too. We don’t live in the same city, which is a shame, but Alina and Eleanor are going to a wine tasting tonight that I’m skipping. Our hotel room will be free for hours...”
Olivia gaped at him, certain she was hearing wrong. Was her sister’s fiancé seriouslypropositioningher in a public bathroom in the middle of brunch with said sister? And was he seriously asking her to come over tothe hotel room he shared with Alina?
He either had a serious abundance of balls or a serious lack of brains. She’d bet on the latter.
“Are you fucking kidding me? I am in no way, shape, or form attracted to you.” Olivia stepped back, her stomach roiling with disgust. “I also don’t think mysister—who’s sittingright outside—would appreciate your invitation.”
Richard didn’t look fazed. “Hey, it was worth a shot. Good way to get back at her, you know what I mean?” He winked. “If you change your mind, you know where to find me.”
He sauntered out, looking for all the world like he hadn’t offered to cheat on his soon-to-be wife.
What. The. Fuck.
Olivia pressed the heel of her palm to her eye, struggling to sort through what just happened. She’d always known Richard was an asshole, but she hadn’t thought he was idiotic enough to act on his sleazy impulses. Judging by how casually he’d walked out of here, he wasn’t at all concerned that Olivia would tell Alina—or, if she did, that Alina would believe her.
Which begged the question: was he right?
Olivia’s conscience demanded she tell Alina, but there was a real possibility her sister would think she was lying. Richard had Alina wrapped around his pampered finger. But Olivia had to try, right? Or would it just drive a further wedge between her and her family? Eleanor for sure wouldn’t take her side. Her mother and sister would probably think she was jealous and trying to break up Alina’s engagement because she was a bitter shrew or something.
Olivia groaned and covered her face with her hands.
Her day had gone from Bad to Worse to Hall of Fame Hellish.