I LET AIDEN LEAVE MY office, watching him as he swaggers out with his head held high.

Untouchable.

Incredibly sexy.

Used to be mine.

I didn’t deserve him.

I didn’t deserve his kindness or patience.

Worse, I didn’t deserve his love.

“Why couldn’t I have said it back to him when I had the chance?” I start to cry, but I take a deep breath and hold back the tears

With a sigh, I pack up my things and head out to Bluebelle Hills.

***

MY PARENTS AREN’T THERE when I arrive. So, I eat dinner by myself and spend the night at in my old room, surrounded by memories.

It’s like my childhood is frozen in time, with pictures of Joe and me at prom. There are more of us, at college, in front of his frat house, and at homecoming.

Of course, Paige is right there with us.

I study the pictures on the wall, trying in vain to see if there’s some clue I missed. If Joe was unhappy and simply went along with things, but I can honestly say he doesn’t look sad or mad... or coerced.

He looks like the boy I loved, with his blond hair and brown eyes. With his kind smile and big heart.

“What happened to you?” I ask his picture, but it won’t answer me.

I cut off the overhead light.

Tomorrow, he won’t answer me, either, and I won’t bother to ask. I won’t like the answer, or worse, he won’t be able to give one that satisfies or doesn’t make me feel more like a failure.

My binder sits on my dresser. I grab it, returning to my bed and cutting on the lamp. I trace my name on the outside, the glittery green worn down to almost a pale yellow. The pink has faded to blush, but when I open it, it’s as if we’re old friends again and I can’t wait to spend time creating each page.

Smiling, I turn them, watching each passing year go by... Aiden’s handsome, serious face is there, too. Unsmiling, but always watching over me while I grow up... until my engagement party photos.

Kingston managed to get Aiden in a few and his eyes, his face... My breath catches in my throat.

He looks tormented.

Miserable.

Angry.

Yet, I never knew.

He never said a word because he wanted me to have my happily ever after, and I threw it in his face.

I swallow a sob. “I’m so sorry. I swear I’ll make it up to you as soon as I put this behind me.”

***

THE NEXT MORNING, I’M boxing up my things when my momma comes in. She looks at me in surprise.

“When did you get here?”

“Yesterday evening.”

“Your father and I spent the night in Virginia Beach. It was a spontaneous trip.”

“Sounds fun.” I continue to pack my things away.

“I never meant to push Joe on you... none of us meant to do that to you two.”

My head snaps up. I look into her brown eyes, which are filled with guilt. “You never pushed him on me. He was always my choice.”

“Maybe in the beginning and toward the end, but in the middle...” Momma smiles sadly. “We wanted it to happen so badly that honestly, Layton, I can’t agree with you. It backfired on us. Now not only have we lost our friends, but your father and I almost lost our daughter.”

Tears fill my eyes and my lips tremble. “I’m not going anywhere.”

“You certainly aren’t staying here.”

“Oh my gosh.” I laugh, my tears leaving me, thankfully. “I’m moving out of Kingston’s tomorrow and into Paige’s old place.”

Momma picks up one of my dolls. “Make sure you visit at least once a month, maybe twice.”

“You make it sound like I’m never coming back to Bluebelle Hills.”

“That’s because you’re not.” She kisses my forehead. “With mine and your daddy’s blessing. You can do it without our blessing, but we wanted you to know that we’re supporting you spreading your wings and flying.”

“Stop saying stuff like that.” I sniff, looking up at the ceiling while I wipe under my eyes. “I don’t have on waterproof mascara.”

“That’s a first.”

“I need incentive not to cry in front of Joe when I sign the papers.” I glance at my momma. She blinks at me. “Happy tears, of course.”

A laugh and a snort bursts from my momma’s mouth. “Never change, sugar. Never change.”

***

THE NEXT AFTERNOON can’t come fast enough on account that our time had to be pushed back for no reason at all in my opinion, but I start to dread it once Joe shows up and sits in the waiting room with me.

I keep my eyes on my phone while Paige sends me texts of support.

Paige: You have better taste in men than he does women.

Layton: Aiden does taste good.

Paige sends me a green-faced emoji followed up with a heart.

Layton: Just keeping it real.

Paige: Keep that info really far away.

I giggle.

Joe clears his throat.

If he’s doing it to make me be quiet, he’s got another thing coming.

“Need one?” Joe pulls out a mint and unwraps it. “I have a tickle in my throat.”

Apparently, the thing he needed was a cough suppressant. “No, thank you.”

Kingston pushes the doors open, walking in wearing a smart-looking suit and confident smile. “I’m here. Let’s get this over with... Layton, honey?”

While he’s not representing me, I wanted him to go over the contract to make sure it was fair. Since our father isn’t a divorce lawyer, and he didn’t want to be accused of manipulating the law in any way, mine and Joe’s parents hired out-of-town attorneys to represent their children.

Looking back, I should have hired my own lawyer, but as they say, hindsight is always twenty-twenty.

I stand, smooth my skirt down, and take my brother’s arm. “A little flashy, even for you.”

“Time and place.”

“Whatever.”

Our marriage is dissolved as quick as the strokes of mine and Joe’s pens.

“Layton, I want—”

“You’ve wanted enough,” I say sweetly. “Unless you have anything to say that’s pertinent to our divorce, then we have nothing to share with one another.”

Kingston pats my hand under the table. “Nice one,” he whispers, and I sit up a little taller.

We walk outside. The day is bright and sunny. The air brisk.

Joe strides to his car.

Tiffany waves from the passenger seat.

I wave back.

Kingston grabs my hand. “Don’t wave at her.”

“Stop it. We’re just being friendly,” I say, waving again. “It’s not her fault she has crappy taste in men, and nothing for nothing she’s a great wedding planner.”

“You’re a lot more forgiving than I would be, kid.” Kingston adjusts his tie.

“Which is why I’ll live a lot longer than you because the epic Price grudge gene skipped me.” With a smile and a deep sigh, I turn to Kingston. “Wanna go to Lula’s for some cake?”

He slings his arm around me. “I’ll watch.”

“I might let you have a slice.”

“And draw back a nub? No thanks.”

“I said I’d share willingly.”

“Because you were so kind, here’s some information for you.” He opens the door to Lula’s bakery. “Aiden will be at my house tomorrow. There’s a party, and he’s going to meet a woman who will offer him something he won’t be able to turn down. It’s something he’s always wanted.”

“Not if I can help it.” I march up to the counter and order two slices of chocolate cake. “Your turn.”

“I’ll have the carrot cake.”

“Good choice.”

“Didn’t want to draw back a nub,” he repeats, and I bump him with my hip.

“I love you, big brother of mine.”

“Love you, too, kid.”