Beth

Beth was curled up in her bed wearing Parker’s dress shirt when Brenna came in.

“Oh my, God. I knew it,” Brenna accused.

Beth glared at her. “Knew what?”

“Something happened between you and Parker.”

Beth tried to keep her voice from trembling as she wiped tears away to no avail. “Brenna, as usual you don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“The hell I don’t. You didn’t come to dinner, Parker was on his phone the whole time and then he left early, ‘to bring you something to eat’,” she said using air quotes. “And when I get to your room I find you wearing his shirt.”

“Great detective skills, Brenna. But in case you haven’t noticed, Parker’s not here.”

“Hmm,” Brenna mused making herself comfy on Beth’s bed. “I was sure he was sneaking out for a booty call with you, but maybe it’s something even juicier.”

“Sorry to disappoint, but there’s nothing juicy going on. Parker just dropped off my dinner and let me borrow a shirt.”

“And where is Romeo now?”

“Don’t call him that. And if you must know, he’s being a gentleman and staying in Uncle Harold’s room.”

Brenna scoffed. “He didn’t look like a gentleman when I walked in here this morning. That little romp in the sheets wouldn’t have anything to do with this situation would it?” Brenna asked pointing to Beth’s puffy face.

“Brenna, there is no situation! You’re getting married in two days. Don’t you have better things to do than meddle in my life?”

“Nope.” Brenna flopped onto her stomach and faced Beth. “Listen, Beth. I say this with love, but you gotta get your head outta your ass.”

“Excuse me?”

“I don’t know what it’s gonna take for you to realize that Parker’s the guy for you, but if you don’t do it soon you’re gonna regret it.”

“Like you care?”

“Of course I care. Why the hell do you think I’m always pushing you two together?”

“Are you crazy? When you found out I liked him, you teased me until I cried. And then you kissed him!”

“Duh! I was trying to get you to make your move.”

“By kissing the guy I like?”

“You might not like my methods, but I’m not wrong, Beth. Parker’s the one. You should admit it to yourself before it’s too late. I’ve dated a lot of guys and I assure you there aren’t many like Parker. He won’t wait around forever. Trust me.”

There was a sadness in Brenna’s voice that Beth had never heard before. Of all the Bennett girls, Brenna was the toughest. She never let anything get her down. Not even when her jerk of a boyfriend abandoned her, pregnant and all. She embraced it. But that was Brenna—the world could crumble around her and she’d just keep going, unflinching.

Beth had always thought of her sister that way. But the melancholy tone in Brenna’s voice gave Beth pause. Maybe things got to Brenna more than Beth knew. It couldn’t have been easy to raise a baby on her own. Her heart must’ve been broken when her ex left her. Really, who does that? Beth prayed that Eric the Marine was nothing like Rex the ex.

She took Brenna’s hand in an act of sisterly solidarity, and just when Beth was thinking there was more to her sister, Brenna popped up and yawned. “Well I gotta get my beauty rest if I’m gonna look better than all you bitches tomorrow.” Brenna paused and gave Beth a once over, smirking. “At least I know I got you beat.” Then she flounced from the room like she hadn’t a care in the world.

Beth flopped back on her bed. That was Brenna. The girl was like pepper spray when it came to connecting. Perhaps that was her coping mechanism—never let anyone close enough to hurt you. Beth found herself wondering if Eric knew what the hell he was in for. But as Beth closed her eyes, she couldn’t shake Brenna’s words from her mind.

Brenna’s tactics might be crazy, but what if she was right? What if all along the guy Beth was meant to be with had been standing right in front of her? Even as she formed the thought, Beth felt things shifting into place. It was like someone had finally turned on the lights and she was staring at a path she’d never noticed before. And it led to everything Beth had been searching for.

Parker

It turned out uncle Harold did snore like a horse. Parker told himself he probably wouldn’t have gotten much sleep anyway. Not when his mind was too busy overanalyzing his discussion with Beth. After a few more hours of useless tossing and turning, Parker gave up. He slipped out of bed and tiptoed onto the balcony. At least out there he could hear himself think. Harold’s snoring was sawing Parker’s nerves to pieces.

Parker took off his glasses and rubbed his tired eyes. Sadly, when he put them back on the world looked just as bleak. He felt like a jerk for stressing Beth out. This was the last thing she needed. He knew just attending one of her sister’s weddings was enough to drive Beth insane, but couple that with their confusing kiss and Jared’s antics . . . Parker exhaled deeply. He’d royally screwed up. He was supposed to be Beth’s moral support. He’d always prided himself at being there for her and knowing exactly what she needed. But as Parker stared up at the pale moon, he felt completely lost. He had no idea how to make things better.

His life had never felt so off. It was as if the world tilted and he was desperately trying to grab hold of something to keep him steady. Parker leaned his elbows on the railing and rested his head in his hands. Never in a million years had he imagined Beth would kiss him. It turned his world upside down.

Despite the constant surge of turmoil racing through his veins, Parker couldn’t help being glad that it happened. The kiss forced Parker to finally get things out in the open. And no matter the outcome, he told himself he was better off, because keeping his feelings for Beth bottled up was taking its toll. He hadn’t realized the immense weight he carried with him at all times until he’d finally let everything out. Well not everything.

He’d told Beth how he felt, but that was just the tip of the iceberg. There were a million more things he wanted to confess. But the one that was currently nagging him was his conversation with Caroline. He’d already told Beth about seeing Caroline and Jared together, and she’d blown it off. But Parker’s conversation with Caroline after the lacrosse game confirmed his suspicions. There was definitely something going on with Jared and Caroline, and Beth deserved to know.

But things were precarious between Parker and Beth right now. How could he possibly tell her about Caroline’s proposal and not come off as desperate? Parker wanted Beth to pick him over Jared. He wanted to know he was her first choice, not some consolation prize. Parker sighed. He needed to trust his gut and Beth’s heart. What other option did he have? His own heart was already in her hands—just like it had always been.