31. Wren

By Monday, I still hadn’t bothered to get a new phone, which meant I was paying for a phone plan I wasn’t using. Tom offered to take me to pick up a new one. Instead, I’d snuggled with him and Caffrey on the sofa, unwilling to step outside my little bubble of peace. This morning, though, I was fully out of the bubble and back at work, which meant I needed a phone. And I needed a place to live.

I’d had the doorman let me in my apartment to grab some things this weekend, and Tom didn’t mind that I was staying with him. I’d been staying there every night anyway.

But I was furious. My parents’ love shouldn’t have come with strings. And discovering that it did had shaken me. Maybe I had overreacted. I didn’t know. But I was devastated.

At the sound of a knock on my door, I looked up, and when I discovered Erin standing at the threshold, I fought back a wince.

I licked my lips and garnered what little strength I’d held on to over the past couple of days. “Hi.”

“Can I come in?” she asked, crossing her arms over her chest.

I nodded.

Her expression remained neutral as she settled into the chair across from me. “Want to talk about anything? ”

I might not want to talk, but I needed to say a few things. “I feel like I should probably apologize.”

Her eyes narrowed and her brow crinkled in confusion. “For?”

“You warned me to be professional before I went to New York, and I failed you.”

“Ah.” Nodding, she folded her hands in her lap. “Do you feel like Tom Wilson got less than stellar service working with you?”

That gave me pause. “No. Of course not.” I might have crossed lines, but I’d done a damn good job acquiring that piece.

“I haven’t heard anything to counter that either.” She frowned. “Obviously, your involvement with Tom means I shouldn’t ask for his opinion, but Kline said you handled Tom’s piss-poor attitude without missing a beat. He said you didn’t panic when Tom locked himself out of the room and you remained discreet about your travels and the art throughout the trip.”

That was all true.

“The staff at the MET raved about you. Your skill, your attention to detail, your professionalism. You reported in the night before with a storm update plan and adjusted flights when you needed to. Then you made it home and ran an auction the next day without missing a beat. All of that for a trip that was forced on you last minute with a client you had never worked with.”

My heart fluttered, but I wasn’t sure whether it was in appreciation or dread.

“I’ve been telling Tom for a good two years that the two of you were perfect for each other.”

Shock hit me like an electric current. What? I assumed that, from the outside, most people would see us as completely incompatible. Maybe because that’s what I’d thought for years. Even Tom didn’t see it as easily as Erin apparently had.

“I’m not upset that you’re dating.” She sighed. “I’m a bit bummed that you won’t be working for me forever, but working together in a different capacity will be fun.”

I pursed my lips. “What?”

“You’ll have the job you’ve always wanted when you work for Tom. I’d love to help you facilitate his art purchases and come to your events as a colleague and a friend.” She smiled. “But you won’t be here much longer because you’re going to curate and run what will become one of the biggest galleries in Boston.”

Spurred on by a wave of pride, I sat a bit straighter in my seat. “You really have that much faith in me?”

“I’m good at spotting talent, Wren. And I saw it in you years ago.” She reached across the desk and patted my hand.

“Thanks.”

“So,” she said, pulling back. “I’m not offering you Pat’s job.”

I frowned. It was disappointing, but even if she had offered it, I couldn’t have taken it. Not if Tom really wanted to open a gallery in the next two years. “I assumed.”

“But it’s only because you have a foot in the door of a bigger adventure. It’s an opportunity I want you to take.”

I nodded.

“And Wren.” She stood, smoothing her skirt. “The rest will get easier, I promise. He’s worth the headache.”

I couldn’t help but give her a small smile. “That, I’m sure of.”

But five days later, nothing had gotten easier.

Growing up, Avery had always wanted to get married at my parents’ country club, and that was exactly what she and Chris were doing today.

“You sure you’re okay?” I asked Tom.

When Avery had asked him not to come to the bridal suite early, he played it off as no big deal, but the way he had shut his eyes and taken a deep breath had my heart cracking in half for the dad that had spent years being there for his daughter.

He squeezed my hand, then gripped the steering wheel again. “Chris texted yesterday and invited me to have lunch with him, his dad, and Emerson at the clubhouse. It’s easier for everyone if I’m not there while you’re all getting ready. It should have been this way from the start.”

That might have been true. He probably would have spent most of the time alone out in the hallway while we were changing. But he and Avery were so close. It was hard to imagine her not wanting him there for every moment today. And as hard as he was trying, the hurt echoed in his eyes.

“I promise I’m good, baby girl.”

I needed to get out of the car, but the club that had been like a home away from home my whole life suddenly looked scary and uninviting. Especially since I wasn’t sure I’d be welcome. I’d gotten a phone on Monday afternoon and had immediately texted Avery, but she hadn’t wanted to talk.

Taking a steadying breath, I dropped Tom’s hand and pushed the door open.

He gave me a soft, sad smile. “I’ll see you in there.”

“I’ll be the one in red,” I joked as I grabbed my dress and bag out of the back.

As he pulled away, I headed up the path surrounded by piles of January snow. I hadn’t even gotten to the door before Jana appeared.

“Ready to talk?” she asked, her red hair blowing in the cold Boston wind.

My throat tightened, making it hard to breathe. I hadn’t answered her texts. But besides Avery’s, I hadn’t answered anyone’s. “Sure.”

“I only have one thing to say, then the floor is yours.” She folded her arms over the red robe embroidered with the word bridesmaid. “You could have told me. I would have squealed in excitement with you. You’ve had a thing for Mr. Wilson forever. This wouldn’t have shocked me. I would have been there for you and helped you tell Avery.” She frowned. “I hate that you felt like you couldn’t come to me.”

“I’m sorry.” I sighed. I hadn’t worked to keep it from Jana. “It all happened quickly, and now, with everyone upset, it feels weird to say that I’m happy.”

She gently took my garment bag, then wrapped her free arm around me. “I think it’s amazing. You should have seen the way he glared at everyone as you left the other night. That man is head over heels for you, Wren.”

“It’s pretty mutual.” And it felt nice to admit that without judgment.

She giggled. “I never thought I’d see the day you fell for someone. ”

“Me either, but I don’t want to wreck today with any drama.”

She nodded.

Another wind gust ripped around us, and I shivered. “Can we go in, it’s freezing.” Together we stepped into the club, and Jana led me down to the bridal suite. The closer we got, the faster my heart beat. I wasn’t exactly sure how I would be greeted.

Luckily the room wasn’t crowded. Kristine and Chris’s sister, Gianna, were the only people in the room with Avery.

“Look who I found hanging around,” Jana announced.

Avery turned my way while a hairdresser worked on making her straight blond hair fall in beachy waves. She was always gorgeous, but today, she was going to be stunning.

I’d been there months ago when she picked out her dress. We’d laughed about the way Chris’s eyes were going to bug out of his head when he saw her. Back then, I thought this day would be filled with nothing but joy. How could it not, when my best friend was finally getting her fairy-tale wedding?

Now, I felt like a different person. My feet felt heavy and I slowed to a stop just inside the door.

Her blue eyes met mine, and she blinked twice. She hadn’t told me not to come today, but the blank stare she sent my way wasn’t exactly welcoming. With a thick swallow, I considered offering to leave.

Before I could work up the nerve, she waved me over. I moved without hesitation, and as I approached, Kristine and Gianna moved to the far side of the room, giving us a minute.

“Hi.” I gave her a small, awkward smile.

“Hi.” She sighed and picked at a piece of fuzz on her white satin robe. “I don’t want things to be weird today.”

“Me either.” It killed me to know that I’d made anything about her wedding imperfect.

She met my eye again. “Let’s just pretend you didn’t hook up with Dad. Then we can move on like it didn’t happen.”

My stomach dropped as those words ripped through my chest like a knife. Not only was she uninterested in talking things out, but she was writing my relationship with Tom off completely, like it was only a fling .

“You’ll be on to someone new by the time I’m home from my trip anyway.” With that, she spun back to the mirror.

I was at a loss for words. Was that what she thought of me? That I moved on without a thought? Maybe it was fair; in the past, hadn’t I done just that? But back then, I’d never experienced a connection like I had with Tom.

I blinked hard. It hurt that she couldn’t see the difference. Not that I’d given her a chance to. And that was on me. I could call her out, but this was her wedding day. I wouldn’t make things harder.

“It’s your day.” The words left my lips almost flatly, and I moved to the far side of the room.

“You okay?” Jana asked

I nodded.

She pursed her lips, her eyes swimming with questions. Thankfully, before she could hound me, the makeup crew walked in and the wedding fun started.

With a glass of champagne in my hand, I plastered on a smile and did my best to stay out of the way. It was nothing like how I’d pictured this day, and this was not me. But I wouldn’t cause waves.

After a while, Emerson knocked on the doorframe and sauntered in, tripping on his own feet as he did.

“No men allowed,” Gianna, his fiancée, teased.

“No grooms allowed. But men bearing gifts for the bride and the maid of honor should be welcomed with kisses.” Holding two envelopes, each with a small box, he bent down to kiss her, but Gianna gave him her cheek.

“Makeup, Em,” she chided.

“Makeup is a worse cock-block than my mother,” he grumbled, turning to Avery. “From your father, who absolutely adores you and can’t wait to see you.” He handed her a white envelope and a small box. Then he turned to me and held out the small gold envelope and box. “From the man who apparently adores you too.”

My hands shook as I reached for the package. All eyes were on me, Avery’s gaze the most palpable. “I didn’t know…” What a dumb thing to say. Of course I didn’t know he’d have a gift delivered to me. I shook my head .

“Open it, Avy,” Kristine prompted, blessedly shifting the attention of the group back to the bride. Where it should be.

I knew what was in the box for Avery, since I’d helped her dad pick it out two weeks ago. A diamond and sapphire tennis bracelet. In all honesty, he didn’t need my help. He knew her, and he’d picked the perfect something blue. She turned her back to me, excluding me from the moment.

Respecting her need for space, I stepped away and opened the envelope.

For the first of many big occasions in our life together.

A small something that I hope will always remind you of how grateful I am to have you next to me through all the important days and even the ordinary ones.

Daddy Wilson

My lips tugged up at the corners as I studied the signature. It was the first time he’d ever called himself that. He’d done it on purpose. To make me smile because he knew how hard today would be.

Across the room, Jana and Gianna gasped over the jewelry. Instead of being drawn into the excitement, I couldn’t help but worry that if I joined in, I would be an interruption. The idea made my chest hurt. No part of me wanted to be an interruption on my best friend’s day. But her comments rang in my ears. She wanted to pretend it hadn’t happened. As much as I didn’t want to hurt her, to ruin her day, I couldn’t deny my connection with Tom.

With a steadying breath, I turned back to the small jewelry box in my hand.

I cracked the gold lid, and my jaw dropped when I caught sight of the heirloom teardrop ruby nestled below a diamond on a rose gold chain. Not only was this perfect to my taste, but it was the perfect complement to my dress. That made sense, since Tom Wilson was a details man. My details man. Heart pounding, I looked up, finding that Avery was watching me, wearing a frown.

The look was a punch to the stomach. I had never wanted my relationship with Tom to cost me my best friend.