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He looks between them. “What on earth is going on?”
Both Jonathan and Mark breathe heavily. Neither one of them speak.
Ben looks over at me. “Mills, what’s going on?”
I open my mouth, but no words come out.
Jonathan is the one to break the silence. “It’s nothing.” He glares at me and then turns back to Ben. “Just finding out that our siblings and so-called best friends have been hiding a relationship for the last month.”
Ben stops in his tracks. His eyes trail back between me and Mark. Then back to me again.
“By the look on your face, I’m guessing I’m not the only one they’ve been lying to.”
Ben shakes his head.
“No.” His voice is hoarse. “No. You’re not the only one.” Ben doesn’t say anything else; he drops his head and heads back to his car. He gets something from inside and walks back over to hand me an envelope. “Invite to Belinda’s shower. She wanted me to make sure you knew you were invited.”
I take the envelope from his tightened fist. He doesn’t let go right away, and when he does, part of my heart breaks. I’ve never seen him like this. So hurt. So dejected. So vulnerable. A new round of tears spring to my eyes. Kiersten’s and Tori’s arms wrap around me as I hear car door slams in the background.
My roommates’ arms are replaced by Mark’s. He’s holding me close. I cling to him for dear life. Everything I feared and more happened tonight. All the weeks of happiness are wiped away in one night. Mark lifts my chin, making me look into his eyes.
“Hey,” he whispers softly, “it’s going to be okay.”
“How?” I don’t even know if my words are audible. “Everything is such a mess.”
“Because we’re in this together.” His voice is solid and sure. It’s laced with hope and a promise that I have to cling to.
“I love you.” I didn’t mean to say it. Not out loud. Certainly not at a time like this. But I do. I love him.
He chuckles softly as he nuzzles his nose into my hair and whispers in my ear. “I am so in love with you.”
And that’s all that matters. All the rest—all the best friends and all the brothers—it will all work out. Mark Winters loves me, and I love him.
Chapter 29
Millie
Christmas 5 years ago.
The kitchen and dining room are brimming with people. Loud laughter and conversations fill the air. Everyone is here for our traditional holiday brunch with our friends and neighbors. Everyone is enjoying themselves and the holiday spirit. Everyone except Denham. I haven’t seen him since our ridiculous fight last night where he accused me of flirting with Mark. Which, for the record, didn’t happen. For one, I’m with Denham and would never do that. And second, even if I wasn’t here with Denham, Mark would never flirt with me. I gave up that dream a long time ago. I am and will always be like a little sister to him. I haven’t seen Denham leave his room yet today. I want to respect his space, but I also can’t just leave things like this. This isn’t how Christmas with my family was supposed to go.
Before I can make my decision of what to do, Tori comes bounding behind me, grabbing me in a tight hug, which is impressive considering her hands are full of food from the buffet. Mom’s really outdone herself this year.
“What’s up, babe?” she asks with her mouth full of muffin, then she suddenly gets serious. “Okay, now really, what’s going on? You have your Worry Face on.”
“I’m not worried!” I snap, but I don’t mean to. I’m not mad at Tori. I’m mad at Denham. And myself. “Sorry. I’m just tired.”
She pulls me towards the loveseat at the far end of the room giving us as much privacy as could be expected in such a crowded space. “Millie, what is it? And I’m not buying the tired excuse. You have multiple levels of tired and none of them include catty.”
“I’m not being—” I don’t even have the mental fortitude to even try and defend myself. “It’s Denham.”
Tori rolls her eyes. “Of course it is.”
“Of course, what is?” Jonathan comes over and squeezes himself onto the sofa making me smooshed between the two of them. We definitely don’t fit on this like we used to.
“That Millie has Worry Face and it’s all Denham’s fault.” Tori explains.
“Ah.”
