Page 14 of The Best I Never Had

Another cousin steps forward, this one with slight graying around the temples that works well for him. “No, Owen’s right, Thea deserves someone more dignified.”

“If by dignified, you mean half in the grave,” Owen says, and he lets out a little oof when the new cousin punches him in the stomach.

Camila, the bride at the last wedding and the only cousin in the circle I could have named, lays a hand on her small bump. “You can be my mistress if you want to avoid the pestering from these bozos.”

I laugh and point at Camila, running my eyes over the group. “That’s the first tempting offer I’ve received.”

Gabriel comes to my other side and throws his arm around my shoulder, sandwiching me between him and Addy.

“Don’t be like that,” he says. “People tell me all the time I look like a young Owen.” I can see it. Besides the deep tan skin he inherited from his Mexican mother, he could be Owen’s clone. He has the same sharp jawline and kaleidoscope eyes, but there’s a playfulness to him that’s missing from Owen’s strong, stoic features. “Imagine it. The same good looks, but with the stamina of a young man and an actual sense of humor.”

The group laughs, but I catch Owen’s flinch. Teasing may be the Ellises’ love language, but something about that particular insult hurt Owen, and it sparks an unexpected protective fury in me.

“Maybe you assholes just aren’t smart enough to get his sense of humor.” The words, tipped with venom, explode out of me before they’ve fully formed in my mind, and the entire group goes silent.

I shift uncomfortably on my feet as they blink at me. My eyes land on Addy, who is looking between each of the cousins in panic. I can practically see the thoughts behind her deep brown eyes. Thea once again can’t control her temper.

Why am I like this? Why do I always get angry and say the wrong thing? I have to get this back on track for Addy’s sake.

I force a shit-eating grin, nudging Gabriel with my elbow. “At least he can make me laugh at all, unlike you that weekend.”

The cousins all bust out in mock outrage, except for Gabriel, who plants a smacking kiss on my cheek. “I knew you remembered me.”

The cousins start in on each other again and the conversation moves on. But I catch Owen’s eye over Addy’s shoulder, and he’s looking at me with such soft gratitude that I almost melt on the spot.

And in that moment, I think that pretending to have once been in love with Owen Hayes doesn’t seem all that difficult.

Chapter 5

OWEN

I never thought I’d see Thea Pappas again.

At least, not outside my dreams. She looks just like she did three years ago. Her blond hair is the same, bouncing a few inches past her shoulders in tight ringlets that would probably reach down to the tantalizing curve at the bottom of her back if straightened. Her dark eyes still dart around any room she’s in, and I could never tell if it was nervousness or if she was just too curious not to know everything at once. Hell, she was even wearing the same dress she wore to the wedding. I expected her to behave like she would in one of my dreams, to drag me out of the room to make out against a wall or walk up to me and say something inappropriate.

To be fair, she did say something inappropriate, but that’s not the type of inappropriate my mind creates for her.

My family has once again flocked to her. They’re having fun messing with me, but she also just fits with them, giving back whatever they throw out.

I spot my mom and Aunt Dawn slinking over, and I try to catch Thea’s eye so she can escape. She’s too engrossed in a story Camila’s telling about her and her wife’s honeymoon to notice.

“Thea, I wanted to introduce you to my twin sister, Dawn. She’s coordinating the wedding, and I’m sure you’ll spend lots of time together this week. Plus, it’s good to get to know family.”

Thea’s eyes flick to mine and then back. “I’m excited to get to know Addy’s new family this week.”

The emphasis on Addy leaves no question for anyone in the group where Thea stands on our relationship, but either Mom is the exception or she just doesn’t care.

“Addy’s family,” she says, puffing out air. “Like you weren’t part of the family long before she came into the picture.”

Addy tenses beside Thea, her eyes dropping to the floor. Thea’s face goes dark. I don’t know what’s going to come out of those beautiful lips when she opens them, but it won’t work out well for anyone involved, including Addy.

“Who the hell says that?” Thea asks, her fingers twisting into fists so tight her knuckles turn white.

My mom sputters, “I … I was just being welcoming.”

Thea’s lips twist into a menacing grin. “You call that welcoming? I’d hate to see what you’re like when you don’t want someone around.”

She’s incredible like this. Vicious and pissed and ready to jump into any fight necessary to protect her sister. The anger brings a flush to her cheeks and brightness to her eyes. I could watch her all night.