Page 88 of Only Be Mine

But some broken part of me would keep waiting anyway.

Chapter 31

Cate

Present

Amy hugged me the way she always had, with firm arms, her chin tucked over my shoulder, and her fingers pressing slow circles into my back like muscle memory might still work.

But it didn’t.

Ten years ago, there had been hope in that hug. Back then, John had only been gone a week. Missing didn’t mean forever - not yet. Now, Amy held me like someone saying goodbye to a feeling she’d already buried.

“He’s not coming back,” she whispered, smoothing my hair.

The words landed gently. Almost kindly. I let them sit there between us without agreeing or arguing.

I pulled away first. I always did.

“Thank you,” I said, soft and careful, like gratitude was safer than truth. “What time is it?”

Amy glanced at her phone. A picture of Jim and the kids filled the screen with their sticky smiles, and sunburned noses, proof that life moved on.

“Quarter to five.”

Mr. Woo locked his doors at five-oh-one. He’d made that very clear.

“I should get dressed,” I said. “I’m already late.”

Amy nodded, relief flickering across her face. Movement. A plan. Something normal.

I stood and went to my bedroom before she could say anything else.

The dress Trevor had chosen for the rehearsal hung over my closet door, pristine and waiting. I slipped it on without looking at myself, careful not to disturb my hair. I didn’t need the mirror to tell me I looked fine. Looking fine had never been the problem.

When I stepped back into the living room, Amy smiled. “You look perfect. Trevor will love it.”

She handed me a pair of flats. I slid them on and nodded once.

“Thanks.”

We drove in silence.

Mr. Woo’s shop was dark when we pulled up.

I laughed under my breath. “Of course.”

“Want me to come in with you?” Amy asked.

“No.” The word came too quickly. I softened it. “I’ll be right back.”

I should have been worried.

The dress. The timing. The fact that it was the night before the wedding and I was standing outside a darkened shop.

But part of me didn’t care.

What was the worst that could happen?