Page 50 of The Wedding Favor

“That’s only because you want to use the pool.”

“What? You have a pool?” I batted my eyelashes. “I had no idea.”

Mom stood, gave Mae a kiss on the top of her head, and went back to chopping up veggies for salad. “You can over here any time you want, too. It’ll be like old times. The three of us together.” Lulu’s raucous laughter drifted from the living room, making me smile. “And Lulu.”

We chatted about other things. There was a new antique store opening. Peter Stone, Mae’s ex-boyfriend, former mayor of Two Harts, and the man we loved to hate, had been dating a woman from Houston; poor thing must be desperate. I listened with half an ear, and scrolled through my phone, stopping on my text message thread with Abe. I’d changed his contact in my phone to PLANT DADDY.

All of the texts were from me to him. Instead of replying he always called. Who called instead of texting these days? Apparently, Abe.

“There was a reason I came over,” Mae said. “Besides seeing you, Mama.”

“What’s that?” Mom asked.

“Aidan called me.”

Frowning, I gazed at Mae. Why in the world would Aidan be calling my sister? “What did he want?”

“He knew Chris was leaving and wanted to say goodbye.”

I shook my head in confusion. Sure, the two of them knew each other, but they’d never been close.

Mom paused in the act of mixing up some biscuits. “You know, he reminds me of a politician.”

I choked on my tea. “Mom. I don’t think that’s a compliment.”

She shrugged. “It wasn’t meant to be. But I don’t like the way he treats you.”

“He’s a good guy,” I said, rushing once again to defend him.

“He’s got a ways to go before he’s grown, that’s for sure. I almost feel sorry for his fiancée.”

“Mom.”

“Iris.” She shot me a pointed look over her shoulder. “I don’t like the way he keeps holding on to you. Trying to have his cake and eat it too, if you ask me. If he cared, he’d take a step back and let you get on with your life.”

But he had gone on with his life, hadn’t he? He was engaged to someone else. Wasn’t I the one holding on to him? “Maybe… maybe I haven’t let him go.”

She wiped her hands on a towel and sat at the table. “Maybe it’s time to.”

“I think I’m trying,” I said, and I guessed that was the truth. The chances of Aidan running back to me, confessing his love, and begging to get back together seemed slim at this point. He’d moved on. Now I needed to.

“Is that why you’re taking Abe Ramos to the wedding?” Mae asked.

I blinked. “What?”

“Is it true? You’re taking Abe Ramos as your date to Aidan’s wedding?”

“How did you find out about that?” But as soon as I asked the question, I already knew the answer. “Aidan called you to tell you that, didn’t he?”

“You didn’t tell me,” Mae said. “I’m glad someone did.”

“I wasn’t aware I had to tell you every detail of my life,” I snapped.

“I think this is kind of a big deal. Is this a good idea? He’s way older than you. He has a kid. He’s… he’s… Abe.”

I glared at Mae. “Anything else?”

“I want an explanation.” At this point, I wasn’t sure who I was angry at more—Aidan or Mae. Neither had any right to tell me who I couldn’t see.