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We went out to watch the stars, and Wyatt and Scarlett started making out, and I chickened out. I said no to that future.

But a part of me didn’t want to let go of Amelia completely. So, I told her about my best friend. I told her how great Ethan was and how well they would get along. She seemed confused maybe for a minute, but eventually she accepted it. I somehow managed to convince her I’d gotten close to her to set her up with my friend. We went back inside, and I introduced her to Ethan.

We never talked about it again. I hope that—unlike Scarlett—she’s forgotten that night.

“I thought Ethan would be good for her,” I say.

I’d picked Ethan because he’s a good guy. He was my best friend. In a sick way, I thought I was offering them both a gift, offering my best friend my perfect girl.

“They were supposed to be happy together. They were supposed to…”

I don’t know… live happily ever after.

“Avery thinks you’re in love with Amelia.”

I laugh. “I know.”

It’s been Avery’s favorite topic of conversation with me. Every time she drinks too much, she goes on and on about how I need to get over Amelia and find someone else. I always laughed it off. I’ve never admitted my true feelings to her. I’ve never admitted them to anyone. I’ve never admitted them to myself.

“Well… are you?”

I don’t answer, mostly because my chest feels like it’s grown three sizes, and I can barely get a breath in, let alone getting words out.

“Oh, Blake.” Scarlett sounds exasperated now. “If you’re going to break her heart, then just end things now. Let her think it was just a fun fling. Let her think it was all to get revenge on Ethan. But it needs to end, now that he knows. I know you wanted to teach him a lesson, but I don’t think you want to lose his friendship forever.”

Scarlett is making sense. But my heart clenches painfully.

“But…” Scarlett pauses.

Oh, the hope that surges through me from that one word. It threatens to make me giddy from lightheadedness.

“If Avery is right… if you’ve really been in love with her since… since Luke’s wedding. For twenty years. Then don’t give up. Don’t let her go. You deserve to be happy.”

I shake my head, because no matter how much I want it for me, I can’t let Amelia get hurt. “I’m not good enough for her.”

Scarlett lets out a noise that’s a cross between a snort and a pfff. Either way, it’s dismissive. “Only you control what you do. You couldn’t make Ethan be good to her, but you can make yourself. If you really want Amelia to be with someone who makes her happy, you’re the only person you can force to be good for her.”

“But Ethan—”

She puts her hand on my shoulder. “He’ll get over it.”

Even if Ethan finds it in him to forgive me, Amelia will never feel comfortable hanging out with him. I’ll always feel like I’m in the middle.

“Ethan made his own bed,” Scarlett says, her voice cold for someone talking about her own brother. “It’s not your fault.”

“It’s not my fault that I pushed him to marry a woman that wasn’t right for him just because I wanted to keep her close without committing myself?”

How many times when he and Amelia were dating did Ethan come to me with doubts about his relationship? And every time I told him that he’d never find someone better than Amelia.

“No.” There is no hesitation in her voice. “Marriage is a big deal. He should have married someone he liked instead of settling for someone his friend liked.”

I lie back on my elbows, my gaze settling on the mountains again. I breathe in deep, letting the familiar view settle my nerves.

Scarlett does the same, her legs swinging under the porch.

“So, who are you going to go on a date with?” I ask, ready for a subject change.

She smiles. “I don’t know. Do you know any single men? At least I know you’re not in love with them.”