Chapter 4

The rain started as we entered the bridal boutique.

The manager showed us into a private fitting suite. My dress was waiting there, its skirt spread out to show the pearls sewn into the fabric. Ethan had helped design it for me.

I went into the fitting room.

Through the door, I heard Vanessa say, “I'm going to quit.”

Ethan didn't answer for a long time.

“Don't do this,” he said at last.

“I'm serious.” Her voice was quiet. “I don't want to hurt Claire anymore. She's my best friend.”

I tightened my grip on the lining of the dress. Then my hands fell to my sides.

Ethan sighed.

“Vanessa, you know—”

Thunder cut across his words.

The fitting-room door was slightly ajar. I moved close enough to see through the gap.

Vanessa stood by the window, crying into her hands. Ethan was behind her, less than an arm's length away.

I'd always joked about how aloof he was. Even on outings with the three of us, he kept his distance from her.

Now all she had to do was turn and lean back, and she'd be against him.

“What do I know?” She turned to face him. “That I can't fall in love with you? That you can't cheat on her? We've already done it, Ethan.”

He swallowed and lowered his eyes.

I leaned against the wall. The dress felt too heavy around my ribs.

He raised his hand. I thought he was going to wipe her face.

Instead, his fingers passed her cheek and caught the thin strap of her top. He eased it back onto her shoulder. His knuckles brushed her bare skin as he drew his hand away.

“It slipped.”

Vanessa looked up at him. A tear fell onto the back of his hand.

“You're awful, you know that? You even need an excuse to touch me.”

His fingers curled.

I dug my nails into my palm, then pushed the door open.

They both turned.

Vanessa hadn't had time to wipe her tears away. She stared at me, then managed a smile.

“Claire. You look beautiful.”

Ethan's hand was already in his pocket.

“You do,” he said.

He came over to straighten the tulle at my neckline. He was careful with it, concentrating on every fold.

Vanessa looked away.

“Well, I got to see you in your dress.” She smiled so hard it looked painful. “There's a meeting at work. I should go.”

Ethan's hand stopped on my shoulder.

“It's still raining.”

“I'll get a cab.”

She left before either of us said anything else.

In the mirror, I could see Ethan looking toward the door. He shifted his hand in his pocket, then looked back at me.

“Go take her,” I said.

His eyes met mine in the glass.

“Go on. She's my best friend.”

I'd said things like that to him so many times. I tried to make the words sound as ordinary as they used to.

He studied my face. Then he nodded and went after her.

I watched him disappear through the door. In the mirror, I was left standing in my wedding dress alone.

I took out my phone.

POST UPDATE:

“He came after me.”

“He didn't say anything. He pressed me against the car in the rain and kissed me. Hard.”

“I don't know if he was punishing me or finally giving in.”

I closed the post.

The manager knocked and came into the suite.

“Ms. Bennett? Would you like to try the veil?”

“No.” My voice was steady. “I don't want the dress.”

I looked at myself in the mirror one last time.

“And I'm not marrying Ethan.”