Her Best Men

Besides, the path I was going down with the Trent Brothers would end my relationship with all of them. I would end up breaking the bond I’d developed with them ever since my childhood and I couldn’t have that on my conscience.

I’d never be able to live with myself, much less come home, knowing I could no longer experience the world with them.

“I’ll have lunch with you if you fly to me,” I said.

“Done,” he said. “I’ll meet you anywhere you want to tomorrow.”

“There’s a place in town called Village Diner. See you at noon.”

“See you then, butterfly.”

I cringed at his nickname for me as I hung up the phone. He always called me that when he knew he’d fucked up. I sighed as I laid down onto my bed, allowing my comforter to soak up the wetness sti

ll clinging to my body.

I had a feeling this was all going to go very wrong.

**

I ventured into town the next day and got us a table by the window. I sat down and ordered myself a cup of coffee, needing the energy after staying up half the night worrying about this meeting. I closed my eyes and took deep breaths, trying to calm my body while it vibrated with nerves.

But the moment I looked up and saw Landon looking down his nose at everything around him, I knew I’d made a serious mistake.

“Kyra! There you are.”

He came over to me and kissed my cheek, his hand warm on the small of my back. He slid into the booth and smiled while absent-mindedly wiping down the table in front of him. He was trying to be nice while being the absolute pompous windbag I knew him to be and all I wanted was for this conversation to be over.

“You look beautiful,” he said, smiling. “And rested.”

“I feel that way, thank you.”

“The mountains here are gorgeous. I can see why you enjoy this place.”

“I always tried to get you to come here,” I said.

“And I’m sorry I didn’t do it sooner. Really, butterfly.”

He reached across the table and took my hand and, for a split second, I was thrown back to a different time. A time before we were engaged where he was sweet like this all the time. Complimenting me and holding my hand during dinners. Playing footsie with me underneath the table and placing light kisses on top of my skin.

His thumb began tracing patterns against my hand and I allowed myself to get lost in the ministrations.

“I’ve picked a date,” he said.

“For what?” I asked.

“Our wedding.”

I felt myself freeze as my eyes connected with his.

“What?” I asked.

“Yeah. I picked a date for us and my parents are so excited about planning the wedding.”

“But we aren’t engaged,” I said.

“Kyra, I know we’ve had our differences. But all couples do. I heard you that night when you said you didn’t think I was serious about getting married. That I was making fun of your profession and making you feel terrible about yourself. I should've never accused you of taking my money because you’ve never been that way. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you or worrying about you since that fight.”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing.