The Truest Thing (Hart's Boardwalk 4)
“Then tell me what to do.” Jack clenched his jaw in self-directed anger. “Tell me how to fix this with her.”
“Answer one thing first.”
He nodded.
“Do you love her?”
Jack’s gut twisted. “Since that night I first saw her, Coop.”
At his raw honesty, Cooper grinned. “Then maybe Bails is right. I wouldn’t know how to write a letter, but if it was what it would’ve taken to get Jess, I’d have written a fucking letter.”
A love letter.
Jack exhaled slowly.
Right.
25
Emery
“You did what?” I gaped at Bailey in disbelief.
She was my first customer of the morning, popping by before the store was even open. Standing casually with a to-go cup in each hand, one for her and one for Dahlia, Bailey smiled at me like she had done nothing wrong.
“You invited Jack to your wedding?”
“I did.”
“And he said yes?”
“Of course, he said yes. It would be rude to say no.”
I felt a flicker of nausea and took a deep breath to stem the tide.
“Em, it’s not that bad. You’re a bridesmaid so you’ll hardly get the chance to interact with him.” Her eyes twinkled with mischief.
I narrowed my eyes. “Do you think I’m a moron? I know what you’re up to, Bails.”
“Moi?” She pointed innocently to herself, all wide-eyed and cute. “I’m merely making sure that everyone who deserves it feels welcome to attend our wedding.”
“D
eserves it?”
“We’re not overly persnickety. As long as you’re not a home-wrecking sociopath, a backstabbing sister, a murderer, or are currently in jail on federal charges, we’re pretty happy to extend an invitation.”
“So, no Dana, then?” I teased, despite my upset.
“Absolutely not. And she’s livid.” Bailey grinned wickedly. “The biggest wedding this town has seen in fifty years, and she didn’t get an invite. And no one blames me. They understand how awkward it would be for me to have my pregnant bridesmaid’s husband’s ex-wife at my wedding. So, I don’t even look like a bad person for not inviting her. I’m taking an enormous amount of petty satisfaction from the whole situation.”
Not as much as me. Dana Kellerman was not my favorite person. I chuckled wearily at Bailey’s naughty grin. “You’re awful.” But I said it like I thought the opposite.
My friend laughed. “Oh, come on, Em. Don’t worry about Jack. There will be plenty of other eligible bachelors to catch the eye. Vaughn has invited some friends he actually does like from his Manhattan life. A few are single, rich, and handsome.”
I rolled my eyes. The last thing I needed right now was to date. “I think I’ll pass for now.”
“Oh, no you won’t. You’re twenty-nine, Emery, and you’ve never had a serious relationship. Don’t you want to change that? And what would be more romantic than falling in love at your best friend’s wedding?”