Chapter 3

I didn't move.

He crossed the room and pulled me into his side.

"Weren't you just curled up against me before? Now you're shy?"

He dropped his voice next to my ear.

"Let's take everyone to dinner. I'll explain the thing later. It's not what it looked like. Trust me. Say something — everyone's waiting."

Sure. Everyone's waiting.

Or maybe the person hiding was the one who'd been waiting longest.

Ten years together. Liam knew exactly how to handle me.

Every time he and Chloe crossed a line and called it friendship, I had let it go.

I had believed every excuse, every single time.

But he didn't know: the moment I found out he had stood me up six times — for her — I stopped wanting to marry him.

I didn’t want to expose the truth. I wanted to see them suffer the results of their own actions.

I stepped out of his arms. Slowly, I turned to face the crowd.

"It really was just a misunderstanding. We got a little carried away before you all arrived — sorry about that."

"Mom, Dad and Liam’s parents."

"Since everyone came all this way, why don’t we just cook at home?"

"Absolutely not."

Liam and his parents refused at the same moment.

Liam's mother recovered first.

"The fridge is empty. It's already late. A restaurant is easier for everyone."

"Exactly. Let's not keep standing around."

"Come on, Ava."

All three of them knew.

The master bathroom had a hidden door.

They wanted everyone out so Chloe could slip away.

Not happening.

I ignored the three pairs of Carter eyes and dropped onto the sofa.

"We've all been on our feet all day. Nobody wants to drive across town now."

"I’ve already ordered the groceries. They’ll be here in twenty minutes."

"No Smoked ham for anyone? Marcus — still nothing spicy? Already noted."

The Carters sat down. They had no choice.

In the kitchen, Liam found me and lowered his voice.

"Ava. Did you get my text? I was trying to surprise you. It went sideways."

I looked up like I hadn't heard anything.

"What text? I never checked my phone — I've been setting up all day."

I reached for my pocket. He caught my wrist.

"Forget it. The wedding is still on. Tomorrow you're officially my wife."

I pulled free and went back to the living room.

By the time the groceries arrived, everyone was already busy in the kitchen.

The master bedroom was left to the two of us.

I stared at the bedding. It was a mess — rumpled, disheveled. The air still carried the faint scent of sex.

Liam's eyes darted around nervously. He rushed over and yanked the entire set — duvet, sheets, all of it — onto the floor.

"It's been sitting empty. I don't want dust."

He pulled a fresh set from the closet.

"Sit down. I'll do it. You've carried all of this alone — I see that."

"Once I make the All-Star roster I'll push for a home trade. We'll have the life you always wanted. I promise."

I stopped listening and reached for the handle of the hidden bathroom door.

He grabbed me from behind.

"Wait —"