“Surely, you have other options. Beautiful women who’d fit right into the Marco family. So why drag me into your drama?”
“Because—” I shove my hands into my pockets. She’d never fall for me after what happened between us. Our history makes that next to impossible. And now she’s looking at me like I’m the jerk who used her name as my wedding date without asking. “Youarethe only one who can do this.”
Her eyes narrow, but she doesn’t respond.
“My family loves you.”
They always have, even back when she used to show up at our beach house with Eli, sunburned and laughing as they camped out around the pool. She had a way of making me feel like the most interesting person, instead of invisible.
“And you’re Eli’s sister. We’ve always gotten along.”
I hate the words as soon as they leave my mouth.Gotten along?It sounds like we’re in middle school. I kissed her, for heaven’s sake. And I would’ve kissed her a thousand times more if she hadn’t walked away on the worst night of my life—when Carmen was in the hospital and my family was falling apart. I needed her, and she wasn’t there.
She shoots me a withering look. “So, what? Because of Eli and some history, I’m supposed to be your convenient stand-in for when you can’t be bothered to find a real date? Just to keep Laila and her annoying laugh away from you?”
“No, that’s not?—”
“I’ve heard enough.” She starts to turn away again, but I catch her elbow without thinking.
The contact sends electricity through my body, the way it does every time I touch her. It’s why I’ve learned to keep my distance.
She freezes, and the message on her face is clear. She doesn’t want this. Doesn’t wantmetouching her.
I drop my hand immediately, shoving it in my pocket again. “Scarlett, please. I haven’t ever asked for help.” I pause and shift on my feet. “Not even after what happened in high school with your brother.”
Her eyes widen. “You mean my brother’sstupidity?”
It wasn’t one of Eli’s finest moments and ended with me taking the fall for his stupid decision to bring a few beers to a high school party. I didn’t even drink that night. But the party got out of hand, and the cops needed someone to blame. Scarlett’s family couldn’t afford a lawyer, so I took responsibility for it. She’d been so grateful, almost stubborn about paying me back. When I told her I didn’t need anything, she promised me that if I ever needed a favor, she’d repay it in a heartbeat.
I haven’t forgotten. I just never thought it would take over a decade to cash it in.
She looks away, lost in thought. “You saved him from so much trouble.”
Eli’s always been a lovable screw-up. He means well right until the moment he messes everything up. I’ve watched Scarlett cover for him more times than she realizes. And I’ve done my share of covering too, for reasons I can’t tell her yet. I tried to help him out, and look where that got me. He won’t even talk to me now.
“Look, forget I asked.” I back away from her. “This was a stupid idea.”
A part of me hoped that maybe this wedding could restore something we lost a long time ago.
She stares at me for a few seconds. “I could ask one of my friends to help.”
“Scarlett…” I pinch the bridge of my nose. “I don’t want to go with anyone else. I want to go with you. And if it’s not you, then no one.”
Because the only woman I’d want on my arm for a week is the one woman I can’t have. And she can’t know that. If she sees it on my face or catches me watching her because I can’t stop myself, this whole arrangement falls apart. And after years of doing nothing, I’ll have earned exactly that.Nothing.
Her eyes snap to mine, and the questions swirl in her eyes.
“As friends,” I add quickly, backtracking. “I thought I could ask you for help. But I guess I was wrong.” I turn to head out the back door.
“Bren, wait—” She studies me for a long moment. “I’m just wondering, why’d you think I’d say yes? I mean, other than the chance to date the great Brendan Marco.”
Her sarcasm is rich.
She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. “I guess what I’m asking here is—what’s in it for me?”
“Name your terms.” I hate saying it so bluntly, but isn’t that exactly what we’re doing? A transaction with our own set of rules? We each have something to gain here—might as well not beat around the bush about it.
“Okay, then.” She swallows hard. “I’ll only attend the wedding and reception. Everything else is beyond the deal.”