“Well, it took a few years,” I say, hoping this sounds believable as I peel off my sundress.
“Girl, you know he’s been slightly obsessed with you since high school.” I freeze inside the dressing room. This is news to me. I always thought I was just the third wheel with him and Eli. “I thought it would happen sooner, actually.”
“Really?” I answer, hiding the hope in my voice.
“Well, when I asked him why he hadn’t asked you out, he told me you two had history. He wouldn’t tell me what.”
Her door opens, but I stay in my dressing room so she won’t see the guilt plastered on my face. I can’t admit that her accident caused our breakup.
“Whatever happened, I’m glad you two worked it out,” Carmen says brightly. “The past is in the past, right?”
“Yeah,” I say weakly behind my door, though I can’t shake the feeling that the past is still haunting me. “Hey, do you know anything about that flower tattoo on Brendan’s arm?”
“Yeah, why?”
“What does it say?” I try to sound casual.
“It’s the date of my accident,” she answers. “He got it while he was in the Marines. I guess he wanted to remember me while I was still recovering.”
Oh.In honor of his sister. That makes sense. But it still doesn’t explain why he didn’t want to tell me.
I walk out of my dressing room, tightening the knot on myrobe. “It’s sweet that he didn’t want to forget you while he was gone.”
“Yeah,” she says, her brow knitting, like she’s trying to remember the details. “I barely recall that time, but I guess he was really upset. I think he blamed himself for the accident, which is ridiculous, because I never did.”
I don’t respond, even though I know why—because he was with me instead of her.
We head to our massages, and afterward, I’m directed to change into my swimsuit for the hot-tub soak. I slip into a dressing room and start taking off my robe when I hear Carmen and Elana’s daughter, Taylor, enter.
They’re talking in low voices, oblivious to the fact that I’m there too.
“I just don’t understand why he’s dating her,” Taylor says in a hushed whisper.
I freeze, my hands stilling on the ties of my swimsuit.
“Have you actually talked to Scarlett?” Carmen sounds defensive, and it makes me feel better that she’s on my side. “I think you’d really like her.”
“Well, Uncle Rafael doesn’t.”
What the?—
My blood runs cold. I stay quiet, barely breathing as I hide behind the changing room door.
“Uncle Raf always acts that way around new people,” Carmen says. “I’m sure when he gets to know her better?—”
“No.” Taylor cuts her off. “He told me himself that she’s not good enough for Brendan. I mean, she might benice, but it’s not like she’s one of us.”
One of us.
The phrase echoes in my head, confirming every doubt I’ve tried to suppress since this whole thing started.
“Taylor, stop.” Carmen’s voice has an irritated edge to it. “I like Scarlett. And I don’t even know what you mean when you say she’s not one of us.”
Taylor sighs like she’s explaining something obvious to a child. “She doesn’t have the same upbringing. She didn’t go to private school, hasn’t traveled the world. And then there’s her brother, who’s a complete loser.”
“Eli is not a loser,” Carmen snaps. “Their family is going through a lot right now.”
“Well, we wouldn’t wantthatto rub off on us,” she mutters.