Page 15 of Burned By the Broken Doctor

I’ve dated a few times, but it all came to nothing. The most disappointing experience was my weekend tryst with a douchebag like Liam Miller.

June clears her throat and looks at me over the top of the book. “Where did your mind go just now?”

“I’m right here,” I say quickly.

June pats the couch beside her. “Come check this out. Did you know Madam Alistair’s husband once had a head full of hair?”

I laugh and join her on the couch. As we turn the page, a black-and-white photo catches my eye. It's a small wedding, the bride and groom standing awkwardly in front of a simple backdrop. The groom, sporting a full head of dark hair that time hasn't yet touched with gray, holds a nervous smile on his face.

“Hey, isn't that Madam Alistair?” June asks, her brow furrowed in concentration. “And…wait a minute, isn't that Mr. Alistair with hair?”

I chuckle, the memory surfacing. Madam Alistair, the town's resident eccentric and self-proclaimed champion of proper etiquette, is known for her short, silver hair and stern demeanor. It's hard to imagine her younger self, let alone married.

“Yep,” I confirm, then I point to the next image. “And that’s Mrs. Bellamy and her husband.”

“Hmm,” June hums, her gaze lingering on the photo. “Interesting. Didn't know she was ever married.”

“Small town secret,” I say with a wink. “Apparently, they met in college, got married young, and then… Well, let's just say it didn't work out.”

We continue to flip through the album, a comfortable silence settling between us. We laugh and comment on the various styles and moments captured in the photos. One picture shows a wedding where the groom has no best man, and I remark, “See, you don’t always need a best man for a wedding.”

Suddenly, June slams the book shut, the sharp sound jolting me out of my reverie.

“Emma,” she says, her voice serious, “Do you have a problem with Liam being Damon's best man?”

My breath hitches. The question, so blunt and unexpected, catches me off guard.

“Not really,” I stammer, unsure of how to respond.

“You don't get to shrug that off, Em,” June presses, her brow furrowed. “This is me and Damon’s wedding. Your feelings are important.”

“I know that,” I say defensively, the anger from the morning bubbling back up to the surface. “It's just… I don’t trust him.”

“Liam?” June echoes, her voice laced with suspicion. “Why don’t you trust him?”

I hesitate, torn between wanting to confide in June and the urge to keep my past with Liam a secret.

“Before I met him, Damon used to tell me that someone hurt Liam in the past, and he doesn’t believe in love. Now that I’ve met him, it’s confirmed.”

“That’s it?” June asks, her voice skeptical.

A wave of guilt washes over me. Here's June, my best friend, excited about her upcoming wedding, and I'm keeping secrets that could potentially cast a shadow over it.

“June, I think he doesn’t want this wedding. What kind of a best man doesn’t want the groom’s wedding? I’m afraid he’ll do something.”

“Alright,” June sighs, sinking deeper into the couch. “Then you win him over, Em…”

“What?” My jaw drops.

“Win him over, girl. You’re the perfect antidote to his problem. You can win him over.”

I shake my head. “I don’t think it’s that simple.”

“What’s not simple?” Damon strides into the room, his eyes darting between June and me, concern etched on his face. “What’s going on, Em? You look like you just lost a dollar and found a dime.”

“A dime’s better than what the task June just dropped on me.”

He looks at June, who shrugs. “She’s talking about your buddy Liam. Apparently, our wedding partners don’t see eye to eye.”

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