Page 13 of Healing Bonds

“Right.” I rolled my eyes. We both giggled and kept up the light banter until the ladies finally finished our nails. We quickly paid and tipped them before getting in my car and heading to our favorite restaurant for lunch.

After stuffing ourselves with two big cheeseburgers, we lounged against the comfy booth to give our food a little time to digest. Amber suddenly broke the silence with a laugh. “I’m going to have to start watching what I eat for the wedding.” She paused, her eyes widening. “I’m getting married, Celine. Me! I’m going to be getting married to yourbrother.”

I snorted. “You just realized?” She laughed, using the black satin napkin on the table to wipe away her smeared, red lip gloss.

“I’ve wanted to marry him for years, you know that, but fuck, it’s finally happening, andwehave so much to plan!” she exclaimed, looking slightly overwhelmed.

“Since when did this become awe?” I asked, pointing between the two of us, trying to lighten the mood again. If she got overwhelmed and had an anxiety attack because of it, I wanted to do my best to keep her as calm as possible.

She narrowed her green eyes at me. “Sinceweplanned your wedding, I fully expect the same.” Laughing, I took a quick sip ofthe bubbly cola on the table and remembered that I hadn’t asked what her twin had to say about the sudden engagement.

“I bet Alissa was excited when you told her. What did she say?” Amber suddenly avoided my gaze, picking up a stray fry and shoving it in her mouth, even though I knew she was so full. She was about to burst.

“I haven’t told her,” she mumbled a moment later.

I frowned. “What? Why not? She’s your twin!” I exclaimed.

“We haven’t spoken in a few months.”That was news to me.

“What about Jamie and Mia?” She shook her head. “Your mom?” She looked down at her lap. “When did you stop talking to your entire family?” I demanded. This was so unlike her. I didn’t understand it. Family meant everything to Amber.

“A few months ago.” She shrugged, though I could tell she was bothered by everything. “They wanted me to move back home and stay there until Ryan came home. Actually, they wanted me to break up with him because they were tired of me always being alone.” I scoffed. She wasn’t alone. Even while he was gone, she still had us. “We had a huge fight because I wanted to stay here and wait for him. They just didn’t understand why I wanted to stay—refused to leave, actually—so I haven’t answered a phone call from any of them.” Anger flared in her features as she stiffened.

“Does Ryan know?” She shook her head, her red curls covering her freckled cheeks. “What are you going to do now?” I asked her, my voice softening.

She shrugged, signaling our server over, ending the conversation. “I have no fucking idea. They won’t give us their blessing, though. That’s for sure.”

My heart broke for her.

Chapter Five

AMBER

Celine questioned me for a few minutes about why I’d stopped speaking with my family, and the whole time, I just couldn’t figure out how to tell her it was because of Ryan. When I skirted around the idea, she came up with a whole plan to convince them that Ryan was the right man for me.

I didn’t need my parents’ blessing to know he was everything I would ever need. He was my best friend. He was myperson—the only person I needed, really.

Nevertheless, we sat in her car, listening to the loud ringing echoing from my phone speaker as we waited for Alissa to answer. Eventually, she did, and my stomach dipped. Her breathing was ragged, and instantly, I knew she was at the gym. She’d been addicted to exercising since our senior year in high school. “I was wondering,” she panted, “when you would call, sis.” Her deep breaths echoed in the SUV.

“You sound busy. Maybe I should call back?” I really didn’t want to do this right now—I wasn’t sure if Icoulddeal with it. Only Alissa could make my heart race in fear. Her tongue lashed out quicker than a scorpion could sting.

“No, no, let’s hear what made you finally call me after… what,” she paused, sucking in a deep breath, “is it three or four months this time?” I cringed.

“Nice to hear you haven’t lost your sarcastic touch, Ali,” I retorted, keeping up a brave front. I could practically see her roll her giant green eyes—a shade darker than mine—in my mind.

“Did you call just to be a bitch, or was there a purpose to this giant waste of my time?” I glanced at Celine, watching her blue eyes widen in shock at my sister’s bluntness.

“I’m getting married.” Silence rang on the other end of the line, and my stomach knotted so much, I thought I was going to be sick.

“Well, I’ll be damned,” Ali finally said. “The heartbreaker finally met her fucking match. Wait… unless you’re engaged to that pathetic soldier. What was his name?”

“Listen here, bitch,” Celine snapped, fury coloring her cheeks, “my brother is a fine man, and I don’t know what stick you shoved up your ass, Alissa, but pull it the fuck back out and stop being a bitch. This isn’t like you.” Celine’s eyes flashed with rage. Her hands shook around the steering wheel as she clutched it tightly. I swallowed thickly. This was what I’d wanted to avoid. My family didn’t like Ryan.

“Hey, Cece! Nice to hear you’re still a bitch, too,” Ali chirped, and I thought back to when the two met for the first time a few years ago. There had been some hostility, but they got along—at least, I thought they did.

Alissa had become cold in the last year after she realized her boyfriend didn’t love her, and she had taken her rage out on everyone around her. But I knew this was going to be a fight—one I couldn’t avoid. And I refused to give up Ryan.

“Ali, stop. Don’t take it out on Celine. It’s not our fault that Dylan turned out to be a real asshat. You should come visit, stay with me for a few weeks. You can help me plan.”

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