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Except it wasn’t a lie when I said a part of me would always love her. I didn’t think she’d punch me for it, but if it was any indication of how she feels, it’s not the same. We’ve always been on two different wavelengths.

Thalia will always be the one who got away, and it’s too late to change that. The only thing that would change everything was if I had a time machine that could take me back to the night I proposed to tell myself to stay and hear Thalia when she saidnot right now.

Those three words will haunt me for the rest of my life.

I’m getting married. My wedding is in fifty-two days.

I love Kiera and I want a life with her. I want to be with her.

Maybe if I say it enough, I’ll eventually convince myself.

CHAPTER TEN

Thalia

MY TRIP TO Colorado did absolutely nothing to make me feel better about everything. Lucky for me, I’ve gotten really good at putting a smile on my face when it comes to all things related to Sebastian.

I learned I wasn’t the only one who took a trip to get out of town. Blake told me Owen said Sebastian had gone to Greensboro for a few days. I guess she went out with Kiera and her best friend for drinks, and Kiera was still pretty upset with him.

Not even Sebastian could dim the smile on my face tonight, though.

My parents are in town, and there’s a huge turnout for the gallery opening tonight. I have already sold numerous portraits, and tonight couldn’t be more perfect.

“If you have any pictures in your portfolio that we could use for this article, I’d love if you could send them to me. We’re trying to bring light to some of the more impoverished areas in Africa that are in desperate need of fresh drinking water,” Mia says with a smile as she sips her flute of champagne. Mia is part of the photography department withTIME, and I almost didn’t believe her when she said she was flying down for this.

I notice Eric walking toward me over Mia’s shoulder, and I smile, trying not to let myself be distracted as I answer her question. “I might have something perfect for that. I’ll have to look, but I’m sure I can find something that hasn’t already been copyrighted by someone else.” I turn to look up at Eric as he stands by my side, looking good in his button-down and slacks. My heart quickens in my chest, and then I realize they’re both waiting for an introduction. “Mia, this is Eric.”

He smiles kindly at her and offers Mia his hand. “Nice to meet you, Mia.”

“You as well. Congratulations on tonight, Thalia. I’m glad you decided to open this place; it is truly incredible seeing all your work displayed in the same room,” she says warmly. I resist the urge to do another happy dance after she walks away.

“She’s right, tonight is incredible. You’re great at what you do,” Eric says, stepping in front of me, leaning down to brush his lips over my cheek.

“I’m really glad you came with me tonight. Thank you.”

“Thank you for inviting me. I’m happy to be here for you.”

I smile brightly at Eric, my cheeks protesting at the movement since I’ve been smiling all night. “Tonight is going better than I dreamed it would. I knew that some of my contacts were coming, but I didn’t think this many would come.”

“Of course they came, Thalia. You have such an impact on everyone you meet, I’m not surprised at all.”

Blake approaches, my brother glued to her hip. Her eyes are wide in amazement as she looks around. “Lia, this is amazing. Would it be bad if I bought them all to decorate our house?”

“I mean, if you wanted to, that’d be awesome, but I actually have a present for you,” I say with a warm smile, untangling myself from Eric.

“But this is your night? Why am I getting a present?”

“Don’t question it, just go with it, dear,” Owen says with a short chuckle, nudging Blake toward me.

I squint at him with surprise. “Did you just call her dear?” What is he? Sixty?

“Well she is my wife, so yes, I did just call her dear.” Owen looks at me funny and I roll my eyes. I have never been able to understand my brother so I don’t know why I’m trying to tonight. “Good luck, Eric, take notes. Apparently, Thalia doesn’t like pet names.”

“Whatever, Owen.” I scoff, turning my attention to the portrait I had framed from their wedding photos. I purposefully never showed it to her because I always intended to gift it to them. It was after everyone had left and I walked back into the building where the reception was held to help clean up, but I found Blake and Owen slow dancing without any music. In the photo, Owen is looking at Blake like she’s the only thing in the world that exists. “That is for you,” I motion toward where it’s hanging on the wall. “A thank-you for everything you’ve done to help me get all this ready. You’re a good friend, B.”

She gasps at the sight of the photo, tears filling her eyes. “Lia, this is too much,” she stammers, blinking rapidly to keep her tears at bay.

“It’s really not. I appreciate you putting up with Owen. I’ve never seen him happier than when he’s with you,” I say, and Blake throws herself at me, hugging me tightly.

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