Page 126 of One Touch

I took a long slug of my drink, determined not to let my feelings show. I couldn’t help but think about Mom, though. She’d died giving birth to us triplets. Dad had to raise us alone and had only taken Susie into his life much later, after we had grown up. He hadn’t married her, and I had always assumed that was because he wanted to keep some kind of emotional distance from her. A layer of protection. As he looked at her now, though, I could see the depth of his love. And her love, too, shining right back at him.

Lily was up next. She told a few anecdotes about cute things she and Elara had done to try to attract boys at school. Then she recounted a story about Cole falling off a ladder after seeing Elara naked for the first time. Obviously, as she told that story, I thought about the time I’d seen Lily naked in the shower, and in spite of myself, I grew inconveniently aroused.

Finally, Lily made everyone laugh as she recounted the plot of a romance novel she’d sold to the happy couple to try to hurry along their romance. The story of a single dad builder and a younger female baker, apparently. The plot was far-fetched and had us all in stitches. “That book wasn’t real, though,” Lily said, pausing a moment as she locked eyes with me. “But true love stories, like Cole and Elara’s, are the ones that stay withus forever.” She raised her glass, looking back at the bride and groom. “Here’s to their happily ever after.”

I raised my glass, but I felt like I’d been punched in the gut. Had Lily just confessed in front of everyone that she believed in love again?

As I headed to the front of the marquee, my heart pounded.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” I began, “for those of you who don’t know me, I’m Ethan—Cole’s triplet. Although I’m afraid I’m not the famous one.” Everyone laughed and looked at Jack.

“Guilty as charged,” Jack called out with a cocky grin.

“Plus,” I continued, “I’m not exactly the romantic type. So, when Cole first asked me to be his best man, I told him he’d be better off asking one of his power tools to give the speech. At least a drill knows how to make an impact.” More laughter. “Cole, Jack, and I grew up side by side, along with our sister, Ida, and we saw him through every phase of his life. From the boy who insisted on ‘improving’ dad’s kitchen appliances by taking them to pieces with an old screwdriver, to the man who can build a home with his bare hands. But I’ve never seen him as happy, as whole, as he is with Elara.” There were some awws and claps.

“Elara, you haven’t just married my brother today. You’ve given new life to our entire family. The way you’ve embraced Lexi and Rhea, the warmth you’ve brought into all our lives—it’s like you’ve always been a part of us.” I paused for a moment, feeling the emotion well up in me. “Love, I’ve learned, isn’t always easy. It can be scary, and unpredictable, and sometimes it feels safer to keep your heart under lock and key. But when it does work out, like for Cole and El, it’s the most beautiful thing in the world. Cole, you’ve actually become—and I can’t believe I’m going to say this—bearable to be around.”

The crowd chuckled. I was about to launch into the story of how I bet Cole he’d fall in love with Elara when they first got together, but as I spoke, my eyes drifted to where Lily sat withAva. They were watching me intently, Lily’s arm draped casually over my daughter’s shoulders. They looked so comfortable together. So happy. It was beautiful and it was real.

Love was worth the risk. Real love was always worth the risk.

“And, uh . . .” I stumbled, struggling to remember where I was going. “And that’s why . . . I, uh. . . .”

Lily gave me an encouraging smile. I swallowed hard.

“Anyway, here’s to the happy couple.”

As everyone clinked glasses and drank, I felt a cold sweat break out on the back of my neck. The room suddenly felt too small, too crowded.

I rushed out of the marquee, taking great big gulps of ocean air. And yet, still, I couldn’t breathe.

***

Back in the marquee, I heard a familiar voice slurring next to me. “Whoa, bro. You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

Jack, my younger brother, swayed slightly as he clutched a half-empty glass of champagne. His reddish-brown hair was mussed, his tie was loosened.

“Jack,” I nodded, grateful for the distraction. “Enjoying the open bar, I see.”

He grinned, raising his glass. “When in Rome, right? Or . . . when at a wedding, I guess. We aren’t allowed to drink during the season, so I thought I better make the most of the opportunity.” He chuckled, and then his expression turned serious. “Can you believe Cole actually went through with it?”

I frowned. “Of course. Why wouldn’t he?”

Jack leaned in conspiratorially. “Marriage, man. It’s a fucking trap. One minute you’re living the dream, the next you’re tied down with a mortgage and a house full of screaming kids. Your whole identity, gone in an instant.”

I felt a twinge of annoyance. “Cole’s happy, Jack. Not everyone wants to live just for themselves. Besides, married life isn’t a safe bet. Look at me. Hell, look at Cole. We’re all just doing our goddamn best to find happiness.”

“Sure, sure,” he waved his hand dismissively. “But let’s be real. How long before the honeymoon phase wears off and they’re at each other’s throats?”

“Sorry, but what experience do you have of relationships?”

“Plenty.”

“One-night stands don’t count.”

“In that case basically none.” He gave me a shit-eating grin. “But what I’m saying still stands. Marriage still fucks things up.” He sipped his beer. “Just look at your situation.”

“Excuse me? My . . . situation?”

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