Page 24 of Three Grumpy Groomsmen

That makes her laugh. “Oh God. I can’t even imagine. I was an only child until I was thirteen. Then my mom popped up pregnant with my sister and I cannot even tell you how devastating that was for me.”

I follow her into the room and set the bag on the dinette table. “Wow, that would be a life change after being an only child for so long.”

“Not just that, it was also really embarrassing to be in middle school and have a pregnant mom. No one at that age wants to think that their parents have S-E-X.”

I grin at her. “No. I guess not. How was it after your sister was born?”

Ivy goes over to the dresser and retrieves two bottles of water. “Oh, after she came, it was amazing. She was my little baby doll, and I loved playing with her, feeding her, dressing her. I like to think we’re as close as can be, considering I left for college when she was only four. Are you close to your sisters?”

“As close as you can be when they’re triplets and you’re the older brother.” I open the bag and pull out the two boxes and a foil bag filled with silverware and butter packets.

“Triplets? Your poor parents.” Ivy pops open one of the boxes. “Oh, this looks yummy.”

“Yep, triplets. Frannie and Fiona are identical twins and then there’s Finley, who is at law school at Clemson. Frannie and Fiona live in Honeysuckle Harbor and work at our restaurant. They’re both pastry chefs. They definitely have the twin connection.”

“Oh, I met them then at the holiday party! I had no idea they were your sisters.”

I nod, placing a napkin down for her. That party had been pure torture for me. I had watched Brad parading her around the room, introducing her to everyone, peppering kisses all over her at random intervals. He’d shown me the engagement ring he was planning to give her on their upcoming trip to Santa Barbara.

The ring that has been tucked in my pocket since she shoved it at me.

It was also the only time that Ivy had been in Honeysuckle Harbor and somehow we’d both wound up on the back deck of the restaurant, staring out at the water and casually chatting. I think it was the only time I’d ever been alone with Ivy until now, and I had wanted things I knew I could never have.

Now we’re alone again, and there is no Brad in the picture.

But still, the timing is all wrong.

“So…have you talked to Brad?” I ask, since he’s the damn elephant in the room.

I pull out a chair for her and she looks a little startled, but does sit down. “No. I blocked his number, though, so I have no idea if he’s tried to text or call me. But I can’t even imagine what he could possibly say and I feel like any way he tries to explain it is just going to make me feel worse.”

“I’m sorry.” It’s not enough, but it is sincere.

I sit down across from her.

Ivy shrugs and opens a butter packet. She spreads it liberally on the dinner roll in the takeout box. “Thank you. But it’s weird. I feel like I should be more upset than I am. I’m angry. I’m embarrassed. I’m questioning everything about the last year of my life. But I’m not devastated. My heart isn’t broken and I think that’s very telling. I should be in a puddle on the floor, don’t you think?”

“I think everyone handles tough situations differently. But I’m glad you’re not crying on the floor. That would breakmyheart.” I cut my steak and take a bite. “This isn’t bad.”

She laughs a little. “You were expecting it would be?”

I shrug, a little embarrassed. “I’ve become a food snob. I can’t deny it.”

“Because Brad’s an incredible chef.” She doesn’t pose it as a question. We both know it’s a fact.

“He is. But he’s also a dick.”

“Yes, he is.” Ivy lifts a water bottle. “A toast. To the universe stopping me from marrying the wrong man.”

I’ll definitely toast to that. I raise my own water bottle. “To new beginnings.”

“To getting there without Liam and Harrison strangling each other.”

“To fast cars and a hot real estate market.”

“Yes. To a quick sale of the house I’ve never even seen because Brad bought it without talking to me about it.”

I wince. What a prick. I feel worse and worse about being friends with him. “Yes. Definitely toast to that.”

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