Page 84 of The Accidental Honeymoon

"Considering that they seem fine now, maybe it’s not as bad as you think," Calla says. "And Ryan isn’t dating Wren. They’re just friends, right?"

"I don’t know if I would say that Ryan and Wren arefriendly. I’m more worried that Wren needs me to stand up for her. You know what? I’m going to say something to Ryan. He can’t put his hands on her like that.”

"Jay." She waits until I fully meet her eyes. "I don’t think that’s what’s happening here. Wren is a big girl. She can handle herself."

Calla has this special ability to challenge me and make it seem like she’s still on my side. I’m not sure how that’s possible, but it is. I like that about her.

I take a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Yeah. You’re right."

I look back at Wren, who’s pretending to polish a glass while eavesdropping on the group. Calla would approve of her nosiness, I think.

The afternoon wears on, and the food diminishes to a collection of greasy platters. Just like at the parade, she fits in well. I don’t know why I keep expecting she won’t. Maybe I’m just really invested in the most important people in my life getting along. I try to relax, but I can’t seem to letthe Wren situation go. I would be a bad big brother if I didn’t check in on my little sister.

"Excuse me," I say to Calla, standing. "I’ll be right back."

I find Wren in the kitchen, stacking dirty dishes. "Hey," I say.

She jumps. “Jesus, Jay. We’re going to have to put a bell on you.”

“Very funny. Always with the jokes.” I soften my tone. "Can we talk?"

“What’s up?” She crosses her arms, waiting.

I rub the back of my neck, unsure how to start. "Is Ryan bullying you?”

“Yes.” Wren’s response is so quick that I’m taken aback by it. She holds her hand up to forestall my questions. “It’s fine. It’s more of the same. He’s just being a dick. Nothing that crosses a line, though. Nothing inappropriate.”

“Okay, because I saw him put his hands on you out there. That is extremely not cool.”

“I told you, it’s fine. We’ve always had this combative relationship.” Wren shrugs. “I don’t want you to stick your nose into it and make things weird for me. Just watch. Ryan will get a girlfriend again and be on his best behavior for a while.”

“Yeah, until he dumps Ms. Perfect for having nail beds that are too short or not liking Faulkner enough. I would call him shallow, but I think he just gets bored easily.”

“As much as I would love to chat about that douchebag some more….” My sister stacks a bus tub full of dishes and lifts it. “Some of us have to work for a living.”

“Love you!” I call as she breezes through the swinging doors.

She merely says, “Yeah. You too,” without looking back.

I rejoin the table, and Calla looks at me expectantly. Ijust shrug. "We should get going," I tell her. "It’s getting late."

She nods, and we make our goodbyes. Ryan pulls me into a hug. I pat his back, wondering if he has any idea about the storm I’ve just tried to quell.

Do I need to worry about my best friend bullying my little sister?

Outside, the air has cooled. Calla wraps her arms around herself. I put an arm over her shoulder, pulling her close. "You okay?" she asks.

"Yeah," I lie. "Just tired."

The sounds of the town on a weeknight absorb me as we cross the square. Calla stops and turns to me. "Are you going to feel bad when you have to tell them?"

"Tell them what?"

"That your marriage is fake."

I look back at the silhouettes of my friends through the distant window. The question makes my blood run cold. Not only do I not want my friends to think that I’m a liar… but I don’t want Calla to leave.

I want her to be in my life. I want her to be my wife, for real this time.

---