Page 41 of It's Only Ever Been You

She shrugs, her shoulders tight. “It’s nothing. Forget I said anything.”

But it’s not nothing. The way she’s avoiding my eyes, the faint blush creeping up her neck—it’s everything.

“You like him, don’t you?” I say softly, the realization hitting me like a ton of bricks.

Her head jerks up, her eyes wide with something between panic and denial. “What? No. Jace and I are just friends. That’s all.”

But I’ve known Sarah long enough to spot her tells. The way she fidgets with the hem of her sweater, the way her voice wavers just slightly—she’s lying.

“Sarah…” I start, but she cuts me off with a wave of her hand.

“Don’t. It doesn’t matter, okay? He’s getting married. End of story.”

I want to press her, tell her that it does matter, but the look on her face stops me. It’s a mix of frustration and heartbreak,and I know better than to push when she gets this way.

Instead, I nod slowly. “Okay. But you’re still coming with me, right?”

She hesitates, her teeth worrying at her bottom lip. “You really want me to go?”

“Of course I do,” I say firmly. “I mean, I’m going to need someone to keep me sane with all the small talk and awkward dances. Plus, you’re my best friend. Who else would I bring?”

That earns me a small smile, though it doesn’t quite reach her eyes. “Alright, fine. I’ll go.”

“Good,” I say, trying to lighten the mood. “But I’m picking the playlist for the road trip. I’m not listening to another one of your true crime podcasts on the way there.”

She rolls her eyes, but the tightness in her shoulders seems to ease, even if only slightly.

As the evening wears on, Sarah seems to relax, laughing at my terrible attempts at organizing my closet and making fun of the questionable snacks I find at the back of my pantry. But every now and then, I catch her staring off into the distance, her expression unreadable.

And I know, no matter how much she tries to hide it, there’s a part of her that’s breaking at the thought of seeing Jace marry someone else.

……………………………………………………………

The smell of freshly brewed coffee fills my kitchen as I pour a second cup, the sound of Sarah’s laughter echoing from the living room. She’s sprawled out on the couch, scrolling through her phone with a blanket wrapped around her legs, looking like she belongs there. It’s been nice having her here since she moved back. Comfortable, even.

“You’re really going to make me wait all morning to hear the details?” she calls, lifting an eyebrow as I walk back in and hand her the cup.

I roll my eyes, sitting cross-legged on the chair across from her. “Details about what?”

“Oh, I don’t know.” She taps her chin dramatically. “Maybe because you’ve been suspiciously quiet about a certain someone possibly being there.”

I let out a soft laugh, shaking my head. “What’s there to say? It’s Sierra and Jace’s wedding. They’re tying the knot. Love, cake, dancing—the whole nine yards.”

Sarah tilts her head, giving me a knowing look. “Uh-huh. And yet, you’re dodging the obvious question.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Which is?”

Her eyes narrow, and her playful grin widens. “So, have you RSVP’d yet?”

“I don’t have to. I’m in the wedding,” I remind her, smirking. “The real question is—are you totally okay with going? Seeing Jace get married and all?”

Sarah freezes for a split second, her smile faltering before she recovers. “Of course,” she says lightly, but there’s something off about her tone. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

I raise an eyebrow, leaning forward. “I don’t know… maybe because you’ve been unusually quiet every time his name comes up?”

Sarah ignores this and instead, takes a sip of her coffee, the silence between us stretching just long enough to feel like a question. She avoids my gaze,fiddling with the edge of her sweater, and finally I clear my throat.

“So, again I just want to make sure you are still good to be my plus one?” I ask, changing the subject. “I mean, I just want to make sure you are comfortable. I love you and wouldn’t want to put you in that sort of predicament.”

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