Page 8 of Take Me to the Wedding

“And now Lilly doesn’t trust me,” Caleb said. “She broke off with her boyfriend a few months ago. I finally have another chance with her, and now it’s blown—because of you.”

All the blood left my head. I got so weak-kneed I had to back up and lean on my grandma’s little book stand for support.

I’d been so upset. So appalled at what he’d done to me. When I’d heard what he’d done to Nora, I guess I’d just lost it—I’d told Stacey everything.

I felt terrible. Also, how was I going to tell Mia what I’d done? Because this would upset her too.

Anger had disconnected my stupid mouth from my brain.

Stacey knew Lilly? How was that even possible?

And Lilly was the love of his frickinglife?

Ugh. No matter how terrible Caleb was, Oma didn’t raise me to be a vengeful person. And I wasn’t a gossip. And I especially wasn’t one of those people who ruined someone’s chances at love.

In my family, that was a mortal sin.

My last name,Bashar, means bringer of glad tidings, of love. Oma was a matchmaker. She’d proudly matched over one hundred couples in her lifetime.

I thought that maybe I’d inherited her gift too. Which sounds strange, but I had a special sense about couples who were meant to be together. So far, I’d predicted five marriages among my friends. Five, including Mia, who’d been dating our colleague Brax since last Christmas and wasn’t engaged yet, but honestly, those two were a perfect match.

“I don’t care what you think of me.” Caleb leaned in very close, his eyes glinting with anger, “Just know this: I. Am. Not. A. Cheater.”

He looked so determined, his distinct-looking brows turned down in a formidable frown. I’d never seen him that way before. He spoke forcefully, vehemently. Like someone telling the truth.

“I don’t owe you any explanations about my personal life,” he continued, stabbing a finger at me. “But since you’re my sister’s best friend, I’ll tell you that I never date anyone who wants to get serious. Nora happened to want more, and when I broke it off, she got angry. End of story.”

“You’re saying she lied?”

“To start a rumor, yes. Maybe to hurt me as she felt she’d been hurt.”

I had to admit, it sounded plausible. He certainly looked and sounded adamant.

“Fair enough.” I stood up straight. “Regardless of what I think about you, I owe you an apology. I’ll make it right—with your friend.” There. I wasn’t beyond apologizing. And Iwouldmake it right. That was who I was.

“No, you won’t,” he said quickly.

What?“I insist,” I said carefully, standing my ground.

“You’ve done enough. All I want now is for you to stay out of this.”

My head was spinning. I thought of Oma. She would be so ashamed that I’d stood in the way of someone’s chance at love. Even someone like him.

“Really, I feel terrible,” I said. “I may not like you, but I-I would never… I’ll do whatever it takes to keep the peace this weekend.” With a brief nod, he turned to place his key back in the lock. This time, I heard a successfulclickbefore the door swung open. I figured the discussion over, so I opened my door and started to walk into my apartment.

Then I heard, “Just be ready by eight on Thursday.”

I spun around. Did I hear that right? He wouldn’t be… could he be? “You’re offering me a ride? After all this?” I was incredulous.

We disliked each other. He was furious with me. I was still furious with him, despite feeling bad about Lilly. When he turned to face me, he looked… normal. Not fuming, not pissed. “Is this a trick?”

He scowled. “No.”

This had to be a trick. “Like, are you offering me a ride, only to leave me dead in those woods that line the highway all the way to Waukasaw?”

He rolled his eyes. “Mia told me about your car.”

Oh great.Thanks, Mia. She was a wonderful friend—well, except in this case. I, however, sucked, because look what I’d done. I narrowed my eyes. “What exactly did she tell you?” I didn’t want any pity about sacrifices I’d made for my sister.

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