Page 73 of Truth Or Dare
Only she would tease me for being ‘late’ right after getting married.
“You’re welcome.” I flash her a smile. “So, how’s being married?” I ask. “Do you feel any different?”
“After twenty minutes?” Her eyebrows lift, and she laughs. “No. But I doubt I will.”
“Why’s that?”
She lets out a content sigh, her eyes drifting to the dancefloor where Rachel is dancing with her dad. “Since the day I met her, we’ve always been connected. Like a tether was tying us together before we even met. I’ve always felt like she’s my soulmate. I doubt getting married will change that.”
I watch as Rachel locks eyes with my sister, and they exchange a knowing look that I’m all too familiar with. Glancing around the crowd, I meet Chris’ gaze. His lips curve into a smile, and my heart races in my chest.
“She’s my best friend,” my sister says, drawing my attention back to her. “But you know what that’s like, right?”
I swallow nervously. “What are you talking about?”
She smiles knowingly, her eyes fixed on me. “You don’t need to lie to me, Gabi. I’m not stupid. I can see you’re in love with that boy from a mile away.”
Without thinking, I turn to look at Chris again, watching him engrossed in conversation with others. It’s been a while since he’s been home, so it makes sense everyone wants to catch up with him.
“I saw it back then,” my sister continues. “Even though you denied it time and time again, I could see how perfect you guys were for each other.” I inhale sharply, meeting her gaze. “And I see it now.”
“You do?”
She nods, her white veil fluttering in the wind. “Clear as day.” Her expression softens. “Is there a reason you two haven’t gotten together yet?”
“It’s not like that. Chris is…” I bite my tongue. I can’t keep using the excuse that Chris is just my best friend. I can’t lie to my sister. I let out a deep sigh. “He doesn’t feel the same way,” I admit.
“What?” she asks, her brow furrowing.
I shrug, feeling a pang in my chest. “It’s just not going to happen for us,” I say, the words heavy on my tongue. Admitting it breaks my heart. I don’t think I’ll ever get over these feelings I have for him, and I don’t want him out of my life. It’s all so complicated.
“But you guys…” She shakes her head. “Nothing ever happened between you two in high school?”
“No.”
“Really?” she asks, her eyes widening in disbelief. “He slept in your bed almost every night.”
I shrug, shaking my head. “He knew I didn’t like sleeping alone,” I explain. “Especially when dad was drunk.” My sister sucks in a breath at the mention of him. “We’d stay up all night, talking, playing video games, and listening to music until we fell asleep.” I swallow hard. “Nothing more ever happened.”
My sister’s jaw drops, and she blinks in surprise. “Ever?”
A hint of a memory, fleeting and indistinct, flickers in my mind, but I shake it away. “No.”
She hums thoughtfully, glancing past me. “But you love him, don’t you?”
I roll my eyes, trying to deflect. “It’s your wedding day. Shouldn’t you be a bridezilla or something?”
She smiles warmly. “Today went better than I ever imagined. No bridezilla needed.” Her expression turns serious as she fixes her gaze on me. “Now answer my question.”
I don’t hesitate. My feelings for Chris have been growing since the day we met, evolving into something I know will never go away. “Yes,” I admit quietly. “I love him.”
My sister’s eyes soften and she sighs. “And you’re not going to tell him?”
I shake my head. “I can’t risk losing him over this. I’d rather keep him as my best friend forever than risk losing him altogether.”
My sister shakes her head, her hand resting on my shoulder. “You’ll never know unless you try.”
My brows furrow as I think about what my sister said. What if I tell Chris how I feel and he doesn’t feel the same? Being rejected by him scares me more than I ever want to admit. But keeping these feelings buried, and pretending I don’t love him might break me.
