A Bet's a Bet, My Love

"Paige, what kind of wedding do you want? I'll have people start on it right away."

Cameron's best friend, Brady Ellis, was already eagerly calling the manager at Ellis Events, his family's wedding company.

Cameron's sister, Mia Weller, hooked her arm through Paige's and pouted excitedly.

"Then I'm your bridesmaid! Nobody else gets to fight me for it!"

And my childhood friend Jenna Holloway, a makeup artist, immediately pulled up her schedule.

"I've got hair and makeup covered! What day's the wedding? I'll clear my calendar."

Paige looked at them and smiled.

"Keep it simple. A small beach wedding is fine.

"And why wait? Next Saturday looks perfect to me."

"Don't be ridiculous." Cameron raised an eyebrow. "Next Saturday, Iris and I are getting married."

"Aren't we friends? Just push yours back a few hours and let me go first. It won't get in your way."

Cameron let out a soft laugh and caved on the spot.

"Fine, fine, whatever you say. I lost to you, didn't I?"

They threw themselves into planning every detail of Paige's wedding.

I sat silently in the corner as my heart sank lower and lower.

Paige's wedding was something Cameron had lost to her on purpose.

Ours was something he'd thrown together just to win.

A month ago, at a business dinner, Cameron's archrival had suddenly announced that he was getting married this year.

Cameron's competitive streak kicked in, and he announced on the spot that we'd be getting married the following month.

The timeline was so tight that I rushed to ask Brady to plan our wedding. He said the wedding company wasn't his department.

I was one bridesmaid short, so I asked Mia for help. She said no.

Even Jenna, who'd promised long ago to do my bridal makeup, was suddenly booked.

I was the one who'd brought Paige into our circle in the first place.

But now, somehow, I was the outsider.

My forehead still throbbed where Cameron had flicked it red, but that was nothing compared to the ache in my chest.

Noticing my mood had dropped, Cameron frowned and cut in.

"Iris is right here. Watch what you say."

Paige's smile froze for a split second before snapping back into place.

"Right, exactly. Stop shipping us, you guys.

"Iris, I'm just going to borrow your fiancé for a little bit, okay?"

It wasn't a discussion. It wasn't a request. It was an announcement.

I took a deep breath and tried to keep my voice steady.

"I don't agree to this.

"My wedding isn't being postponed."

The room went so quiet you could've heard a pin drop.

Brady was the first to voice his annoyance. "We're all friends here. Helping out isn't a big deal.

"Besides, Paige won the game. We're supposed to grant her a wish."

Jenna chimed in immediately. "Come on, Iris, that's on you. A bet's a bet!"

"If you can't handle losing, don't play..." Mia muttered under her breath.

I didn't say a word. I just looked at Cameron.

All he had to do was call off this ridiculous wedding, and I could pretend none of it had happened.

But he hesitated.

Paige bit her lip and put on a breezy tone. "It's fine, it's fine. Forget I said anything.

"Don't be mad, Iris. I just wanted to get my parents off my back. Otherwise, they're going to drag me home and marry me off.

"Honestly, maybe that's fine too. I already missed my chance with the person I really liked... What does it matter who I marry?"

"Don't talk like that. I'm not letting you marry someone you don't love."

Just like that, a few words were all it took. Cameron stopped hesitating and pulled her into his arms.

Everyone else gathered around to comfort Paige until she finally smiled through her tears.

I let out a bitter little laugh, grabbed my bag, and got up to leave.

"Iris..." Paige started after me.

The next second, Cameron's careless voice rang out, full of certainty.

"Leave her. If she doesn't come back on her own by the wedding, I'll admit I lost."

I didn't look back.

In seven years together, I'd always been the one who lost.

This time, I wanted to win for myself.