Chapter 3

When Cameron and I walked into the private dining room, everyone was already there.

I said hello as if nothing were wrong, then found a seat in the corner.

Paige casually slipped her arm through Cameron's.

"Mom, Dad, this is my boyfriend."

"We're getting married next Saturday. Now you can finally stop worrying!"

I looked at the pink diamond on her ring finger, then down at the tiny diamonds on my own ring.

Cameron had told me diamonds were a lie invented by big business, and all that mattered was the gesture.

But then he'd turned around and bought Paige a one-of-a-kind pink diamond.

I gave a mocking little laugh and started to take my ring off.

Beside me, Mia suddenly yanked it off my finger and lowered her voice.

"Hurry up and get that off. Seriously, my brother's still wearing the matching band. We almost got caught."

My finger burned where the ring had scraped it, but inside, I'd gone cold.

Back then, I was the one who'd risked my life to pull Mia out from under a massive wave.

Later, when Cameron and I started dating, she told me I was the only sister-in-law she'd ever accept.

But the moment Paige showed up, everything changed.

Across the table, Paige forked a piece of glazed short rib onto Cameron's plate.

Cameron didn't like greasy food.

On his last birthday, I'd cooked for him myself and ended up with grease spatters all over my hands. He said it ruined his appetite and didn't take a single bite.

I opened my mouth on instinct to say something.

But he just furrowed his brow and ate it anyway, indulgent as ever.

Under Paige's expectant gaze, Cameron gave her a rueful smile.

"Anything you feed me tastes good."

Paige didn't have to say a word. Cameron already knew what she wanted to hear.

They were that in sync now.

"Here they go again, rubbing it in our faces," Brady teased.

"Mr. and Mrs. Sutton, you've got nothing to worry about with Paige in Cameron's hands."

Jenna laughed and picked up where he left off. "Exactly. Cameron's really good to Paige."

Mia jumped in, full of confidence. "My parents love Paige. They said she's the only daughter-in-law they'll ever accept!"

Watching all of this, I just found it laughable.

After the wedding date was set, I'd asked Cameron over and over to meet my parents first.

But he was always too busy. He'd never once thought to ask his friends to show up and back him up.

"With Cameron and all of you looking out for her, of course we're not worried!"

Mrs. Sutton smiled, relieved, then turned to me warmly.

"Iris, you have to be one of Paige's bridesmaids!"

I took my time dabbing the corner of my mouth, then answered slowly.

"I'm afraid I can't, Mrs. Sutton. I have something that day."

"What could be more important than your best friend's wedding? Listen to me..."

"I'm busy getting married that day."

The moment I said it, everyone exchanged looks.

Cameron cleared his throat awkwardly and quickly changed the subject.

Jenna kept shooting me pointed looks, while Brady and Mia grabbed their phones and started typing furiously.

A second later, our long-dead group chat lit up with message after message.

Every single one of them blamed me.

I skimmed them, then left the group chat.

At the same time, my parents texted.

"Sweetheart, Lucas dropped us off at the hotel. Don't worry. Come by when you're done."

I let out a breath of relief.

Then I took a card with cash tucked inside out of my bag, set it on the table, and smiled.

"I still have wedding prep to do, so I'll head out first."

"I can't make it to your wedding, so here's my gift in advance."

Before they could respond, I got up and left.

Soft laughter followed me out.

They were all convinced I was just throwing a tantrum.

What they didn't know was that someone was already waiting for me outside the restaurant.

This time, I was really leaving.