Chapter 02.2

I slept late—everyone was already up by the time I came downstairs.

“Little bro,” Amber said, “you can start making up for your screw-ups. After lunch, you should help out at the shop.”

“Isn’t Brad free?” I asked flatly. I had no desire to leave the house.

“Forget it,” Amber said. “I’ll manage.”

“Fine, I’ll help,” I said generously. “But only if your partner’s not there.”

I wanted to talk to Jenny, but no one needed to know that.

“She won’t be,” Amber replied. “Come by after lunch.”

I nodded. Amber gathered her things and left.

Then I got a message from an unknown number:

“Come to Tony’s after lunch.”

I figured it was Aaron or someone who’d changed their number. At least I’d get a decent meal.

After studying and an early lunch, I drove to Amber’s. The shop was open, so I went in. The photos were new, but the model was the same. Dad hadn’t lied—she looked stunning in the suit, the hat, the dresses. Every new photo. On some, Amber had even added jewelry.

“Hi, can I help you?” asked the attractive salesgirl.

“I’m looking for my sister—she owns the shop,” I said with a smile.

“She’s in the back,” the salesgirl said, nodding her head. I winked at her, but she just smiled as I walked past.

“You look beautiful,” I heard Amber say.

“I try,” came the reply—and my heart skipped. I’d recognize that voice among a thousand. It was Jenny.

I opened the door.

Jenny stood with her back to me, wearing a white wedding dress. Princess-style, frilly—not her style at all. But even so, I was speechless.

“You—you’re getting married?” I asked once I found my voice.

“You’re early,” Amber said, glancing up.

“Hi, Jay,” Jenny said softly. I could only see her hair, but something about her seemed different.

“We’re done,” Amber said. “You can change.”

She ushered me out and closed the door behind us.

“You didn’t tell me,” I snapped at Amber.

“Because it’s none of your business,” she replied. “Wait for me at the counter, please.”

I waited. A few minutes later, I heard the back door slam—Jenny had left.

I helped Amber move the wardrobe, the dresses, everything she asked for. When Amber wasn’t looking, I unlocked the room Jenny and I used to share and stepped inside to have a look around.

Some things had changed. A small fridge had appeared in the corner, next to a little side table. On the rolling rack, alongside Jenny’s spare clothes, hung a thick men’s sweater—about my size. It had to be her new guy’s.

“What are you doing, bro?” Amber’s accusing voice came from the doorway.

I stepped out quickly and pulled the door shut behind me. “Nothing,” I said. “I thought I needed to pack in there too.”

Amber gave me a sharp smack on the head. “We’re done. You can go,” she added curtly.

I drove over to Tony's, and as I stepped out of the car, a familiar voice rang out behind me.

“Pretty boy!”

It was Shannon. “You’re late.”

“You invited me?” I asked, disappointed.

“Yep,” she said. “Come on, I’m treating you to something wildly unhealthy. You look like a mess anyway.”

“Fine,” I shrugged. I was already there—might as well eat.

“Jay!” Tony greeted me with a hug. “Sit over there today,” he said, pointing to a new spot. The booth wasn’t pushed all the way to the wall—some big plant was in the way—but it worked. Shannon sat across from me, and I ordered.

“You know,” she began once my food arrived, “I once promised myself I’d repay Jane for helping me when no one else would.”

“Buy her a purse,” I laughed at my own joke.

“Already did.”

Shannon described some brown leather bag, but I wasn’t really listening.

“What do you want?” I asked when I got bored.

“Did you know she asked your dad to take me in?” she said. “My parents told me it was my problem to deal with. She helped—and paid your dad for my visits.”

“What?” I snapped. “Why didn’t I know about this? That’s what the ball was about, wasn’t it?”

“I asked her not to tell anyone. And I’ve paid her back every cent since my parents divorced.”

Now I was interested—this was good information.

“Eat something,” I said, waving to Tony.

“Tony, a salad for the lady, please. Dressing on the side.”

“You’re sweet,” she squealed. Jenny couldn’t have done better—I smiled.

“You know, I hated it when you two started dating,” she said.

“I figured,” I grinned. “You weren’t the only one.”

“I thought people liked her because she was your girlfriend and you were the cool guy. But I realized she was always just as much a leader as you. Maybe even more now that you’re not around.”

“What?” I lost the thread.

“The point is, she wasn’t with you to become an alpha. She already was one. That’s what caught your attention. She was your equal.”

“I already knew that,” I said.

“But you’re not worthy of Jane,” Shannon added. “You’d be better off not moving back home.”

“I don’t think you’re the one to tell me what to do,” I said flatly.

Then I saw Tony waving wildly from behind the counter. He formed a heart with his hands and pointed urgently. By the time I realized what he meant, it was too late—I dove under the table, into the plants, gripping the edge of the bench with one hand.