One: The invitation and an offer

Maren's pov

“ You are cordially invited to attend the wedding of Dylan Crosby and Hannah Carson. Friday fifth of…..” Rylee reads but stops halfway and squeezes the invitation in and throws it in the dustbin. “The fuck is he thinking, sending you an invitation just three months after you guys broke up” she frowned.

I could only smile weakly, my chest tightened and tears pricked the back of my eyes. Dylan was my boyfriend for ten years, we met during my second year of college. The very first guy that had shown interest in me, he was good to me in our early years of dating or maybe I was just blind to see that he is a red flag.

He broke up on the night of our tenth anniversary, dumping me like some worthless whore after making many sacrifices for him, helping him with his business ideas, and putting my savings into various failed businesses of his.

“I can't believe he asked you to marry him, only for you to be planning a wedding and the jerk decided to break up with you” Rylee said and turned to me, she moved closer to me to wipe the tears on my cheeks. “Hey, hey don't cry dear. He is an asshole and doesn't deserve you”

“Yeah” I chuckled softly and wiped my tears. I picked up a slice of pizza and took a bite out of it, “so how was work today?” I asked , trying to change the topic.

Rylee sipped out of her beer, “The boys are giving me head. Every single month I have to clean up their shit” she complained.

Rylee is the head of public relations for The Seattle Icehawks team, They are Dylan's favorite team. Rylee doesn't hate her job but trying to cover up someone's mistake or paint them in a good light is a lot of work.

“So who fucked up this time?” I asked.

“Who else? Gideon freaking Patton” she hissed, I can say he is her bane of existence. He is Dylan's favorite player, a star Goalie and well known playboy.

“He is as shitty as his fan” I scoffed and took a sip from my beer. “But I thought he is supposed to stay away from any drama?”.

Rylee doesn't usually say much about what really happened, she just gives a sneak peak of the entire drama. “yeah but the idiot decided to do some stupid shit !” she replied, her voice a little high.

I laughed at her, “Ma’am, your voice is a little high. Don't make Mrs Winston come here” I reminded her, Mrs Winston is one of my neighbours and always complains about Rylee’s voice.

“Oh. Is she around?”

I nodded, My mind drifted back to Dylan. I still think of what might have made me the type of woman he can't settle down with. He even sent an invitation to his wedding just to hurt me which did hurt.

Maybe I didn't really deserve a happy ending and family. I wasn't supposed to be thinking about him, each time I did I spiralled back to depression. I have spent two months in depression and getting drunk, I realized that I might have a high level of alcohol tolerance.

“Maren, Maren” Rylee called as she tapped me softly on my arm. “Are you thinking about that motherf**ker, You are so good that he knows he can't keep you. Don't feel less of yourself because one stupid idiot and besides you are supposed to be out there dating, hmm”

“Like I am that attractive” I rolled my eyes, I am not the type of woman you would look twice like Rylee, she's gorgeous, and has a lot of dating experience.

“We have talked about this, Maren, you need to be positive about yourself” she lectured.

I smiled and nodded, “Thank you” I whispered softly, She smiled back at me.

“ I wish them a unblissful marriage,” I said suddenly.

“Girl, say it again and louder” Rylee encouraged.

“I wish them a unblissful marriage!” I yelled.

“That is the energy” Rylee giggled and picked up her phone that just beeps “for fucksake” she groans and throws her phone back on my couch.

“Work?” I asked.

“Hmm” she opened another beer, “Talking about dating” she turned to look at me. The only time Rylee has such a look on her face is when she wants to suggest something mischievous.

“You are the perfect candidate for…” before she could finish I cut her off.

“Perfect candidate for what Rylee” I said, gulping the remaining beer in my bottle.

“Pretend to date Gideon Patton” she uttered.

“What!”