Page 5 of 27 Kisses

But that was a copout. I could have gone home.

It doesn’t take a therapist to figure out why I didn’t. My sister was married to the man I loved.

I was happy for Emily. She’d found the love of her life. I’d just needed time to get over my crush, so seeing them together didn’t destroy me. But a few years turned into too many, and then my sister was gone. All that time with Emily was wasted because of my selfishness.

Coming home after that was too hard. Emily was gone. Aidyn was broken and angry, and we fought constantly.

And I wanted him still.

I buried myself in work and was rewarded with promotion after promotion until I reached the top. Marketing director for a major restaurant.

I used apps to find random hookups. Dating seemed pointless.

None of them was Aidyn.

My life was fine. Fulfilling enough. Or so I’d thought.

Until Jane and Isaac’s wedding, when everything changed. It still feels unreal. Getting to kiss Aidyn. Touch him. Confess how much I loved him. And most of all, Aidyn admitted that he loved me too. It was a dream come true.

And now, seven years later, we’re still together.

But are we? I can’t kiss him whenever I want. I can’t tell anyone about us. Other couples we know—Zye and Miles, Isaac and his prince, my sister Jane and her new boyfriend—hold hands and share kisses. Will we ever get there?

Zye’s a local wedding planner, and we have several mutual clients. I recommend him when I can. Especially now that he’s planned several weddings that didn’t end in disaster. And he has my brochure if anyone wants a rustic wedding or, apparently, a Whovian wedding.

Since I’m in town, I might as well stop by and see Zye. We have a mutual bridezilla who keeps changing her mind on everything.

Isaac greets me when I walk through the door of Zyetastic Weddings. Simon jumps up and runs over to me. He’s seven and is Isaac’s son and my nephew. The emu in the corner of the room, pecking at a tiara, squawks.

“Hello, Justine,” I say with a nod. “Still as friendly as ever.”

Simon hugs me and whispers, “Don’t get too close, Uncle Garrett. Justine is grumpy today. Daddy says it’s her Christy stage.”

“That’s not what I said. Not exactly.”

I wink at Simon and he runs back to his drawing.

“Where’s Zye?”

“He’ll be back in a minute. Is this about the Wilson wedding?”

“It is.” We talk about the client, and then Simon shows me his new secret handshake. Great. I just perfected the last one.

“Mommy went with us to the castle on Thanksgiving. It was so much fun. They had so much food.” His eyes widen. “So much. And I got to see Prince Phillipe—he’s not really a mad scientist.” This last part is said in a hushed voice. “He was smiling the whole time. And Mr. Weiss was there. And he said I could call him Luka. Only Reggie said I shouldn’t…”

Isaac mouths “I’m sorry” over Simon’s head, and I laugh.

“Hey, bud. Maybe you could read Justine a story until Miles gets back. She’s probably just tired of being cooped up inside. But don’t get too close to her,” Isaac says.

“Okay.” Simon takes off.

I take Simon’s spot at Isaac’s desk. “How’s everything going with Jane?”

“She’s upholding her end of the bargain. I thought it would be awkward, but so far, everything has been good. Simon has stopped asking me if she’s going to leave again.”

My sister struggled with depression after Simon was born. Losing Emily years before was probably a contributing factor. No one realized it at the time, but she had issues with addiction. However, she’s been sober for the last year and a half.

“I’m glad, Isaac. I hope it lasts.”