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That sour feeling became an all-encompassing panic that lit her body from the inside out. Betrayal and disappointment only fueled the already-raging inferno. Cleo had been right. Her sister hadn’t just broken her promise. Between her immaturity and selfishness, she’d screwed Summer in the process.
Even worse, she’d kept this all from her. Just like Wes and the new grand opening date, she’d lied by omission. The old Summer would have let things slide, but the new Summer, who was tired of being a doormat that just lay there and took it, was done playing nice to keep the peace.
“I need that money, Autumn. I don’t care how you come up with it, but you will pay me back by quarter’s end.”
Autumn’s brows disappeared into her hairline at Summer’s tone, but Summer didn’t care. That money was her safety net, in case anything happened to her store. And it looked like she’d need that safety net sooner rather than later, when her neighbor opened his doors.
“Can’t you just pull from your wedding fund?” Autumn asked quietly.
“I already did. For you.”
“And I am so thankful. I’m not saying I won’t pay you back, I just need a little more time. And I need your support.”
Summer didn’t know what to say. By supporting her sister’s dreams she would have to put her own dreams in jeopardy.
Old insecurities that she thought she’d dealt with rose up and hit her like a sledgehammer to her chest. She’d always supported Autumn, no matter how rash and outrageous the ask. But Cleo was right, it was time to put herself first.
“Why don’t you ask Randy?”
“And have him think I’m a gold digger? No way. Plus, I don’t want him to know just how bad my credit is and that I’m practically broke.”
“Aren’t those things people talk about when they’re going to move in together?”
“People with money don’t talk about money. They just assume that everyone else has it.”
Summer had assumed the same thing about Wes. But the more she’d gotten to know him, the more she’d realized that his quest for success had become more about taking care of his brother than a money grab.
“But you don’t have money.”
“But I will.” Autumn grabbed Summer’s hands. “I promise you I’m going to make this a success, just like your shop.”
Summer wanted to laugh. She was one grand opening away from going under. Not that she wanted her family to know that. And now she had a plan of action, which hopefully meant she wouldn’t have to tell them ever.
God this was a mess. An Autumn-made mess. Or had Summer played an unknowing role in it? She never should have lent her sister the money with expectations of getting it back in the allotted time. She’d known in her gut it was a risk, but she’d taken that risk because love trumped everything. Her mom and aunt had loved Summer enough to give her a shot at her dreams. What kind of hypocrite would she be to deny her sister another few weeks?
“If you promise to tell Randy the truth, I’ll think about giving you a short extension on the loan.”
Autumn pulled Summer into her arms and rocked her excitedly back and forth. “You’re the best sister ever!”
Yeah, the best.
Chapter 20
friendzoned
Summer was romantically challenged. She had taken it from a perfect meet-cute to the friend zone. And by her frenemy, of all people. She was cursed.
That was a lie—not the cursed part, that was as true as the day was long, but about them being frenemies. Because for a moment there yesterday, something had changed between them. Then he’d recoiled so fast he’d nearly fallen over.
Summer snuck out of bed early to avoid him because he’d been avoiding her. He hadn’t even come to bed last night, opting to sleep on the family room floor rather than be in her presence.
Well, she wasn’t going to let him ruin her day, because today was Twin Day and that meant laughter, fun, and freedom from all the bullshit that was going on in her life.
She put on her pink#TWINNINGcrop top, cutoff jean shorts, and pink cowgirl boots, just like she did every year. But today felt more imperative than years past. Today there would be no talk of Randy or borrowed money or brownstones in New York. Or cold-footed fiancées.
Today would be a day to recapture all the memories they’d created over the years. Today was the day they’d become twins again.
And Summer needed that. Needed to get back to being sisters and remind Autumn of their unbreakable bond.