Page 21 of How to Break My Heart

Aston Beaumont.

I force a smile as Maddy starts rambling on about calling Aston to plan things out.

Here’s the thing…

Maddy has no clue what happened all those years ago, and now is not the right time to mention it. Honestly, I don’t want to remember any of it, let alone give Maddy a play-by-play of what happened with her brother that night.

Besides, it’s all in the past.

“God, I forgot to mention my dad called before I arrived, too. I swear, my brain is all mush right now, and this red wine is not helping. He wants to officially meet Myles’s family this Saturday even though he’s met them several times, and I doubt Mom will make it back in time. I was like,you’ve met them, and then he lectures me on proper etiquette. I was like,okay, whatever, add more for me to do. Just my family—but count ten if my aunts and uncles come—Myles’s family, and you, of course. Do you think you can find somewhere nice in town last-minute for just over twenty guests?” she asks with hopeful eyes.

“Sure, leave it to me.”

Maddy wraps her arms around me, holding on tighter than usual. I can tell the excitement of what should be the happiest time of her life is slowly overwhelming her. I pull away, holding on to her hands. “We’ve got this, bestie. Relax and be present, okay?”

With a collected smile, she nods before letting go and opening the door.

As soon as Maddy leaves, I sink into the sofa with a bigger weight on my shoulders.

Planning a wedding was never going to be easy, and unless I change my mindset, this is going to be the wedding from hell.

My best friend doesn’t deserve that.

Something draws me to my phone. I lean over, pick it up, and stare athisnumber. However, the longer I stare, the more annoyed I become. The stupid thing is, I don’t even know the guy anymore. We were kids.

So, for the sake of my best friend, I begin typing a message.

Me

Hi Aston. I guess our girl is getting married and we’re supposed to make it all happen. We can start planning when you get here this weekend. Hope you’ve been well. Eva xx

As soon as I hit send, the double-kisses abbreviation throws me into a frenzied panic. I hit the unsend button so fast I don’t even realize what I’ve done until I’ve done it.

Shit. Shit. Shit!

I blame the cheap Pinot Grigio. This is why vodka is much more my drink of choice. I throw my phone across the living room, resting my head back on the cushion. Then, a ping alerts me to an incoming message. With a mad rush, I reach for my phone, almost falling off the sofa.

Aston

What did the unsent message say?

This isn’t how this was supposed to go. I was supposed to pretend Aston Beaumont has no effect on me whatsoever.

I close my eyes, take a deep breath, then begin to type a message. The only way to redeem myself is with a little white lie.

Me

Sorry, I sent you a message meant for someone else. Anyway, looking forward to planning Maddy’s wedding. See you Saturday.

Me

BTW it’s Eva.

I wait for his response, but there is nothing.

And, truth be told, I expect nothing less from him.

CHAPTER 5Aston