Page 66 of How to Break My Heart

“The color is berry hue,” the sales assistant informs us.

The second dress is lovely, too, with its intricate lace and flattering fit, but there’s no denying the first one steals the show. It has that perfect mix of elegance and charm.

Helena and her assistant crouch beside me, carefully pinning the fabric in place, murmuring about adjustments and tailoring as they work.

Maddy leans over, scrolling through photos on her phone to show us potential hairstyles, her excitement bubbling over. She tilts the screen toward me, displaying an elegant updo wrapped in tiny pearls. It’s no surprise Maddy is enjoying this fitting, since costumes and fancy dresses are her thing. I’m just glad she’s finally able to be in the moment. All week she’s been stressed with changes to the wedding plans.

Just then, Ramona’s phone pings from the chair. The sound cuts through our conversation, making us all glance over.

“What’s going on?” Maddy questions.

My lips press into a grimace before I blurt out, “Ramona asked your brother out to dinner.”

Ramona’s eyes widen in surprise. “Thanks a lot. And for the record, his message says he’s seeing someone.”

My body freezes, my focus shifted to my flipping stomach.

“Really? And besides, Mom told me in the changing roomyoutexted him.” Maddy’s mouth slackens, and then she continues, “He’s been in a horrible mood this week. I swear, he has man periods. If he’s seeing someone, wouldn’t he be getting laid and, therefore, be in a better mood?”

“Madelina,” her mother snaps. “We donotdiscuss such matters in public.”

“C’mon, Mom.” Maddy rolls her eyes. “Your son is the biggest player there is. Not only does he not do relationships, he has this rule where no woman is allowed to stay over. He does the deed and sends them on their merry way.”

Her mother closes her eyes as if trying to unhear Maddy’swords. A deep sigh escapes her, and she pinches the bridge of her nose, looking torn between disbelief and disappointment.

Meanwhile, I feel like the biggest fool for letting Aston get to me, or more so, for allowing him to give me the best orgasm of my life inside their guest bathroom.

I reach out, grabbing another glass of champagne.

Helena warns me not to get any on the dress, but at this point, I need to forget about Aston. But Maddy doesn’t shut up.

“Aston will never settle down. He’s never even been in love,” Maddy continues with her rambling. “In high school, he slept with two best friends, and they both lost their virginity to him that night.”

I gasp. “I thought that was a fake rumor!”

A satisfied smile graces Maddy’s lips. “Nope, just my big brother.”

“Madelina,enough. Your brother is a hard worker and does more than you’ll ever know for this family. If he chooses to live his life like this, then so be it.” Patricia stands to grab her purse. “Ladies, I have a dinner later and must prepare.”

Georgina also leaves but doesn’t give her opinion on Aston’s personal life. As for us girls, we sit on the chairs, exhausted from the day.

“Maybe I dodged a bullet not dating your brother.” Ramona sighs dejectedly. “He’s really handsome. I mean, drop-dead-gorgeous handsome. Did you know he doesn’t even have social media? I tried to stalk him, but instead, I found all these images of him on this social page. College girls run these accounts that have vision boards with him all over them. He’s been seen on red carpets for different galas and once his photo leaked, girls from NYU went nuts.”

“Wow!” I gasp, surprised by this revelation. “That’s some next-level stalking.”

“Oh yeah.” Ramona nods, continuing with, “They see him around Manhattan, and they call it suit porn.”

I raise my brow. “Suit porn?”

“Okay, enough.” Maddy rises from the chair. “We are talking about my brother. If you bring up his penis size, you’re dead to me.”

On the car ride home, I fall quiet. I lost count of how many glasses of champagne I consumed, but things started to blur, given I hadn’t eaten.

Maddy receives a call from Myles, so I use the time to close my eyes and fall asleep.

We’re outside my apartment when I wake, and the sky has turned dark.

Maddy puts the car in park and turns off the engine. “Do you think there is more to love than just that feeling?”