“What flowers?” Jarrett, sitting in the middle between Rylie and Matthew, looked confused. “I asked you to bring Gatorade.”
Matthew shrugged his shoulders. “I figured she would be upset. I thought the flowers would help.”
“So you bought the flowers?” Carlie blinked her long lashes, one hand coming up to cover her mouth, open in an audible gasp. “That was so sweet.”
How on earth did she get a part in that movie? They must’ve been desperate. Or maybe I just know Carlie too well.
“Wait.” Jarrett twisted to glare at Matthew. “You brought flowers to my fiancée?”
“Technically, she couldn’t have been your fiancée,” Matthew said, unapologetically, “since you were already married to Rylie. And anyway, I gave you credit for them.”
Rylie thought she saw her sister giggling behind her hand, but she couldn’t be sure.
“All the same.” This time Carlie’s anger was convincing. “You’ve left me with a mess to clean up. What about the wedding plans? How am I supposed to explain this to my fans, who think we’re getting married?”
“I’m sorry, Carlie—” Jarrett began.
“Just a minute!” Rylie interrupted. “Carlie, it’s your own fault that the press found out about the wedding way earlier than they were supposed to. Your agent wanted the publicity boost. And you didn’t ask Jarrett before she accidentally let that slip on social media. She did it, so let her figure how to get out of it.”
“But it could be so embarrassing… just when I was starting to gain popularity again. Maybe, we shouldn’t say anything right away. If people see you together, they’ll think it’s me.”
Carlie’s lip pushed into an endearing pout, but it didn’t impress Rylie. She’d seen it before, even on her own face.
“I’m not doing that, Carlie.”
“Fine!” She stomped a foot. “I would’ve hated getting my hair cut to match yours anyway. Ughh! Bangs take forever to grow out.”
“I think you’d look cute in bangs,” said Matthew, pure adoration clearly written on his face.
“You do?” Her lashes fluttered again.
Rylie could’ve kicked her sister for not at least pretending to be in love with Jarrett. Had she forgotten he was watching her? He was going to be devastated, once again. And it was Rylie’s fault Matthew had come. What a stupid idea.
“Okay, we’re done here.” Rylie leapt to her feet, wishing she had time for a run. She needed the solitude to recharge her depleted battery. “There’s nothing to be gained from hashing this out. Carlie, go call your agent. Jarrett, I’ll come next door in thirty minutes and ride to the hospital with you. Matthew, thanks for all your help today. I think you’ve gone above and way beyond.”
Matthew had the decency to avoid eye contact with Jarrett. When both men were gone, Rylie confronted her sister, who hummed a tune in the kitchen as she put on an apron and grabbed a knife and cutting board.
“What was that, Carlie?” Rylie pointed to the empty family room. “Did you forget you’re supposed to be devastated that you and Jarrett aren’t getting married?”
Carlie retrieved an armful of vegetables from the refrigerator. “I am devastated. It’s a horrible mess.”
“You’re way more upset about your reputation than losing Jarrett. You’re supposed to be in love with him.”
“I never said I was in love with him.” She began to cut a zucchini, expertly rocking the blade like a chef on TV. “I said he was super hot, and he is. But he hasn’t been all that supportive, you know. I had this big weekend, and he didn’t even call me to ask about the audition.”
“Since this was the weekend Gabe had to go into the hospital and have surgery and start chemotherapy, Jarrett may have had a few other things on his mind.”
“That’s what I’m talking about.” Carlie shifted a yellow squash to the cutting board. “Gabe is his priority for the time being, and that’s fine. But he really doesn’t have room for me in his life.”
Rylie folded her arms to hide the anger causing them to shake. “And when were you planning to tell Jarrett your opinion?”
Carlie froze and looked up from her vegetables. “I wasn’t going to tell him. I was going to sacrifice and marry him because I thought I owed him. And you’re the one who made me think I needed to make up for the past, so don’t go getting on your high horse.”
“Then you aren’t upset that Jarrett and I have to stay married for at least a year?”
“Actually, I’m relieved.” Carlie sliced a bell pepper, pushing the seeds to the side. “But I thought it would hurt his feelings if he knew.”
“It would,” Rylie said. “I’m afraid he already figured it out from the way you were flirting with Matthew.”
“I wasn’t flirting.” Her cheeks pinked at the lie, and Rylie wondered if she blushed when she was acting. After all, wasn’t acting just telling an elaborate fabrication? “Do you want some salad?” Carlie tipped her chin toward the pile of sliced veggies. “I’ve got plenty.”
“No, thanks,” Rylie said. “I’ve got some fried mac and cheese balls about to come out of the oven. Gotta love Trader Joe’s.”
“You could also buy healthy food at Trader Joe’s,” Carlie said, looking down her nose.
“Yeah, but why bother.” Rylie’s stomach growled as she stared through the oven glass, the delicious smell making her impatient. Her stress was off the charts. If she couldn’t go for a run, what could be better than deep-fried starch?
To his credit, though Finn’s eye’s watered with his laughter, he stopped short of actually rolling on the floor, probably because Jarrett warned him in advance of Rylie’s threat.
“I don’t see anything funny about it.” Rylie’s huge blue eyes glinted steel at Finn, and she didn’t crack a smile.
“I’m sorry you ended up stuck with him, Rylie. You must be a saint to do it,” Finn said, his eyes crinkled above the mask. “It’s just that of the four of us, Jarrett is the absolute last person this should’ve happened to. Random errors don’t happen with Jarrett. He’s never even bought a box of cereal without planning it on a spreadsheet.”
“You shouldn’t be laughing at him.” She shook her finger in Finn’s face. “If you’re his friend, you should realize how unfair this is. Jarrett’s been completely unselfish this whole time. He’s sacrificed himself to make sure Gabe gets the best possible treatment. And he’s willing to do anything to give Gabe the home he deserves—even giving up his big chance with Carlie.”
Jarrett probably should’ve stood up for Finn, who was merely teasing, as he often did. But Rylie’s bragging stroked his ego, which was a bit tattered from her sister’s response to the news. Carlie’s only objection appeared to have been losing out on a great publicity opportunity. He wondered when Rylie had developed such loyalty toward him and only wished he deserved the impassioned speech.
