He Asked Me to Pick a Bridesmaid Dress for Their Wedding Chapter 01

He Asked Me to Pick a Bridesmaid Dress for Their Wedding Chapter 01

I was trying on bridesmaid dresses with my best friend when she said it. “Ethan’s pretty good, you know.” I froze. Ethan is my husband. I didn’t want to read into it.

She touched the bruise just above her collarbone. “He left this in the car last night. I should tell him to go easy next time.”

My throat closed up and my fingers went cold. “Have you no shame?”

Her smile didn’t waver. She grabbed my hand and pressed it against her stomach. “Can’t help it. I’m pregnant with Ethan’s baby.” My body locked and my brain went white static.

“He loves you. He really does. He just thinks you’re filthy. Me? I gave him my first time. Never been knocked up before. So he’s giving me the wedding.”

I stumbled backward. Hot hands caught me. I swung without thinking and slapped him across the face.

Ethan Cole touched his jaw. His voice was flat. “So you know.”

***

I was shaking. Ice cold. Ethan looked at me, tongue pushed into his cheek. “You and Sierra have been tight forever. You couldn’t take a few notes? Just once?”

His tone hadn’t changed. Still the same voice I fell in love with. Every word landed like a blade between my ribs. “You make me sick,” I whispered.

He blinked and laughed like it was nothing. “You’re the one who’s dirty. Every time I see your body, I picture you under someone else.” His eyes flickered with disgust. “I’m not letting my kid grow inside something that used.”

I stood there, ears ringing, staring at him like he was a stranger. Yesterday he held me in his arms and whispered he loved me over and over. He swore my past didn’t matter and said he’d never hold it against me.

“Do you hear yourself?” My voice splintered and tears spilled over. He reached out and wiped them away. Then he sighed. “I hear myself. I love you. I do. But I wanted to know what it felt like to be with someone untouched. And you lied first.”

He took Sierra’s hand. “Sierra’s your best friend. She’s not trying to take your place. We already talked, the baby can call you Mom. You should be thanking her.”　　 I stared at their interlaced fingers and my vision blurred.

Yesterday I found out I was pregnant. I planned a dinner to tell the two most important people in my life. Instead they spent the whole night ignoring me and snapping at each other.

Sierra said Ethan didn’t spend enough time with me. Ethan told her to mind her own business. I was used to it. That was just how they were. By the end of the night, they were still arguing over who got my weekend.

And now they stood together telling me they were having a baby. I gasped for air and Ethan reached for me, face creased with worry. “Don’t make a scene. Nothing has to change.”

“Yesterday, when Sierra and I were fighting? I said work called. Total lie. I was in the car with her. She was wearing that red set. What was I supposed to do?”

My chest caved in. I was breathing glass. “Sierra is my best friend!”

I turned on her. “Why?”

Sierra stepped closer and took my hand. “Holly, that’s exactly why. I’d never threaten your place. Ethan and I are just having fun. A little excitement. You’ll always be the most important person to both of us.”

My hands trembled and my ribs ached with something bitter. Ethan kissed my cheek like nothing had happened. “Cheer up. You’ve always wanted to see your best friend in a wedding dress. Pick out a bridesmaid dress while you’re here.”

The diamonds on her gown caught the light and burned my eyes. Tears swallowed my vision. I swung again and slapped him harder. “You’re both disgusting!”

Before I could breathe, someone shoved me. I slammed into the table corner and pain exploded through my side. Sierra’s voice was soaked in tears. “We’re disgusting? Holly Vance. You seduced my brother. Begged him to fuck you. And you have the nerve to call me disgusting?”

Ethan looked at me. Cold. “Get a grip.”