Chapter 1 Falling For My Exs Uncle Can the day I was suppened to get my marriage license , I found myself at cary hall bright and early , waiting from 8 AM until it closed just as I was walking our , feeling the curiones stares from the crowed , I got a message from Austin Herrera , saying something had come up at work , When I got back to our empty house , I opened my phone and saw an Instagram pour from Austins childhood sweetheart : ( Thanks for the birthday Austin The photo showed a beauoful
scene on an island , and in the corner , I could still see a guy with a well defined physique Scrolling through the ernments , it was all compliments and a bit of playful envy about having such a great friend .
After giving the post a like .
I decided to reach out to my friend .
[ Hey , can you set up that blind date you mentioned last timer ) Id been in love with Austin for its pears , and during that time , Id transformed from a young girl into a into a woman nearly thirty .
My family had been all about the wedding talk , and I kept hringing up murruage with Austin , but he always seemed to put it off .
Just when I thought I might be done waiting , he surprised me by proposing in public not too long ago Today was supposed to be e the big day for us to get our license .
Two days ago , my men called out of the blue , saying , Sweetie , I consulted someone , and they say the day after tomorrow is a perfect day for you to get your license I couldnt help but laugh , and of course , Austin heard me .
He pulled me into a warm embrace and assured me he was all in for anything I needed .
But then , right before our license appointment yesterday, he suddenly started parking his bags for a business trip .
Before he left , he gently ruffini my hair and said , Dont worry , its just for a day .
Ell definitely be back in time .
Looking into his calm eyes , I held back the words I wanted to say .
I just smiled as I dropped him off at the airport , feeling happy .
Even last night when we talked , he swore he was already at the airport .
uldnt help but daydream about Today , I woke up early , put on some light makeup , and headed to the city hall with my drivers license in hand .
I couldnt the amazing life wed have ingrether As time ticked by , the fresh rose in my hand slowly wilted .
I called Austin multiple times , but none of my calls went through , and I couldnt shake the worry that something might have happened to him er who was supposed to be traveling with him , trying to get some intel .
Turns out , they hadnt been on any trip at all ed out to a coworker who was s I even reached out to Ms.
Parks , I heard Mr.
Herrera took a week off just to get ready for the wedding .
Id be thrilled to attend your wedding the guy salt .
I see you then , I replied , churkling weakly before hanging up .
I will found myself wondering if this whole thing was some sort of surprise that Austin was planning for me .
When I finally got home , the place was empty , and as I flipped the lights on , I realized there wasnt going to be any surprise waiting for me after all , Feeling a g a bit let down , I collapsed on the couch and tried to clear my mind about what Austin was actually up to Just then , I got a message from Austin [ The company had a temporary issue .
Wed have to get the license some other time I replied with a simple [ Sure .
] Then , out of curiosity , I opened Instagram and found a post from Austins childhood sweetheart .
[ Thanks for the birthday gift , Austin ) 1 accompanied by a photo of an nland There was a girl in a cute swimus lounging under a coconut tree , donning a wide sun hat and carrying a limited edition bag .
And in the refe of her sunglasses was a solully built guy snapping a pic of her .
Yeah , that was definitely Austin off on a supposedly temporary commitment Scrolling through the comments , I saw others lamenting how they wished they had a brother like him .
田 回 Chapter 1 I was so hopelessly dumb .
A dull ache settled in my chest .
Id been in love with Austin for six long years , and those sweet moments we shared were often tainted by things that didnt really belong ins There was his childhood sweetheart , Rosemary Real .
Her parents had passed away when she was young , and she ended up being raised in Austins home , which made them incredibly close , almost like siblines .
On my birthday .
Id find myself blowing our candles alone while hed get wrapped up in some excuse related to Rosemary .
Hed even bring her along on our dates , saying he couldnt leave her alone at home .
And when he finally proposed , he bought her a dress from the same collection he picked for me because , apparently , she liked it too .
All those memories flooded back, and every argument we had over Rosemary ended with that same phrase from him .
Shes just my little sister My heart sank a little deeper , especially knowing he was off vacationing on some island with Rosemary while I sat at home waiting for him Six years .
How many more of these could I take ? Growing up without a father , I always wanted a complete family , dreaming that my future kids would have a happy home 1 smiled bitterly , wiping away the tears that had slipped out .
I even liked this post , hoping hed take a hint .
Then , I turned around and casually messaged a friend .
Hey , can you set up that blind date your mentioned last time ! Austin returned home three days later .
He walked in with an icy chill hanging around him and stood in the foyer , waiting for me to come help with the bags I stayed put on the couch , not giving him a glance .
When I didnt move , he finally spoke up , Laurel , Im home .
I just hummed and kept my eyes glued to the TV .
Noticing something was off , he hung his snow drenched jacket by the door and made his way over to me .
He wrapped me in his arms and softly asked if I was upset .
Laurel , Im sorry .
That project was a bit tricky , he said .
I tuned into his steady heartbeat , which didnt skip a beat even when he lied .
saw Rosemarys Instagram , I shot back , locking my gaze on him to see how hed react .
When I dropped Rosemarys name , I could see his face tighten with annoyance , and I could hear it in his voice .
Rosemary just happened to be there , and I swung by for her birthday .
How many times do I have to tell you I think of her like a little sister ? Just like I thought , he was sticking to the same old script .
Oh , so you had time for her birthday but no time to give me a call ? I asked .
During the time I couldnt reach him , my mind raced , wondering if he was safe .
I felt a lump in my throat as I fought to hold back tears in front of him .
Austin pressed his lips together and stubbornly added , What difference does it make ? We still couldnt get a license anyway I looked at him , the guy Id spent six years with , and felt a wave of disappointment wash over me .
For a moment , I didnt even want to argue Just then , the doorbell rang .
I got up to answer it , and it was Rosemary .
She had a big bag in her hand and smiled warmly at me .
Laurel , youre here , I brought Austins stuff he left at my place .
She handed me the bag , revealing a bracelet around her wrist My heart dropped when I saw it , and I froze as I took the bag in my hands .
That bracelet was special .
Austin had traveled to several cities to get it for When he gave it to me , he said , I hope this brings you luck .
Turns out , what I thought was something unique between us , he had given to Rosemary too .
Sorry , Laurel , Rosemary said , her hands together and her head tilted , her eyes wide with innocence .
