Caught in Us (Caught Series Book 4) by Kacey Shea (free e books to read TXT) 📕

expect it to hurt so much to see him with someone else. I didn’t think I’d be so jealous. Maybe I’ll catch a break and she’ll get food poisoning. Is that immature of me to hope for? Yes. At least I own it.

Opening a dresser drawer, I shuffle through the items I never shipped to London. I find what I’m looking for and head downstairs and across the lawn to the small guest cottage where Jill is getting ready. My mother is nowhere to be found, and I exhale a frustrated breath hoping and praying she’s at least going easy on the alcohol. Maybe she’s too preoccupied with everything happening at the estate to drink. Unlikely, but still I have hope.

“Hey.” I knock on the door, push it open, and step inside. “How’s everything going in here?” My breath catches and my hand goes to my chest. Jill stands in the center of the room, radiant in her wedding gown. “Oh, Jilly.” It’s not at all what I would have expected. The bodice is fitted with a deep V neckline and intricate lace overlay. The skirt flares out with layers of tulle. It’s modern and glamorous, and the prettiest dress I’ve seen. “You’re absolutely stunning.”

Jill exhales, her nude-painted lips smirking with her smile. “I hate that I love this dress so much.”

Callie grins. “Doesn’t she look like a—”

“Don’t say it.” Jill holds up her hand. “Between agreeing to take Cam’s last name and wearing this white dress, I already feel like a feminist sellout.”

“Oh, I don’t know about that.” I shake my head. “All that tulle makes it the perfect gown for smashing the patriarchy.”

Jill shoots me a grateful smile. “Thank you.”

“Speaking of antiquated traditions.” I step forward, squeezing the small jewelry box in my hands. “I wasn’t sure if you had something borrowed, or blue, and I know you don’t believe in all these old superstitions, but in case you want to make the exception . . .” I inhale a rush of breath and hold out the box. “These have been in my family for generations.”

Jill opens the box. “Oh, Alicia.”

It’s then I notice she’s already wearing a set of earrings with a matching necklace. “But I’m sure you’ve already had your jewelry planned for months. Please don’t feel like you have to wear them. It was silly of me to think—”

“Stop.” Jill rests her hand on my forearm. “These are beautiful and I would be honored to wear them today.” She blinks rapidly. “Fuck. You’re gonna make me cry.”

“Now, now, none of that,” I tease, holding back my own tears.

“Here.” Callie steps behind Jill to unfasten the chain of the neckless she’s wearing. She exchanges that for my family’s sapphire piece while Jill removes her earrings.

I hand her the new pair and step back to admire her again.

“Beautiful,” Callie whispers.

Jill reaches for my hand, squeezing it gently. “Thank you. And thank you for all this.” She motions toward the bay window where the lawn has been transformed to the perfect wedding venue. As if it were always planned and not rushed in less than a week.

“It was nothing.” I wave her off.

She stares, her eyes widening to call my bullshit. “This is definitely not nothing.”

No. It’s not, but I’m uncomfortable with her praise. I don’t feel I deserve it. There’s so much I have to make up for. This is just one step toward repairing the years lost and broken trust. “I should let you get back to getting ready.” I smile, stepping toward the door.

“Are you busy? Why don’t you stay?” The hopefulness in her offer is impossible to refuse.

“You sure? I don’t want to be in the way.”

“Please.” Callie blows out a breath. “We’re running out of things to talk about.” She sweeps her hands down her own gown, a sage green satin. “And we can’t sit down because of potential wrinkle damage.”

“We can’t have that.”

“Exactly!” Callie laughs and soon our conversation flows as easily as ever. We joke and laugh about old times. They ask me about Matthew. I ask about their jobs, their lives, and all the little things. The uncomfortable tension between us strips away. Warmth spreads in my chest as I experience a feeling I’d forgotten—belonging.

A longing for more moments like this takes hold. A picture, clear in my mind, begins to form. It’s of a life I’ve never dared to wish for. One where these women play a major role again. Conversation and connection. Brunch with my besties. Weekend barbeques with our families. Callie and Ash. Jill and Cam, with his daughter Kenslee too. And Chase.

Only, when I envision us all, I’m with Chase. Together together. He’s a loving and attentive father to Matthew, and we’re happy.

But that isn’t going to happen. Not when he has a girlfriend. Not after breaking his heart. Selfishly, I sit with that vision of the future, letting it wrap around me like a warm blanket even if it’s only a dream. Soon enough the reality that I’m going back to London will sink in. For now, I cling to this alternate reality and allow myself to feel that joy. Even if it’s not a possibility.

29

Chase

“Why do they make these things so damn tight?” My brother pulls at the collar of his dress shirt. His nerves rise along with the hand on the old-fashioned clock.

We’ve been inside Alicia’s childhood home for the last hour, getting ready and waiting in one of the guest bedrooms upstairs until it’s time. The room is more like a suite. This house is as immaculate as one would expect from the outside. Despite all its hallways, I hoped to run into Alicia when we arrived. I discreetly checked inside all open doors as one of the staff members led us up here, but came up empty. No sight of Matthew or Simon either. I have no idea where they are hiding, but I thought I’d at least catch a glimpse by now.

Staring out the windows that lookout onto