Till Lies Do Us Part

Valerie

"You may kiss the bride."

I glanced up and my heart surged as my eyes traced the blue-eyed man in the formfitting suit. My breath caught as he leaned forward and planted his mouth…on my sister’s. Cheers went up around the room, and I forced my hands to move slowly, applauding the brand-new smiling couple.

"Congratulations." I pasted a smile on my face and gave Alice the briefest of hugs.

"Thank you!" She laughed, eyes shining with the happiness that should have been mine.

I trailed after the bride, holding up her endless train as she walked out of the church arm in arm with Zane Malone. I was like a ghost: frail, pale, and invisible, the bridesmaid dress hanging off me. The complete opposite of my voluptuous red-haired sister. No wonder Zane had tossed me aside the moment he saw her.

There was never love lost between Alice and me. She had always striven to be our parents’ pet, upstaging me at every turn. No matter how much she had, it was never enough until she took from me.

"How are you feeling?" My cousin Alfie appeared at my side, wearing a grimace. "You okay?"

If they had expected me to throw a tantrum or cry, they were going to be very disappointed.

"I'm fine. I'm always fine." I’d had three months to get over my boyfriend leaving me for my sister. I was totally fine. I just had to get through today, then I could go home and binge my comfort shows.

That plan evaporated at the reception when my father climbed onstage.

"As a marriage gift, we’ve decided to make Zane the COO of Nektar and give them the cottage in Florida."

My head whirled and blood roared in my ears, drowning out the thunder of applause. A shrill scream echoed inside me, but outwardly all I could do was gape as my ex-boyfriend hugged Dad like the son he’d never had. That position was supposed to be mine! I’d worked for the company straight out of high school, balancing college with a job, starting from the bottom and clawing my way up. And the Florida cottage—my godmother’s gift—was my inheritance. Mine.

From over Father’s shoulder, Alice caught my eyes and winked. They were waiting for me to break, to give the guests a reason to pity me. Instead, I picked my jaw up, steeled my shoulders, and raised my glass with a smirk. Her eyes narrowed before she turned away with a huff.

I could almost hear the usual whispers—"heartless," "cold," "unfeeling." Tossing back my drink, I called a waiter over and snatched the bottle from his tray.

"Woah," a man slid into the seat beside me, "the whole bottle? Really?"

I turned, ready with a scathing retort, but my words froze. Dark hair tumbled over a face of exquisite bone structure: high cheekbones, sharp jawline dusted with stubble, and a full pink mouth. He wore a dark Armani suit with a silk shirt unbuttoned at the throat.

"I don’t see how that’s any of your business," I managed, taking a deep swig.

"I was planning to have the waiters keep the glasses coming, but I think I’ll take a cue from you." He signaled a server. "What are we drinking to?"

"My ex-boyfriend and sister’s wedding."

He winced. "Ouch."

"And watching my position and inheritance handed over to them on a silver platter."

"Double ouch."

I took another gulp, felt the alcohol burn, then held the bottle out to him. "The servers are probably busy. Get a head start."

His fingers brushed mine as he took it, sending currents racing up my arm. He closed his mouth over the bottle’s rim, and a rush of heat pooled in my stomach. His mouth was where mine had been—an indirect kiss I couldn’t ignore.

"What are you drinking to?"

He shrugged. "Can’t I just drink in camaraderie?"

"You can. But I know you’re not."

He chuckled deeply. "Let’s just say I’m not a fan of weddings."

"You’re anti-love?"

"Not all weddings are about love."

I arched a brow. "So, a pessimist and a wedding hater. Interesting. Any redeeming qualities?"

He drank again before passing the bottle back, careful not to touch me this time. "Let’s see… I can’t think of any except honesty."

I raised the bottle in a mock toast. "I wish Zane had had the balls to tell me he was done before my sister showed up with a rock the size of a planet on her finger."

"I’m starting to think the beloved groom’s a bit of an asshole."

I snorted. A bit was generous.

"And the bride is right behind him in the asshole race."

I spluttered, nearly choking. "There are plenty more to add to that list. Like this one CEO who’s determined to tear our company to shreds."

"You’re surrounded by assholes."

I glanced at my parents with the happy couple, my stomach turning before I looked away.

"Do you want to get out of here?" he asked.