Read Online You're Still the One by Darcy Burke - Free Book Online Page A

tried not to show any reaction. She calmly tied the ribbon around the bag, ignoring the surreptitious glances sent her way.
    Alaina slid her an inquisitive glance. “I didn’t realize you guys were that serious.”
    â€œYeah, for a while.”
    Alaina’s eyes flickered with something—understanding maybe. “That was a long time ago, right?”
    â€œFive years.”
    â€œI’m sorry, I didn’t mean to cause any awkwardness,” Emily said.
    Bex chanced looking at her and was relieved to find that her gaze was sympathetic. “It’s fine. That was a long time ago.”
    Bex realized she was the lone single woman in the room. Which was fine with her. Her relationships since Hayden had been . . . short. Granted, she’d moved around enough to make a long-term relationship difficult, but it hadn’t been a challenge to keep things casual. In hindsight, she realized that not one of the men she’d dated had held a candle to Hayden. Had she subconsciously compared them all with him?
    Tori’s forehead puckered slightly as she slapped another label on a beer bottle. “Anyone know anything about the girl he’s seeing in France?”
    Bex messed up her bow and had to start over. He was seeing someone? She felt like she’d been kicked in the gut, which was stupid.
    â€œThey’re not serious in the slightest,” Emily said. “Otherwise she would’ve come.”
    Sara gathered items and arranged them in a basket. She was way behind the rest of them, but when they were all done, they could pitch in and help with the overall packaging. “Are they even seeing each other, really?” she asked, glancing at Tori. “I thought they were just friends—they work together after all.”
    â€œWell, not together-together,” Tori said. “I don’t think they interact much at work. But yeah, I guess they’re maybe just friends. I was sort of hoping he might be dating her. He could use a girlfriend.”
    Tori tossed Bex an apologetic look, and Bex responded with a nonverbal “it’s okay” smile. Except her insides were twisting into knots.
    Chloe glanced around the table. “Why aren’t we drinking? Or are we still feeling the effects of last night?” She chuckled.
    Alaina waved a hand in between stickers. “Don’t mind me. I’m just suffering the effects of this.” She glanced down at her belly then smiled. “Not that I mind.”
    This was met with laughter around the table.
    â€œBeer or wine?” Tori asked, standing.
    The consensus seemed to be wine, so Tori went downstairs to grab a couple of bottles from the Archers’ impressive cellar.
    When Tori returned, she wasn’t alone. A pack of testosterone trailed behind her, led by Kyle.
    â€œWhat are we drinking to?” he asked, going directly to Maggie then leaning down and kissing her cheek. “Hey, babe.”
    He was followed by Liam, Evan, and two men Bex had met that morning at breakfast—Sean Hennessy, Tori’s husband, and Dylan Westcott, Sara’s fiancé. Hayden brought up the rear. All the men went to their significant others and greeted them with a kiss or a caress, or both. She and Hayden sat and stood there awkwardly. Or maybe the awkward was all her.
    â€œYou need wineglasses.” Hayden turned back and went into the kitchen. Sean went with him, and a moment later they returned with stemware.
    Liam shook his head. “Oh, we’re going to need more than that. Come on, Derek.” He and Derek left, presumably to fetch more of everything.
    Evan stood next to Alaina’s chair and massaged her shoulders. “Can I get you anything?”
    She pointed to the table. “I’ve got my water bottle.”
    He smiled down at her. “Never without it.”
    They were a striking couple, and obviously very in love. They all were. It made Bex feel . . . lonely.
    Crap, what had she