My Best Friend Stole Him. So I Stole Better. Chapter 10
Over the next few days, I chatted with Sienna the way I used to.
“I’ve been cold with Julian because he stood me up.”
“Honestly, I used to think he was great, but now I’m seeing some real flaws in his personality. Feels like we’re just not on the same page…”
Sienna immediately jumped in to reassure me.
“No way! You’re overthinking it.”
As for Julian—he kept up the same detached routine.
Until the day of my birthday, when I walked into the ballroom at The Plaza in an evening gown.
Sienna came in and immediately zeroed in on my mother.
“Julian’s actually a good guy. But he doesn’t seem to feel that way about Summer. I’m worried she’s getting her hopes up.”
My mother regarded her strangely.
“Summer’s engaged. Why would she be tangled up with him?”
Sienna shook her head, giving her a chiding little look.
“Verbal agreements aren’t really engagements, are they? It needs to be formal. Otherwise people will think it’s a joke. If the families haven’t even met, how does it count?”
My mother tuned out the second half and nodded gravely.
“You’re right. I need to make the announcement tonight.”
I watched from behind them as Sienna’s smile widened. My heart went cold.
Then I stepped out in my dress and thanked everyone for coming.
“There’s one more thing I want to announce—I’m engaged.”
The triumph drained from Sienna’s face, replaced by panic.
She raised her voice: “Summer, wait! I need to say something!”
“Julian and I are together. I’m sorry, we kept it from you because we didn’t want to hurt your friendship, but we’re truly in love. Julian doesn’t have feelings for you. You can’t hold him hostage like this.”
I waited, half-smiling, until she was done.
“Who said I was engaged to Julian? I’ve never met his parents. We were never even together.”
“I’m engaged to Ethan.”
Right on cue, Ethan appeared beside me. The smile vanished from Sienna’s lips.
She stared, horrified.
“What?! What’s going on—doesn’t he love me?”
Ethan looked at her, cold.
“I love Summer. We’re getting engaged. You may be Summer’s friend, but watch what you say.”
“Besides—you and Julian are together, aren’t you? Why can’t Summer and I be? We’re very much in love. We’ll be married next year. Everyone with sincere well-wishes is welcome.”
Julian’s eyes went colder still.
He stared at Ethan. Through his teeth: “Why?”
Before he could finish, I signaled security to escort them both out.
I wasn’t about to let them ruin my birthday.
Picturing the looks on their faces as they were marched out, I burst out laughing.
Sienna called me. I answered, cheerful.
Her voice was frantic. “Summer, are you saying this because you’re upset that Julian and I are together?”
“Are you—are you two mad at us? But we’re friends. Can’t you understand?”
I answered slowly. “Yes. We are friends. And Ethan and I are together. Shouldn’t you be happy for us?”
“Actually, we stopped loving both of you a while ago. We didn’t know how to tell you—we were worried you’d be upset. But since you two are together now, surely you can put yourselves in our shoes?”
I hung up.
Best birthday I’d had in a while.