Page 69 of Highlands Summer Wedding

“Why did I never know this?”

I motioned, the way sisters do, to meanhold on, I’m trying to tell you.

“The next morning I had a zillion texts. You were at the hospital. Dad had had a heart attack.”

Realization hit Caitlin and she just said “Oh.” With understanding.

“I was on a shoot, we were on a deadline. And we had just one last week of pickups before everyone scattered for the holidays. I had to stay.”

She nodded again. It had been an awkward time and one of the biggest regrets of my life and she knew it.

“I stayed to finish the film.”

We came home for Christmas. Dad was okay. But I’d missed the whole thing, hadn’t been there for you and Mom. And Dad.” My voice broke again.

“Then while I was home for Christmas, Max was back in LA getting ready to come meet the family—we were going to share our big news. But he got a phone call about a big movie with Cat Turner. He said yes. Shooting in Vancouver, May through July.

It was over the phone. I couldn’t see his face. All I knew was he was choosing film over us.

And I had chosen film over Dad.”

“And I sat therein the waiting room looking at all the families and listening to that Christmas music and staring at that text. He hadn’t called because he was on set… I couldn’t call because he was on set.

And so I didn’t reply. I mailed the ring back. And I moved back home.”

“You didn’t reply?”

“No. I mean, later. But I just ghosted him. And the thing is… the movie fell apart.”

“What happened?”

I smiled bitterly. “Cat Turner had a family emergency. Her father had a stroke, and she wanted to be with them. She pulled out, the film lost its funding, and I lost several months’ worth of deposit money and a fiancé.”

Caitlin put her arms around me. “Oh, Abby. I had no idea.”

“I mean—now, with perspective—it was absolutely her right not to take a new job during a family emergency. And Max called and texted and called, but I was going through an identity crisis. I probably still am. I definitely still am.”

“And June 18 was supposed to be your wedding, and here I am making you plan mine…”

“You’re not making me do anything. I love planning weddings. And I love you.”

“Still.”

“Well. Yeah. If you’d known.”

We still had mostof the day before the rehearsal dinner.

Caitlin had things to go over with Angus’s family, since they were officially throwing the dinner, which meant I was free.

Alone with my thoughts.

And TMZ.

And that stupid ticket stub in my wallet.

It wasn’t the best movie. It was fine. Your basic rom com. A couple had a second chance. They ended up taking it. Happily Ever After. Blah blah.

But when we went on that date, it was the first time I’d ever seen Max silence his phone.