Now I’m Someone Else’s Bride

As I was hauling the last box out of the apartment, my neighbor spotted me. "Hey! Off on your honeymoon? I've been seeing all of Liam's posts from the trip. The scenery is gorgeous! Though, I have to say, that woman he's with in the photos doesn't look much like you."

I shook my head. "That's not me. We didn't get married. I'm single now."

My neighbor's eyes widened slightly, and she gave me a knowing, sympathetic nod.

Just as I slipped into my car, my phone rang. It was Liam, finally remembering he'd missed his own wedding. "Did your relatives give you a hard time at the wedding? How are your parents?"

"They're fine. No one said anything."

"I'll be home Sunday. I want you to make your roasted ribs; Scarlett's been craving them. Oh, and clean the apartment. Scarlett's going through a tough time and has nowhere to go, so she's going to stay with us for a few months."

"Clean it yourself. I'm busy."

Liam's voice turned nasty. "Don't give me that 'I have a job' crap. You have plenty of time. Who do you think you're kidding? Clean the apartment now, or you can pack your bags and Scarlett can have the master bedroom."

"Oh," I said, and hung up.

A moment later, a long list of Scarlett's needs landed in my texts. He wanted me to buy her the best of everything but hadn't sent a single dollar. He actually expected me to fund a shopping spree for his precious childhood friend.

"After you've got all her stuff, drive to the airport and pick us up. And make sure you disinfect the whole house before we get back. Scarlett's a germaphobe."

"Also, find a new home for your cat, Milo, in the next couple of days. Scarlett doesn't like cats, and she's allergic."

Following Liam's barrage of texts was one from Scarlett herself.

She sent me a message dripping with fake innocence, but it was clearly a flex: "I'm so, so sorry. I didn't mean to impose, but Liam insisted. He said I should make myself at home, and since I'm his best friend, you'll treat me like your best friend too, right?"

They were probably both waiting for me to explode, just like I used to. But to their surprise, I simply blocked both their numbers and immediately listed the condo—which was in my name—for sale.

From that moment on, Liam was a stranger to me.