hadn’t. Since he’d lain eyes on Allison O’Connor, Stevie knew things had changed. No matter how much Rob tried to hide it, she knew he was attracted to the young Sydney socialite. And that secret smile he directed towards Ally as she danced with her little cousin, CeCe, confirmed it.
Shifting her focus back to Noel and Clara dancing, Stevie was envious. The way Noel looked at her best friend with such love made her jealous. It was disgusting how jealous she was. She was happy for them, but a love like theirs was only for the privileged and the pure. A love like theirs was only for them and no one else. Everyone who watched were intruders. Outsiders looking in.
“It’ll happen for you.”
She turned her head and instantly grinned at the man next to her. His freckles had always made her feel better about herself. If she had ever wanted to make someone proud, then it would always be him.
“Big talk for someone who already has it,” she teased.
Jarred sighed and then gave her a tight smile. “Stevie, don’t be so hard on yourself. What they have, what Annie and I have, is something that you’ll have someday. You’re a good person who made a mistake. Don’t punish yourself for the rest of your life. You deserve love. Just don’t run or you’ll miss out.”
I already had it.
I already ran.
I already missed out.
The guilt weighed heavily on her chest, the memories threatening to resurface. She had left him. She’d given him no reason or chance. She had just wanted to vanish.
I was afraid to be in love with him.
I was afraid that maybe he could love me.
It was too spontaneous.
It didn’t make sense.
“I don’t deserve love, Jarred. You were in London. You saw what kind of person I really am. What I’m really capable of,” Stevie reminded.
“Don’t. You’ve come a long way since then. You were lost. I don’t judge you based on those times. I know what a kindhearted person you are. You are responsible for that,” Jarred said, pointing at Noel as he kissed his wife.
The only thing she had ever done right in her life was making sure Clara found her way back to Noel. Convincing Liam had been easy. All it took was alcohol to get him to open up. Clara had been a tougher task—she had almost given up her happiness for Liam’s.
“I didn’t do anything. It was all them.”
Jarred snorted. “You were the one to convince Liam to go to Boston. You know Clara is forever grateful to you.”
Stevie gazed down at the envelope and then back at her stepbrother. “I’m going to miss her,” she confessed in a small voice.
Jarred’s hand rested on her shoulder. Then he nodded and said, “Me, too. You know, one day someone is going to want to love you the way Noel loves Clara… maybe even more.”
Stevie’s heart ached. She wanted a love like theirs, but she knew she didn’t deserved it. Not when she’d had it. Not when she’d decided it was better to walk away than feel it. And after that last morning in Thailand, she had decided she never wanted to feel anything as intense as what she had with Julian. No matter how much she wanted it.
“Are you excited to move into your new home with your new husband in Boston?” Stevie asked after Clara had finished her father-daughter dance and joined her by the tables.
Clara’s smile faded as she began to fiddle with her wedding ring. Then she sighed. “Honestly, Stevie, I’m terrified.”
She frowned and peeked over at Noel as he laughed with Clara’s brother, Alex. “Why?”
The bride’s lips made a tight smile. “Just don’t tell him that I am, okay? I’m scared I’m going to be a terrible wife,” she confessed.
Stevie exhaled in relief. She’d never understand that one thing about her best friend. Clara was always so unsure of her worth. Her insecurities had her running away on so many occasions. They shared that, though Stevie had never told her.
“Clara, you’re going to be an excellent wife. You shouldn’t worry about that.” Stevie clutched Clara’s arm and gave it a reassuring squeeze.
“I gave up The Pepper Point,” Clara stated as she reached for a champagne glass from the waiter who had walked past.
Stevie’s eyes widened at the news. “You gave up an entry position at the best restaurant in the Southern Hemisphere?”
Clara quickly downed the champagne and then nodded. “It wasn’t an entry position. They offered me head dessert chef. I’d