Noah knelt.
He opened the velvet box.
Gracie’s hands flew to her mouth.
Then she began nodding so hard her curls bounced around her face.
I stayed behind the kitchen curtain until they came inside.
That night, I cried into my pillow so no one would hear.
And the thoughts running through my mind made me ashamed.
Noah could not really find Gracie more attractive than me.
Maybe he felt sorry for her.
Maybe he wanted everyone to think he was unusually kind.
Maybe there was another reason.
Money.
Approval.
Some strange desire to become part of our family without marrying me.
I hated myself for thinking those things about my own sister.
But I could not stop.
“You’ll Be My Maid of Honor”
The next morning, Gracie entered my bedroom carrying her laptop.
“Will you help me make a wedding board?”
I forced a smile.
“Of course.”
