The Girl I Once Loved: Love & Hate Duet

The day of Daisy’s bridal shower has arrived, and I can feel the tension in the air as we get ready. Daisy has been on edge ever since the invitations went out. The event is being thrown by Derrick’s parents, who have made it abundantly clear that they disapprove of Daisy because she doesn’t come from a long line of blue-blooded socialites like they do…or at least that’s my guess. It’s not like I’ve asked his parents why they don’t like my perfect sister.

Daisy, determined to win them over, has been practicing her polite smiles and polite small talk. She’s peppered me with questions over the years about the rich friends I’d met at Dartmouth, and asked if I’m sure about her dress choice a million times.

It’s unnerving to see her like this—unsure of herself. She’s had years of attending fancy soirées with Derrick, and going on vacations with his family. But evidently, nothing she’s done has worked to get their approval.

As we sit in her room, surrounded by dresses and makeup, I take her hand and look into her eyes. ‘Daisy, you know you don’t have to try so hard for them, right?’ I say softly, my concern evident in my voice. ‘Their approval isn’t going to change Derrick’s opinion of you.’

Daisy turns to me, her eyes filled with determination. ‘Skylar, family means everything to me. I want Derrick’s parents to accept me as a part of their family, just like I want my family to be a part of our lives.’

I couldn’t argue with her sentiment. Daisy’s unwavering love and dedication to her family had always been one of her most endearing qualities.

But it also had guilt threading through my veins, because I’d completely deserted my family all these years. I’d once thought family meant everything to me too. And look what I’d done.

‘I understand, Daisy,’ I reply, my voice tinged with regret. ‘I just don’t want to see you change who you are to please them. You’re amazing just the way you are.’

Daisy smiles warmly and throws her arms around me, squeezing me tight. I love how Daisy hugs me with her whole self. No one else gives hugs like that. ‘Thanks, babycakes. I won’t change who I am, but I’ll always try to make a good impression.’

I nod still feeling uneasy about the event. I’d be seeing Stacy again too. After our last disastrous conversation, I’m sure it’s going to be a pleasant experience.

Not.

What is it about this place that I’ve come home and immediately felt like I’ve been thrown back in time?

We finish getting ready, and Daisy looks absolutely stunning. Unlike her wedding dress…this dress was flown in from Paris. It’s a gorgeous white lace dress that embodies elegance and simplicity. The bodice is fitted, accentuating her slender waist, and the skirt flows gracefully to just above her knees. It perfectly showcases Daisy’s natural beauty and radiance.

Her hair is styled in loose, romantic waves that cascade down her back, and she wears a simple pearl necklace and matching stud earrings to complement the dress’s timeless charm. It’s much more proper than my sister usually dresses, and for a second, it feels like I’m looking at a stranger.

But maybe I’m the stranger in this scenario. Because if I’d been here, I would have seen my sister become this woman who’s just as at ease in a ballroom as she is at a beach.

We step out of the room and head towards the front door…right as Noah opens it up. He stops in place and stares at me. I’m in a simple blue dress but the way he’s looking at me…

You would think I was someone special…someone awe inspiring.

“Excuse me, sir. But I’m here too,” sasses Daisy, and the effort it seems to take for Noah to drag his gaze from me to Daisy…a girl might think you were in love with a look like that.

Noah grins at Daisy, brushing his long hair out of his face. I pretend to ignore the way his muscles bulge as he moves his arm.

Why does he have to be so fucking hot? Seven years could have made him ugly.

Instead, he’s turned into a god.

If you gathered up all my ideal dream physical traits in a guy and rolled them all up…Noah would be the result.

“Beautiful as always, Daisy,” Noah drawls…but then his gaze comes back to me. He takes his time, his stare licking across my skin, leaving a trail of heat so intense, I feel like I’m burning alive.

He doesn’t say anything about the way I look.

But then again…he doesn’t need to. Because it’s written in the hunger of his gaze. Like he might die if he doesn’t fuck me against the wall right fucking now.

He passes by us, his fingers trailing against mine briefly before he disappears out of the room.

Daisy stares at me and fans her face, mouthing “oh my gosh” dramatically.

I think about socking her in the arm, but because I’m a mature adult now…I manage to hold myself back.

“Want to tell me what that was about?” Daisy asks, as we get into the car that Derrick sent over to take us to the shower.

I roll my eyes at her and shrug.

“You’ve got that look again,” she sighs.

“What look?” I ask innocently.

“The one that tells me you want to fuck Noah Fontaine…”

“Daisy!” I whisper yell in horror, staring up at the driver who is staring steadfastly in front of him, pretending to ignore us.

“What? I know a good “fuck me, please” look when I see one. Next thing you know, you’re in handcuffs and he’s calling you good girl.”

I groan and flop back against the seat. “Think it. Don’t speak it, woman.”

She leans back too and grabs my hand. “I’ll support you in whatever you want to do,” she murmurs more seriously.

I bite down on my lip and glance away from her, staring at the ocean as the car curves around the coast. “That’s never going to happen,” I tell her emphatically. But every word of that sentence feels like a lie. And judging by the way I can feel Daisy’s eyes boring into my skin…she knows it.

I’m saved by the appearance of Derrick’s parent’s house appearing in front of us.

The mansion sits majestically atop a hill, overlooking the breathtaking expanse of the coast, reminiscent of the glamor of a Kennedy compound. The sprawling estate exudes opulence and refinement, its pristine white walls contrasting beautifully with the deep blue of the ocean beyond. As we approach the entrance, I can’t help but be awed by the sheer grandeur of the place.

Of course, I’d seen the place in high school, but after all these years, I’d forgotten just how gorgeous it was.

The driveway leading up to the mansion is lined with meticulously manicured gardens bursting with vibrant blooms, adding a splash of color to the otherwise pristine landscape. Towering palm trees sway gently in the coastal breeze, their fronds rustling like a soothing lullaby.

The mansion itself is a masterpiece of architectural elegance. Its white facade is adorned with regal columns, evoking a sense of timeless charm. The windows, framed in intricate gold trim, catch the sunlight and cast a warm, inviting glow.

“You’re going to be fucking rich,” I murmur in awe, it hitting me for the first time just what kind of family Daisy is marrying into.

“They’re rich. Not me. That’s not going to change.” I shoot her a look because Derrick’s place that she’s moved into is nothing if not ridiculously fancy as well, and she wrinkles her nose at me.

We pull up in front of the house and the driver hops out and opens our door.

The front entrance is adorned with a grand staircase, leading to double doors that open into a spacious foyer. Crystal chandeliers hang from the high ceilings, their brilliant facets scattering light throughout the space. Marble floors gleam beneath our feet, and the walls are adorned with classic artwork and family portraits that tell the story of generations past.

I waggle my eyebrows at Daisy, mouthing “rich” to her, and she makes a slicing motion across her throat. I snort, taking in the old-world charm. The decor is a perfect blend of classic elegance and coastal comfort, with plush furnishings in shades of ivory and gold. The living areas are spacious, yet cozy, inviting guests to relax and enjoy the breathtaking views of the ocean beyond.

From the mansion’s vantage point, we can see the expansive grounds that stretch out before us. A meticulously landscaped garden extends to the cliff’s edge, where a picturesque view of the rugged coastline unfolds. The sound of crashing waves below provides a soothing backdrop to the grandeur of the estate.

As we enter this world of privilege and tradition, I can’t help but feel a pang of nostalgia for the simplicity of our own upbringing. Our home felt like a home. This place feels like…a museum.

It’s hard to picture my sister walking these halls. Not because she isn’t a goddess, but because I’d be scared to touch anything if I lived here.

The theme of the event is white and gold, evident in the decorations that adorn the living area that looks out to the coast. A white and gold archway marks the entrance, and crystal chandeliers hang from the ceilings, casting a soft, golden glow over the rooms. The tables are covered in white silk cloths, and golden chairs surround them. Even the place settings are meticulously arranged, with gold-rimmed plates and fine china.

I gaze around the room, my eyebrows high. ‘This is nice…’

I’m suddenly glad that Derrick’s parents are hosting the shower. Daisy deserves a perfect day like this. I would have done my best. But I do not have the party skills that these people do, that is for sure.

“Daisy,” a cool voice calls from behind us. We turn and see Derrick’s mother, Nadine, coming down another staircase. Coming down might not be the right word. She appears to be floating…in that rich person way that they must teach you as a child since they’re so good at it.

“Hello,” Daisy says, her voice smoothing into a more genteel version of how she normally speaks as Nadine air kisses her cheeks. I smirk at Daisy over Nadine’s shoulder and she glares at me, warning me not to say anything.

“Oh! This must be your sister Skylar. It’s so good to finally meet you. Gael’s parents have told me a lot about you over the years, so I feel as if I already know you,” Nadine says, turning to me.

She scans my features and I hold my head up high, like I learned back in college when mingling with my friends’ rich parents—and especially with Gael’s parents. They were always looking me over, judging whether I was good enough to be in their children’s lives. If she knows or remembers anything that happened between her daughter and I, she gives no sign.

“Everything is gorgeous,” I tell her.

She smiles. “Yes, the party planner did a great job, didn’t she,” she murmurs, and it’s not a question because she knows it’s all great—she’s not the type that would have settled for less. “I’m just going to go check on the catering, but sit back and relax, guests should be arriving at any time now.” She whisks away in a cloud of perfume, and we don’t speak until she’s out of sight.

“Does Derrick have a brother?” I joke, and it takes me a second to realize what I’ve just said. I hold in my inner flinch when I remember that the closest person to a brother Derrick has…would be Noah.

Daisy smirks as if she can read my mind. But before she can tease me about it, a bell echoes through the rooms, presumably meaning the first guests have arrived.

Nadine appears a few minutes later, and then guests start to be led in by house employees. Daisy is greeted with warm smiles and congratulatory hugs. Some of the guests I know, but a lot must be from Nadine’s circle, because I’ve never seen them before. They ooh and ahh over Daisy, and I pretend I’m not uncomfortable by stuffing my mouth with the delicious food that’s being served.

Later, I watch Daisy and my mom interact with Stacy. I wish it wasn’t so weird to have to see how close they seem. That it didn’t feel like betrayal.

But hate is a hard emotion to forget.

Almost as hard as love.

The wounds from Stacy’s betrayal have never healed. And I don’t think they will.

Going to make for a really awkward life having to see Stacy at any significant events in my sister’s life.

I watch Stacy bounce her child on her hip. She had seemed so contrite the other day, but I can’t help but wonder if it’s all an act. Can someone truly change, especially after causing so much pain?

There’s no sign that Daisy’s nervous during the shower. She focuses on the guests, profusely complimenting Nadine’s party skills. I don’t see any hint today that Nadine doesn’t accept her. She hovers by her side, proudly announcing her as her future daughter in law.

My mother sitting next to me interrupts my people-watching.

“This is nice,” she says, awkwardly.

I give her a false grin and nod, studying her face. She’s aged over the past seven years, as we all have. But you can tell it’s been the good kind of aging. The lines around her eyes and her mouth are the result of smiling, which wouldn’t have been the case before she met Curt.

“I’m—I’m glad you’re here,” she murmurs, biting into a macaron that I would bet came from a bakery in Paris.

I can tell she means it, but she won’t make eye contact with me, and the stiff way she’s holding herself…it’s just hard to bear.

This isn’t the time or place, but I can’t help but say something. “Are you ever going to forgive me?” I whisper, pretending to take a sip of my drink.

My mother flinches, and she actually looks at me.

“What do you mean? Forgive you for what?”

I hold in my eye roll. “Forgive me for leaving. All these years…we haven’t been the same. And I’m just wondering when you’re going to forgive me. Recognize everything I’ve done over the last few years.”

Her eyes are sad, her lips pursed as she takes me in. “There was nothing to forgive, Skylar. I’ve missed you. I’ve wished you would come home, but that’s all it is.”

I keep my face blank. But I’m frustrated, because I know that’s not true. Daisy clinks her spoon on her glass to make a toast though, and I remember to not make a scene.

I focus on Daisy, but I can feel my mother’s gaze on my face for the rest of the party. I stay until the end, but I catch a ride back with a neighbor instead of riding back with Daisy or my mother.

And as I lay in bed that night, I wonder if there’s anything from my past that I can fix…or move on from.