Cherry kicks me under the table, but I don’t even wince or look in her direction. I keep decorating.
I’m being a good big sister and there’s nothing wrong with that. “Your venue has gorgeous views, but I noticed the housethere only has ten bedrooms and there aren’t any hotels within twenty-five miles. Where are you planning for the guests to stay?”
Peach freezes and looks at me, a cookie in one hand, a frosting knife in the other. “Like I said, we haven’t worked those details out yet. It’s nothing you need to worry about.”
Cherry kicks me under the table again.
I should stop. I know I should stop, but Peach doesn’t seem mad, just wary. Once she knows where I’m going with this, she’ll be grateful. “I just happened to be playing around on the Internet, looking for somewhere to go on my next vacation and I found this place that is just gorgeous. There’s a huge house right on the property that can sleep fifty guests and it has the most gorgeous views. I—”
“No,” Peach says so firmly her loose bun bounces. She sets her cookie and her frosting knife down. “I told you I don’t want your advice, Blue. And I meant it. I want to do this on my own. It’s really important to me.”
“I know. I’m not interfering. I swear. I was just scrolling on my socials the other day and came across this post about the venue you’ve chosen. It was a complete coincidence, but you should know—”
Peach holds up a hand, her mouth set in a firm line. “Blue, I love you. You are the best sister in the world. And I’m putting you on black out.”
That can’t be good. “What the hell is black out?”
“You will find out everything there is to know about the wedding with the rest of our guests when the invitations go out. Until then, you won’t be involved in any part of the wedding or the planning.”
“That’s extreme. I’m just offering a bit of information I discovered completely by accident.”
She stares me down and if it weren’t me she was holding her ground with, I’d be so proud. “I don’t believe you.”
“So, I did a little tiny bit of research. Anyone would.”
“Black out.” Peach picks up the frosting knife like the conversation is over. “You have enough to do anyway without worrying about my wedding. You can be there to help me choose my dress and you can plan the bachelorette party, but that’s it.”
“You can’t be serious.”
“Cross the line one more time and I’ll kick you out of the wedding party.”
Cherry gasps, and my chest constricts.
Peach’s eyes go glassy. “I’m sorry. I don’t want to hurt you, Blue, but I have to do this. This wedding has to be my own. Mine and Nick’s.”
“I’m just trying to help.”
“I’m asking you not to. I’m telling you, I don’t need help. I’ve got this under control.”
“But Peach—”
She crosses her arms over her chest and glares, even as a tear slips down her cheek. “I’m telling you what I need from you, Blue. Please respect me.”
“Can we negotiate the black out?”
She lowers her head. “You should go. I’ll talk to you soon.”
She’s kicking me out? I stare in disbelief, my heart twisting.
Cherry grabs my arm and pulls. “Come on, sweetie. I’ll take you home.”
I get out of my seat, watching Peach as I head for the door, but Peach doesn’t budge. She doesn’t even look at me.
My sister has officially shoved me out of her life.
CHAPTER FIVE
Blue
