Back home for the summer, Andrea was eager to reconnect with Daisy, her effortlessly cool high school friend who was getting married. However, Daisy’s pre-wedding party turned into a nightmare when Daisy recognized the man in one of Andrea’s photos as her fiancé.

The drive home had been long but peaceful, with the windows down, and the warm breeze carrying hints of pine and wildflowers. Andrea was feeling good. Maybe too good.

A few days before, her phone had buzzed with a text from her mom. “You got a wedding invite from Daisy. It’s on the counter.”

Daisy. Andrea’s heart did that little flip it used to do whenever Daisy passed by in the school hallway. In high school, Daisy was the person everyone wanted to be. She could transform a thrifted hoodie into Paris Fashion Week haute couture.

After graduating, Daisy stayed in their hometown while Andrea went out of state for college.

They mostly lost touch, their friendship reduced to the kind that only existed in text threads. A “Merry Christmas!” here, a “Happy Birthday!” there; polite check-ins that didn’t open the door for real conversations.

Now, Daisy was getting married. Of course, she was. Andrea texted her, not expecting a response, but Daisy replied right away.

“Yes, girl! Caleb finally proposed. Summer wedding so all my old friends could be here. You better be there.”

It was the kind of message that made it sound like they had never stopped talking. And just like that, Andrea was pulled right back into Daisy’s orbit.

By the time Andrea pulled into her parents’ driveway, she was practically vibrating. The house was the same, yet it felt smaller than she remembered.

Not ready to settle in for the night, after some half-hearted hugs from her folks, she changed into her best “I’m not trying too hard” outfit and headed to the local bar.

That’s where she met Ron.

He was leaning over a pool table, lining up a shot like it was rocket science. Dark hair, sharp grin, and a little glint in his eye suggested he was in on a joke no one else knew. Andrea had just ordered a drink when he caught her watching.

“Want me to teach you a trick shot?” he asked, tilting his head toward the table.

“Depends,” Andrea said, taking a sip of her drink. “Are you any good at it?”

His grin widened, and he held out a pool cue. “Guess you’ll have to find out.”

They played a few rounds, the banter as sharp as the whiskey Andrea shouldn’t have ordered. Ron leaned in close, showing her how to angle the cue, his hands guiding hers just enough to send a spark down her arm.

His voice was low in her ear, warm as a campfire. When she made the shot, he threw his hands up in mock surrender. “Alright, I’m impressed,” he said, eyes crinkling at the edges.

They didn’t discuss jobs or last names as the night wore on, and they definitely didn’t exchange numbers. It was just one of those nights that exists perfectly on its own.

“Maybe I’ll see you around,” Andrea had said much later when Ron kissed her goodnight at her car.

“Maybe,” he replied, with a smile full of cocky confidence.

Andrea ran into Ron again that weekend, and they spent another great evening together, leading her to think she might have found herself a hot summer fling. Little did she know it could turn into a disaster.

Things went sour during a pre-wedding girls’ night at Daisy’s place. Girls were draped over the couches like a Vogue spread, and for once, Andrea didn’t feel like she had to try so hard to fit in.

About two cocktails in, Daisy clapped her hands. “Alright, confession time. Worst dating story. I’ll start.”

Andrea expected ghosting stories, weird dates, maybe an ex popping up at the wrong moment. But she had a more noteworthy tale to share.

“Not the worst, but unforgettable,” Andrea said, scrolling through her phone. “First night back, I met this guy at a bar. Total heartthrob, and naturally, I snapped a picture.”

She tapped the screen and showed them. The reaction was immediate. Daisy’s face hardened, eyes cutting into Andrea like a hot knife.

“Where did you say you met him?” Daisy asked, her voice dripping with tension.

Andrea felt the slow creep of something bad. “The bar in town. Why?”

“But… that’s my fiancé,” Daisy said flatly, each word sharper than the last.

The room went silent as a bomb going off. Andrea half-laughed, hoping Daisy would say it was a joke. But Daisy’s eyes didn’t waver. Panic clawed up Andrea’s chest.

“Daisy, no… there’s no way. His name’s Ron. He didn’t even mention—”

“Don’t,” Daisy snapped, her voice like glass shattering. “Don’t stand there lying. That’s Caleb, my Caleb!”

Daisy’s voice climbed as she paced. The other girls watched, silent, lips tight, eyes darting between the two women like referees in a boxing match. Daisy turned on Andrea, her face twisted.

“You RUINED my wedding,” she cried out, tears sparkling in her eyes. “You’re disgusting, Andrea. Get out.”

Andrea attempted to explain, “I didn’t know! He told me his name was Ron. Daisy, I didn’t know!” But nothing went through. She grabbed her bag, her cheeks burning, and stumbled out.

Andrea was shocked and devastated. She couldn’t understand what had happened, but the answers came three days later.

Lying on her bed, Andrea’s phone buzzed. Daisy was calling.

Her hand hesitated over the screen. Certain Daisy was calling to berate her, she nearly let it go to voicemail. Still, a hopeful part of her picked up.

“Hey,” Andrea answered, voice tight.

There was a pause. Then Daisy sighed deeply. “I… I’m sorry.”

Andrea was taken aback. “What?”

“Turns out Caleb has a twin,” Daisy explained, her voice cracking with a tired laugh. “Ron. They thought it’d be funny not to tell me until now. They planned to prank the wedding.”

Daisy’s words washed over Andrea in waves. For a moment, she sat motionless, heart pounding loudly.

“Are you serious right now?” Andrea asked.

“Dead serious,” she muttered. “I accused him of cheating. Almost called off the wedding until he proved he had a twin. Next thing I know, his twin’s at my door.”

She let out a bitter breath. “I was so mad I couldn’t see straight.”

“Daisy, you screamed at me,” Andrea reminded.

“I know,” Daisy said softly. “That’s why I’m calling. I’m sorry for everything. You were right.” Her tone was soft, worn, like she had unraveled.

Andrea pressed her palm against her eyes, pushing back the flood of emotions. “Okay,” she whispered. “It’s okay.” It wasn’t, not entirely, but for Daisy, Andrea could pretend it was enough.

“Please come to the wedding. I really want you there,” Daisy said.

“I’ll be there, Daisy.”

Andrea showed up in her best dress. Daisy embraced her warmly, like nothing ever happened, which was Daisy’s gift: making you feel like you completely belonged.

Later, at the reception, Andrea spotted Ron leaning on the bar, hands in his pockets, with his familiar smile. He saw her and raised an eyebrow in surprise.

Andrea approached, arms crossed. “You owe me an apology, Ron.”

He blinked innocently. “For what?”

“Don’t play dumb,” Andrea said, lips twitching with amusement. “Your game with Caleb almost ruined a wedding, and I got caught in the middle.”

Ron held up his hands. “If I’d known you knew Daisy, maybe I’d have worn a name tag?”

“Real helpful,” Andrea shot back. But she was grinning, and so was he.

“Want my number, or do we keep tempting fate?” Ron asked, glancing at his phone.

“Hand it over,” Andrea said, taking his phone to enter her number.

He beamed. “Smart. You seem like someone I shouldn’t let slip away.”

Andrea looked up, cheeks warming at his words. Maybe he was right.