Chapter Twelve
Avery draggedme to the kitchen. “You can’t seriously marry thatman!”
Sadie pointed to a chair at the table. “Listen, we love you, and we’ll support you no matterwhat.”
My head throbbed. I wanted to close my eyes and make the world stop moving long enough to catchup.
“No, we won’t!” Avery pushed up her sleeves. “Thank goodness he fled like a coward, or I would’ve handled this southernstyle.”
I sat in the middle of the kitchen, feeling like I was in shock after an accident. Everyone was talking and yelling at me, but I sat there as if I was stuck inside a plastic room with muffled sound from the outsideworld.
“We’ll support you, and you know we will.” Sadie pulled out a chair, sat down, and then pointed at the one next to her. “Now sit, Avery. You’re not helpinganyone.”
Averyacquiesced.
I stared at the nice ring on my finger. It was a gold band with a diamond solitaire. It was pretty and a big diamond. Of course, I expected no less from Edward. “You ran him out of town. What do youexpect?”
Avery bit her bottom lip, which I’m sure was to keep her from saying anything to make thisworse.
“Can you please just tell us why you want to marry him?” Sadie asked in a sinceretone.
I ran my nail along the crack of the table. “He’s perfect for me. An intellectual, romantic, and we have a lot incommon.”
“You have a lot in common with the guy who bags our groceries, but you’re not marrying him,” Averysaid.
“He didn’t ask.” I laughed, but when it went stone silent, I decided there was no place for humor in thisdiscussion.
Sadie shot Avery a sideways glance and then sat back and crossed her arms over her chest. “Tell us what happened with Kevin. I know somethinghappened.”
“Nothing to tell. Same old thing that always happens around here. He made me think he cared about me, but the entire time he was planning onleaving.”
“I don’t believe that.” Avery smacked her palm to the tabletop. “Noway.”
“I saw the letter of acceptance myself. He’s going toTexas.”
Sadie took my hand. “Oh, hon. I don’t understand why he would do something like that. Have you spoken to him aboutit?”
“No. What’s to talk about? He’s leaving, I’m not. It’s our father all overagain.”
Avery and Sadie looked at each other. “Not every man is like our father. Look at Dylan andAshton.”
“And look at Edward. He wants me with him. Don’t you care that I’m with someone who won’t runaway?”
Sadie rubbed her temples and leaned toward the table. “Yes, of course, but I want someone who loves you more thanhimself.”
“He does, I promise. Listen, nothing I say will change your mind. You’ll just have to trust me.” I pleaded with my eyes to them both but saw they weren’t budging. “The idea of me marrying a man you won’t accept into your lives is going to crush me.” I shifted in my chair and eyed the ring again. My chest ached so bad, I rubbed my sternum. “I supported both of you when Ashton and Dylan swept you off yourfeet.”
“We didn’t say we wouldn’t accept him. If you marry him, then he’s family,” Sadie said, but Avery couldn’t even look atme.
“Wait.” I pushed my chair back. “I can’t tell you, but you can read how much he loves me. I’ve got a pile of letters from him in my backpack. Hold on.” I ran to the bedroom and eyed the backpack. The letters inside showed how much he loved me. Would cherish me forever. He’d spent so much time handwriting these notes and searching for the perfect, most romantic quote. There was no man in the world who would do that besidesEdward.
I grabbed my backpack and returned to the kitchen. “He’s always copying poems and short story quotes and sending them to me. They’re perfect and written in the most elegant script.” I froze at the idea of his perfect handwriting. It was the same.Always.
“What is it?” Averyasked.
I eyed Avery. “Where is the package that my purse was sentin?”
She shrugged. “Garbage, I think.Why?”
