Chapter One
Maisey
Iwould rather be anywhere else.
Literally, anywhere.
Not that it matters what I want. Not when it comes to my stepsister, Patty’s stagette weekend. Nope, that’s mandatory.
Never mind the fact that not only do I not have the funds to be in Las Vegas for this weekend of celebrating a woman who has spent the better part of her life actively hating me and making my existence unbearable, but according to my bank account and the handful of creditors who won’t stop calling, I don’t have enough money to exist. Period.
I’ll be the first to admit it’s my own fault. A little bit of consumer debt can get out of hand pretty quickly. Especially when the only job I could find out of college was a minimum-wage waitressing gig. Apparently, a degree in art history isn’t as in-demand as I’d hoped. And my art certainly isn’t paying the bills.
My phone is buzzing in my pocket as we set foot into the bar that Patty thought would befun and flirty.I’m certainlynot an expert in relationships, but I don’t understand why, only weeks before your wedding, you should feel the need to flirt with anyone else.
“Isn’t this great?” Patty, wearing a ridiculous tiara and bright pink sash marking her as thebride-to-be,raises her arms and turns in a slow circle the moment we set foot in what looks to be a country bar.
“And look at all the sexy cowboys,” one of Patty’s friends, whose name doesn’t matter, coos.
My stepsister jabs an elbow in my ribs. “Maybe even you can find someone who might dance with you, Maisey.” She laughs as if it’s the most hysterical thing in the world. Which, to her, it probably is. Even though we aren’t related by blood, I still think it’s unfair that she was blessed with the tall, thin body, golden hair, and bright blue eyes while I got stuck in a five-foot-two, a-little-too-round body with frizzy brown hair that refused to be tamed.
“At least yournamefits in here.” Patty cackled before leading her friends into the bar, all eyes trained on her. As usual.
For a moment, I consider making a break for it. But I’d promised my dad I’d be nice. For some reason, my stepmom, Rhonda, thinks it’s important that I’m part of all the wedding festivities. She insists that one day, Patty and I will both be happy we’d made the effort.
So far, I don’t agree.
But I want to make my dad happy, and Rhonda makes my dad happy. So, if Rhonda’s happy…
This time when my phone buzzes, I pull it out and instantly wish I hadn’t. The only thing worse than a debt collector calling is another rejection email from the last round of jobs I’d applied for.
With a sigh, I turn my phone off completely, shove it to the bottom of my purse, and join Patty and the group wherethey’re clustered around a table covered in over-the-top signage announcing a wedding about to take place.
Of course. Leave it to Patty to find all things nuptial. Even on a night out.
“Ssh. She’s here.” One of the bridesmaids spins around when she sees me, and the others instantly start giggling.
“What’s that?” I try to peer around them, but the wall of bridesmaids is blocking whatever it is Patty’s doing. Not that I care. I need a drink.
“Okay,” Patty squeals as she turns around and sees me. “Let’s go find us some cowboys to dance with!”
I try not to groan. Truthfully, there are a lot of good-looking men in the bar. Very good-looking. But almost every single one has a cowboy hat and a big buckle on their belt.
Not my style.
Even if I were in the market for a man.
And I’m not.
Especially not if having a man means prancing around in a stupid pink satin sash and a tiara as a grown woman while every female who’s ever been part of your life pretends to be your best friend just because you’ve said yes to a man who’ll probably cheat on you before your first anniversary.
Ask me how I know.
No, thank you.
“Who wants to get married?”
I spin around to see who’s asking, but the loud cheer from the crowd snaps me to reality, and I follow their gaze to the stage where a man in a tuxedo is standing with a microphone.
