Mom hums, but Dad has another question for me. “Getting ready for the big day?”
My marriage to Rob is the next step in our lives. This was expected and natural. I’d always wanted to be married before I was thirty, after all.
“I am. It’s gonna be ... busy.”
I can’t say I’m excited to see all of Rob’s massive family.My own is tiny, and the people that are coming from my side aren’t enough to fill up the huge venue Andrea booked.
“It’s your wedding, honey. You have to at least pretend to be excited.”
“It’ll be the best day of my life,” I say with a fake smile. “Is that better?”
“No. But once you’re on your honeymoon, I bet you’ll feelbetter. I can’t believe you asked for a cruise of all things. You’ve come so far with your fear of water.”
I struggle to keep my face straight at the mention of water. I’d managed to get both Mom and Dad to believe that I had conquered my fear. Or at least it didn’t stop me. But the truth is, I’m going on a cruisefor Rob. This is what he wants, not what I want. When I agreed to do this, I’d hoped he would hear me out on living in my house and not his apartment.
So far, I’ve not had any luck. He reminded me that his parents were paying for the entire wedding and reception. Usually, the bride’s family pays for that, but Mom and Dad hadn’t been able to afford the wedding Rob wanted. All they could do was pull together enough savings to give us the honeymoon.
I’m hoping that I’ll manage to have fun, but deep down, I’m afraid that it’ll be just as miserable as planning this wedding has been. It’s very possible our happily ever after isn’t going to start until the wedding and honeymoon are over.
“Yeah, I’m growing as a person. Rob does that to me.”
“He’s the only person besides Nate who’s managed it.” Mom laughs. I try not to let any emotion show at the lie. Nateisstill the only person that can drag me out of my life and make me do something fun. Rob’s tried, but it always ends in a fight.
Just thinking of Nate makes me flip over to his location again. I pause when I see that he’s leaving the bar and heading to my house early.And judging by how fast his little icon is moving, he’sbookingit.
“Uh, guys?” I start. “I have to go. I think Nate’s plans changed.”
“Is he coming over?”
“Yes, I think so.”
“Can’t I just say hi? I’ve missed him ever since school let out. He’s the best coworker ever.”
“I think this is a best-friend-emergency moment.” In fact, I know it is as I watch him take a shortcut to get to me.
“Fine, but you’ll have to let me know if something’s wrong. I’ll help him in any way I can.”
“I will.” I don’t want to tell her that I don’t think anything is going to be wrong withhim. I have a feeling this is going to be directed towardme.
Both of them say their goodbyes right as Nate’s SUV barrels into my driveway. He’s at my door before I even open it.
“We need to talk.” He’s out of breath as he looks at me with wide eyes. “And you’ll wanna sit down for this.”
In the shaky video,Rob laughs into the mic like he’s having the time of his life. “It’s hard to believe I’m getting married in two days.”
“Hell yeah it is!” one of his friends, Scott, shouts.
“You all know I just wanted to get into Maisie’s pants when I first met her. Hell, I still do. All the time. It definitely makes up for the ...”
“Bitchiness?” Scott says. My jaw drops at the word as Rob considers it. He doesn’t even correct his friend.
“Boringness?” a guy I haven’t even met adds.
“Her general nature,” is what Rob lands on. “But the important thing is, she’s mine. And she’ll stay mine. Forever.”
“Until you hate her.” Scott snickers.
“I’ve had plenty of moments where I’ve hated her. You all know that. But still, when she’s looking at me, I feel like I’ve won. She’s the best prize I could ask for. And that’s why I’m marrying her.”
