I had half a mind to borrow Brian’s truck, drive to the farmhouse, and tap on her window to apologize in person. Had I not been worried about her brothers or dad thinking I was an intruder and shooting me, I might have.
Instead, I spent half the night staring at the ceiling and chastising myself for being such an idiot.
Why the fuck hadn’t I just backed off?
We were getting married tomorrow—there was no rush to adopt Ruthie. Even if she wasn’t legally my daughter, I was still going to raise her like she was.
What I should have done is talk to Jess about a will—naming me as Ruthie’s guardian should anything happen to her, like Lainey had done with Adam.
I rolled over, punched my pillow, and cursed myself again.
Dumbass!
I knew I needed to get some sleep; tomorrow was a big day, and I needed to apologize to Jessica first thing. I didn’t want us to start our marriage on a bad note.
****
Jessica
I’d seen Alan’s text last night before I went to bed, but I didn’t respond. Partly because I didn’t know what to say, andpartly because I was worried he was going to call the wedding off.
I thought I’d be braver in the morning.
I wasn’t.
In fact, after verifying what time Jade, Lainey, and Kristy were getting to the farmhouse to help me get ready, I shut my phone off and tried to keep busy.
If I was going to get stood up at the altar, I didn’t want to know ahead of time.
~~~~
I was sitting in my pink bathrobe at the white vanity I’d had since I was twelve years old while Kristy curled my hair when there was a knock at the door.
Lainey cracked it open and declared, “You can’t see her before the ceremony!”
I heard Alan’s deep voice say, “I need to talk to her. Either she’s blocked me or her phone’s shut off.”
My heart sank. This was it. He’d come to his senses and was there to tell me he was calling it off.
Although, I had to give him credit—telling me in person was decent of him to do.
Lainey told him, “I’ll let you talk to her, but you have to stay on that side of the door.”
“How about if I promise to keep my eyes closed.”
Lainey wasn’t a believer. “It’s bad luck to see each other before the wedding.”
“Actually, that’s an outdated superstition, but you have my word, I’ll keep my eyes closed.”
What did it matter if he saw me now if he wasn’t going through with it?
Kristy released the curling iron, leaving a ringlet of hair and I quietly said, “It’s okay, Lain. Alan and I should talk.”
The three ladies exchanged looks before Jade and Kristy shuffled toward the door where Lainey was keeping guard.
Lainey opened the door wider while Kristy pointed her finger at him.
“Eyes closed!”
