Not when I’m going to enter into a marriage for far less than love, but for a purpose all the same. Maybe it won’t be so bad.
He clears his throat, a vulnerability entering his voice I’m not used to hearing from him. “I wanted to reach out and see how you’re doing today. I know that yesterday was a lot. I threw a lot of information at you; the more I think about it, the more I feel like I set you up to feel like you had to say you’d marry me. Putting that kind of pressure on you is the last thing I want.” He takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly, as if the words are costing him far more than he’ll ever admit. “If you want to back out, I’ll totally understand.”
The fact that he’s offering me a way out crystallizes my decision instead of making me reconsider.
When I glance at my best friends, I can see they’re thinking the same thing.
“I’m notbacking out,” my voice is steady even though my stomach is dancing a jig in my belly. “I said I was going to help you and I meant it.”
“Okay,” the word comes out weak, but when he says it a second time, it comes out stronger. “Okay.”
I can almost picture him running his fingers through his hair, a nervous habit that wasn’t even remotely difficult to pick up on.
“I know you said a courthouse wedding was fine with you, but I wanted to double check before I make a few phone calls and set us up with a time and date.” Something shifts in his voice, like he’s forcing the words out, “My father came by yesterday after you left. He’s aware of the clause and was more than happy to rub it in my face that he’s married and I’m not, even though he has no respect for his wife or women in general.”
He pauses and the moment stretches between us. The thing is that it’s a moment I have no idea how to fill. So, I don’t.
“I don’t want to rush you,” another pause, “but I also don’t want to wait very long. You deserve more than some courthouse ceremony, and I was thinking about how to make it something special for you before he showed up. Now,” his voice goes raspy, “I’m afraid he’ll catch wind of anything with more fanfare than going down and seeing the judge. I don’t want to give him the chance to try and put a stop to it or anything.”
“You really think he’d do that?” It’s impossible to keep the surprise out of my voice. “I mean,” I try to choose my words carefully, but they come rushing out of me, “I know you said he wasn’t a good guy, but do you think he’d really try to stop you from getting married? You think he would take it that far?”
His voice turns cold, “My father is a grifter and has spent his life perfecting his craft. He’d stop at nothing to prevent me from getting married.”
My mouth opens and closes only to open again. But no words come out.
I just need a moment to realign everything I know about parents and try and find a way for his father to fit into the mix. He doesn’t.
But I also don’t doubt that what Rook is saying is true. He would know better than I would.
“The courthouse is fine and I don’t see a reason to wait at all,” I tell him, my voice wobbling slightly before finding solid ground again.
“Okay,” he breathes out, “I’ll make some calls and see when we can get an appointment.”
Before I can say anything, Mayer cuts into the call, “As soon as you know, please let us know. The ceremony is one thing, but we will be taking care of the reception. You’ll have it here, at Green Mountain High, in the event space and we’ll make sure the people who need to know and be there are. The girls and I will take care of it.”
“You don’t have to do that,” I try and cut in, but Mayer gives me the side-eye she’s been perfecting ever since Mayor Simmons decided our business is the bane of his existence.
“No,” Mayer’s voice is smooth, “we don’t have to, but we are going to. Because you’re our best friend and you’re getting married. We will be celebrating and we’re going to make sure it’s special.”
“Thank you,” Rook’s voice is filled with sincerity, a weight lifted off his shoulders. “I’ll let you know what I find out and when I can get us on the calendar.”
After hanging up I stare at the phone in my hand for a long moment. When I look up, my best friends are already watching me closely.
“I’m getting married,” I whisper while hoping this doesn’t end with me getting my heart broken.
CHAPTER 8
ROOK
I’m putting a lot of my cards on the table by showing up at Meadow’s place. It would probably be a better idea for me to give Meadow some space. But I can’t. I need to see her.
It’s been like an itch under my skin; one I couldn’t reach.
My heart is hammering inside of my chest when I knock on the door. I can hear some shuffling on the other side, which only causes my senses to heighten.
I’m about to see her again.
I might only get one chance to say everything that has been going round and round in my brain since the moment I woke up today. Maybe Ishould have said it all on the phone earlier, but it felt like this confession deserves to be done in person.
