He produces a flask and tosses it over. I catch it, screw off the top, and sip. I let out a hiss. “Are you kidding me?”
“Cheapest vodka I could find.”
“Jesus, Luke.”
“I love that stuff. Don’t hog it.”
I pinch my nose and take another sip before closing the cap and tossing it back. He slips the flask away and watches as I compose myself. I hate the tension in this room, hate the way he’s waiting for me to break down.
I won’t do it. Even if I want to. I’m going to get through this day, and the next one, and the ones after that, if only to spite everyone who doubts me.
Oh, Regan Corrigan, the poor crazy girl who got dumped?
Luke makes a show of checking his watch and tapping the face expectantly. I wave him off, do my last minute prep, use the bathroom, and present myself at the door.
“Do me a favor, okay?” I ask as we step into the hall together. “Make sure the drop is long enough that my neck snaps.”
He grunts. “You have a sick sense of humor.”
“Didn’t realize I was joking.”
We walk together toward the chapel. The sound of milling guests echoes through the narrow halls. The ceremony is taking place at one of the biggest churches in the city, a fact my mother has made sure to tell me multiple times leading up to now.
“If it helps at all, I asked around about Liam.” He keeps his eyes grimly forward, not looking at me. “He’s hard to get a read on, but everyone I’ve talked to says some variation of the same thing. He’s solid. He’s dependable.”
“He’ll make a great husband?”
“Probably not, but he’ll be good to you at least.”
“God, sweep me off my feet now. I’m head over heels forgood to me at least.”
“Come on, Regan. I know this is fucking crazy, but everyone’s trying?—“
“Maybe that’s the problem?” I stop and turn on him, my heart racing into my throat. “Everyone’s trying so hard to make this work instead of asking if we should be doing it at all. Seriously Luke, your sister is about to marry a total stranger, all for dad’s business. Isn’t that insane? Why are we all letting this happen?”
He looks at the ground. For a desperate moment, I think he might agree, might even say something to help my situation. Maybe he’ll offer to get me the hell out of here. But instead, he only shakes his head.
“You don’t understand. It’s not Dad’s business… it’s the whole organization, Regan. This is going to change our life. You’ll see.”
If there was any hope left in me at all, it gets crushed under his lifeless expression. I gather myself, force a smile on my face to keep from throwing up, and slip my hand through Luke’s arm.
“Yeah, you’re right. It’ll be fine. I know it will.”
“Regan—“
“Let’s go, okay? Dad’s waiting and God knows Mom will literally murder me if we hold up her precious schedule.”
He seems like he wants to say something else, but instead we start walking. “You should’ve heard her comments about my tie. Apparently, it’s not the right color.”
“Monster.”
“Guilty.” He pats my arm as we step out into the atrium. It’s quiet now as the guests are gathered in the main room. Dad’s near the doors with the wedding planner. Piano music filters out. “You’ll be alright. I’ll see you when it’s over.”
“Yeah. I’ll see you.” I want to grip him, hold on to him, but he pulls away and walks off, pausing only to say something to Dad before slipping into the chapel.
Leaving me alone to face this nightmare.
I have a few quiet seconds to steel myself before my father comes over. He doesn’t look happy as he checks his watch and gets themove itsign from the planner. “It’s our turn,” he grunts briefly before fixing me with a hard look. “You’re good?”
