Page 8 of Runaway Bride’s Husband

Daniel visibly relaxed, blowing out a long, slow breath before he glanced down at me and smiled, flashing a glimpse of his perfectly straight, perfectly white teeth. “Are you alright?”

Well, our children probably won’t have dental issues, so… “Yeah. Sure. Perfect. You?”

The corners of his mouth twitched slightly as he shrugged. “Yeah. Sure. Perfect.”

I chuckled, convinced that he knew I was lying and, by repeating my own words back to me, was probably lying himself, but neither of us called the other out on it. That was the thing about Daniel. He was always so kind and polite, but he acted like there was nothing different or remarkable about what we were doing. As hard as I tried, I just couldn’t pretend like a rehearsal dinner shouldn’t have been special.

It should have. This was the rest of our lives we were starting together, but as I played my role, smiling and extending my hand when I was supposed to, I was just wishing that time could go a little bit faster.

Meanwhile, Cathy was taking her role a lot more seriously. She was in the middle of negotiating a bridal party crisis with the wedding coordinator, insisting that the bridesmaids would block the flowers if they stood where they’d been told to.

I glanced at the women in question, all of whom I knew but wasn’t friends with. My mom and Cathy had handpicked them for their families’ wealth and connections. They’d gone to the right schools, attended the right galas, and vacationed in the right places, and that was the important thing.

These were the kind of girls I was supposed to have befriended. The sort the press expected at my side when I married Daniel.

Eventually, after we’d run through the whole thing again, Cathy and the coordinator reached some sort of ceasefire and the coordinator finally announced that we were done. Without waiting to be told I could leave, I started skirting away from the others, praying for just one hour to gather my thoughts and chill alone.

One incredible hour in which nobody touched my hair, adjusted my dress, or asked me to smile. Heaven. Bliss. Yes, please.

Unfortunately, I made it less than six steps before Cathy caught on. “Maggie, where are you going? It’s time to get ready.”

My eyes slid shut. Damn it.

By the time I’d turned to face her, however, I was smiling again. I followed her back to my suite. There goes my one hour of peace, I guess.

Instead, I spent the next three hours feeling like I was being prepared for some kind of battle, but when we walked into the restaurant where the rehearsal dinner was being held, I still felt woefully unprepared.

Oh, God. It’s really sinking in now.

My heart started racing, but mercifully, my brothers rescued me and I spent at least twenty minutes completely surrounded by the five of them. They tucked me between them, shielding me from guests, reporters, and family alike.

It felt like a holiday, but unfortunately, it didn’t take long for a photographer to wiggle her way into our circle. She was smiling politely, clearly unbothered by the scowls my brothers sent her.

“Hi, there. I’m Annie from Bride Magazine,” she said happily. “I’m sorry for interrupting. I’m mostly here for the decorations tonight. They’re gorgeous, by the way, but if you’re available, I’d love to get a picture of you and the groom as well.”

I blinked a couple times, wondering why she’d apologize for interrupting and ask if I was available in the same sentence. Clearly, I wasn’t available. I was very much busy being protected by my brothers, thank you very much, but I relented anyway.

“Of course.” I smiled. “Let’s just find⁠—”

Daniel appeared by my side like magic, a unique mix of charm and business as he inclined his chin at her. “My father mentioned you’d like to take some pictures. Shall we?”

She beamed. “We shall. Let’s go over there.”

Pointing toward a giant mirror with our names and the date engraved on it near the restaurant entrance, she took off without waiting for us to agree and we followed, neither of us saying a word as we followed her instructions on where to stand. Daniel brought his hand to my waist, smiling as he leaned toward me.

“Perfect,” Annie said, lifting her camera. “Just a little closer.”

I inched into his side, mimicking Daniel when he looked directly into the camera, but as the photographer crouched to get her shot, I suddenly saw my father with Nora and Ryan. They were standing on the far side of the room, with Ryan gesturing animatedly as he spoke. My father burst out laughing and I almost frowned. Cliff Pembroke in stitches was not a common sight. He was a very serious man indeed, not someone who laughed easily at all, and yet, Ryan practically had him doubled over.

Meanwhile, as the photographer kept taking her pictures, I found myself watching Ryan instead of the camera, honestly curious about what he could possibly be saying that my father found so amusing. Whatever it was, it sure looked like a lot more fun over there than it was here.

My heart gave a little pang, but then Daniel murmured against my ear and I remembered that I was not here to ogle a pretty boy from across the room. The man at my side was going to be my husband, so I blinked myself out of my trance instantaneously and looked up at him.

“How big is this magazine?” he asked quietly. “Bride, I mean. Because their photographer isn’t letting up. She’s been all over tonight.”

I shrugged but managed to offer him a small smile. “They’re pretty big, and apparently, they’re interested in doing a full profile of our wedding. I think she just wants to make sure she covers every angle.

Daniel sighed when she scooted only a couple inches forward before lifting her camera again. “We must make a pretty couple.”