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Now all I need to do is convince the world I'm in love with Madden Windell.

Chapter 11

Madden

Walking up to my parents' door, I square my shoulders and brace myself for Mom’s reaction to my impending marriage to Odette. I know she wasn’t really on board with me marrying someone who’s not in our social circle and doesn’t come from money, but she’s just going to have to get over it.

I imagine this news will go over very differently here than it did at the Hastings’ home this morning. Odette’s parents looked a little confused when we told them about our quick engagement, but they hugged me and still seemed ecstatic to welcome me into their family. Overall, they seemed happy for us. Apparently, their own engagement decades ago was pretty short also, though still not as short as ours—and they were also 45 when they got engaged and not 28. But still, I’m glad they’re not suspicious.

Swinging my parents’ front door open, I stride inside to the living room, where I can hear Mom typing away on her laptop. She looks up as I enter and smiles. “Well, what a surprise! To what do I owe the pleasure of seeing my eldest son?”

I chuckle and roll my eyes at her formality. “I have a bit of an announcement, actually. Is Dad home, too?”

She closes her laptop and jumps up from her seat. “Ted! Madden has an announcement!”

I hear my Dad grumbling as he saunters into the living room. “Make this quick. I’m watching golf.”

“Yes, you’re obviously a busy person.” She states bitterly.

They scowl at each other, and I clear my throat to draw their attention back to me. “I’m engaged to Odette Hastings. She knows the reason for our marriage and we already signed the paperwork with Richard Bennington to make it official. She’s going to rescue my campaign.”

Mom’s mouth gapes open for a moment, then snaps closed. “Odette? What happened to Heidi?”

“Heidi? You can’t be serious. She brings her yappy dog with her everywhere she goes!” I say with a groan.

“But she has connections that could’ve helped your campaign!”

“Stop trying to control his decisions, Diane. You’re being ridiculous.” Dad crosses his arms.

“Oh, so now I’m controlling?”

I hold my hands out in front of me like a referee. “Okay, okay. Let’s calm down. This marriage isn’t forever. It's practically a business arrangement.” I rub the back of my neck. “I know you’re not thrilled about my choice, Mom, but I’m going to need your expert event-planning abilities for the wedding… which is the weekend after Christmas.”

“That’s in a week and a half!”

“But this is your superpower. You could plan a wedding in less time, I know you could.” I’m kissing up to win her over, but I’m desperate. If Odette and I are going to convince anyone that our marriage is real, it has to look real. A courthouse ceremony won’t cut it.

“This is extremely inconvenient. Do you have any idea what you’re asking?” Mom wrinkles her nose in disgust. But after a few seconds, she begrudgingly agrees. “Fine. Does she have a dress yet? Tell me that she didn’t go pick one up from a thrift shop.”

“Stop. Odette is perfectly capable of choosing a wedding gown.” I shoot her an annoyed glance.

“If you say so. But I know an excellent shop downtown. I will make an appointment ASAP.”

“Thank you.” I start towards the door but then turn back to hand her my Visa. “You can charge it to my credit card, but please don’t go too crazy. And be nice to my fiancée.”

Odette

Mrs. Windell is a party-planner extraordinaire. Decorating and making things look fancy definitely isn’t my area of expertise, so I’m relieved that I don’t have to do any of it. As long as my dad is there to walk me down the aisle–walker and all–I’ll be happy.

It’s one week before my wedding day and I’m currently hyperventilating in my car outside a wedding dress boutique in downtown Wichita. I’ve always hated being the center of attention, so the thought of trying on dresses in front of my mom, Kate, and Madden’s mom is intimidating. I’m so absorbed by my thoughts that when Kate taps my driver’s side window, I almost jump out of my skin.

She doubles over laughing and yanks my car door open. “Are you going to sit out here forever or are you going to come inside and wow us with how beautiful you look in these wedding gowns?”

I step out of the car, and she pulls me into a hug, probably sensing my anxiety. “You know I hate being the center of attention like this. Can’t you try on the dresses and I’ll just pick my favorite?” I slump my shoulders.

“Listen, I’m sure this past week has been a lot. You got engaged to Madden Windell. Try to enjoy today, okay? Wedding dress shopping is the best part of the whole process!” Kate throws her arm around my shoulders as we walk.

“I don’t know why we can’t just wear jeans and go to the courthouse.”