Page 24 of Calamity Rayne Gets Hitched

I let my arms flop onto the table and shook my head. “But what about the wedding? Hale has such a specific vision and I want to give it to him, but what if I can’t pull this off? I mean, even normal women would struggle with planning a wedding this size in that short of time, right?”

“Hey,” she snapped. “You’re Rayne Freaking Meyers. You can do anything you set your mind to.”

“You mean Calamity Rayne.”

She waved away my words. “You haven’t been a Calamity since you started working for Remington, Rayne. Look at where you are, what you’re doing with your life, where you’re living, and who you’re marrying. That stuff doesn’t come from screwing up.”

Okay, half of that was right. Yes, I worked for Hale’s dad, one of the wealthiest men in the world, and yes, I was marrying his son, another one-percenter. But getting a job for the Davenports was a total fluke. Remington had been on pain meds and probably not thinking clearly when he hired me. There were way more qualified people for the job. And Hale had been stranded on a yacht with us, coming off a terrible rebound, and angry with his father. He probably slept with me that first time just to piss off his dad.

“Knock it off,” Elle snapped again. “I can tell you’re mentally dismantling your success when you should be celebrating it. For once in your life, Ray, just be present and enjoy what you have.”

“I am present, but I’m also a realist.”

“You’re an over-thinker.”

“Yes, about real-life problems.”

She waved her fingers in a come hither motion. “All right then. Let’s hear it. Give me some of these real-life problems you’re stressing about.”

She wanted a peek into my head? Fine, I’d give her the keys to the crazy farm.

“Okay, for starters, I have no social graces. Hale’s attended galas since he was a kid and knows everything there is to know about etiquette. I’m completely awkward in normal social settings. Hell, I even speak louder at blind people no matter how much I know that doesn’t help them see me. I use the F-word too much and I never know where to put my hands. Forks confuse me. Hale’s an actual adult. My version of adulting is Googling stuff, and even then I don’t follow through. I cut corners. Do you know how many candles I bought for gifts and kept? The guilt is killing me! But my house smells like a majestic bakery, so am I really sorry? The other day I couldn’t find the dustpan, so I sneakily swept a pile of crumbs under the carpet. I swore I’d clean it up as soon as I found the dustpan. But I didn’t. It’s still there! And every time Hale walks over it I sweat a little. And let’s say we do postpone the wedding?—”

“Is that an option?”

“Yes, but we would probably have to wait two years to find a place this perfect again. Two years, Elle! Think of everything that could go wrong in two years. We’re still dealing with a pandemic. Weird diseases like rickets and polio are coming back. Putin’s a wild card. The government keeps talking about aliens.”

“You did not literally just reference Putin in regard to your wedding plans.”

“I’m just saying it’s obviously unsafe to postpone when tomorrow is this unpredictable. But most of all, what if two years is too long and Hale realizes he’s made a huge mistake?”

The moment the words actually left my mouth I admitted that was my biggest worry. I glanced at the picture of him in the magazine and felt how off-balance we were. Every day new reminders pointed out our differences.

“Okay,” Elle said softly, gripping my hand. “Take a breath.”

I did as she said and felt my fears morph into sheer exhaustion. “He’s just so perfect.”

“Look, I know you think I’m on Team Hale and I am, but first, I’m the head cheerleader for Team Rayne. I love you, Ray. We all do. So stop acting like you’re this unlovable person.”

I reached for the cupcake wrapper and proceeded to lick it. Elle caught my hand.

“For the love of God, stop. I’ll get you a cookie.” She took the trash and went to the counter. A moment later she returned with a large chocolate chip cookie in a napkin. “Here.”

“Thanks.” I took a bite. “I know Hale loves me, but—” I paused and cocked my head. Then I spit the crumbled cookie onto the napkin. “Blah. No wonder I have trust issues.”

“What’s wrong with the cookie?”

“Raisins masquerading as chocolate.” I shoved the cookie away. “I seriously miss the coffee shops back home sometimes.” Oregon was the OG of hipsters and coffee shops. I sighed. “You’ll help me, right?”

“Of course. I mean, I have school and work, but other than that I’m yours. And don’t forget Tyler.”

“Do you think it’s bad he’s not in the wedding? The planner said we could make him an usher or a reader. I suggested ring bearer, but…”

She snorted. “Were you thinking of making him wear a fanny pack full of flowers? He’d hate that.”

“The idea crossed my mind. Isn’t there some rule that you can’t say no to a bride?” Tyler was our childhood friend and so obviously gay, but he’d never outwardly admitted his sexual orientation. He didn’t like flash and he hated being the center of attention. But he also really liked staring at hot men.

“Maybe don’t piss him off just yet. Tyler can be helpful when he wants.”

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