Page 40 of The Trouble with Runaway Brides

You have no right to be upset. You knew the score before you agreed to marry him. He canceled how many dates before you were engaged? And you understood that he was busy. But he promised you it wouldn’t always be that way.

For a while, I brainstorm new topics for the podcast, but I quickly become bored, so I change into jeans and a sweater with my coat and boots. I pull on a knitted hat, hoping it will make me less recognizable. I slide a note under the door for Blake to say I’m going out and I’ll check on him later, then I get an Uber to take me to downtown Lake Starlight.

I’m pretty sure people recognize me, but I’m surprised that some of them wave. Nobody stops me to talk though. I’m starved since I didn’t eat breakfast, so I walk into Lard Have Mercy, immediately wishing I would’ve gone anywhere else.

In their usual booth sit Brinley, Easton, and Lance. I go up to the counter and leave my hat on, hoping it will make my presence less obvious.

That fails when my freshman-year English teacher screeches throughout the small diner, “Kenzie Gavino?”

She spins me on the stool to face her and opens her arms. I have no choice but to stand and wrap my arms around her torso, lightly patting her back. “Hi, Mrs. Arnold.”

She steps back, and sure enough, all eyes are on me, especially the three sets of eyes from the people I used to be closest to.

“I heard you were getting married. Congratulations.” She leans in close. “I don’t listen to any of that hubbub on Buzz Wheel,” she whispers.

I smile. “Thanks.”

“I heard you have a podcast that’s really gaining ground.” She sits on the stool next to me, so I sit back down. She’s probably about seventy-five or so now, but she has the same energy she did then. Her hair is grayer, but her skinny figure is the same.

“I do. I’ve been fortunate that people seem to enjoy it.”

“I’m telling you, your class just burst out and took over the world. Lance was a given, I suppose, but Easton playing professional baseball and you doing a podcast. And now Brinley deciding she’s going to take over her dad’s business and finally put those art skills to good use.”

“What?”

She nods. “You didn’t know?” Her smile dips for the first time. “You two were the best of friends. I hope you find your way back to one another.”

I shrug. “The distance doesn’t help.” My excuse is weak, and she probably knows it.

“Well, I have to get my walk in, but I’m sure I’ll see you around while you’re here.” She hugs me again and I almost topple off the stool. Thank God for my Pilates classes because my core engages and I remain upright.

She leaves and I bury my head in the menu for a minute, then order blueberry pancakes. I didn’t realize having the wedding where I always dreamed of would cause my heart to ache every time I saw them all together.

I pretend I have a lot of business to attend to on my phone, but all I do is send a text to Blake.

Me: You better take some Imodium or whatever you need to, I cannot do this by myself.

Surprisingly, the three dots appear right away.

Blake: Maybe you need to think of this trip as something more than just for your wedding.

Me: What are you suggesting?

Blake: Read between the lines, Kenz. I think there might be another reason you chose to come here.

Me: No, there isn’t.

Blake: Then you’re a fool.

I glare at my screen and click off his name because he’s aggravating me. I pull up my text exchange with my mom.

Me: When are you getting here?

Mom: In a week.

Me: I’ll be done choosing everything by then.

Mom: I have to get the coins blessed by Father Caliente and I’m working on the cord. Give me some time.

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