Page 74 of The Trouble with Runaway Brides

I look away, blinking rapidly, and wipe the tear from my eye. “He can’t hurt me because I don’t love him like I loved Lance.”

Brinley steps back and sucks in a breath. “Kenzie?”

I put up my hand and walk toward the vehicle. “I don’t want to hear it.”

“You can’t live the rest of your life like that.”

I look back at her. “You, of all people, should understand this.” I go to the passenger side of her SUV and wait for her to let me in.

“What?”

“Not wanting to get hurt.”

Brinley unlocks it and we both climb in. “I love Van just as deeply as I did Sawyer.”

I shrug. “Good for you, but I’m not playing roulette with my heart anymore.” She opens her mouth, but I raise my hand. “I’m done talking about it. Just take me back to my parents’.”

For the rest of the drive, we don’t talk. She stops outside the house my parents are renting, and I walk inside with a smile. I’m the picture of a happy bride.

Blake and Geoff are playing mahjong with my mom again.

“Come play,” Mom says.

“I’ll be right there.” I walk up the stairs to my room and fall on the bed face first, trying to convince myself this is the right decision.

Why did I ever decide to test my fate and get married here? As a big fuck you to Lance and the Bailey clan? If so, it backfired because my love for Lance has returned like a tulip in spring and it’s just as beautiful as it was in years past.

This Saturday, my heart will break as I promise my life to someone else, but it’s for the best. I’m in charge of who can hurt me now.

Twenty-Four

Kenzie - Day of the Wedding

Finally, the day is here. After this, we’ll leave Lake Starlight and go off on our honeymoon, where Will will likely spend the majority of his time working while I sunbathe on the beach, reading to escape my own life. I’ve already picked out three mystery thrillers to keep love the furthest thing from my mind.

Brinley joins me in the bridal suite. I wish she was standing next to me at the altar, but our reconnection came too late to order a bridesmaid’s dress and I know Will would have complained that he can’t pick one guy between all his fraternity brothers, so I left well enough alone. Which is fine. It’s not like I’m going to be looking at the pictures of my wedding very often.

“You look beautiful,” Brinley says.

I circle around for her to see the whole dress. Isn’t that what someone eager to walk down the aisle would do? “I bought it right off the rack and had it altered. Can you tell?”

“Not at all, it suits your body perfectly.” She picks up my veil and holds it up, asking if I’d like her help.

I nod. “Please.”

She situates it right under the low bun at the nape of my neck, then spreads out the tulle along my back. “I just wanted to apologize before the ceremony. You were right. I can make suggestions as your friend, but your life is your own. I won’t interfere anymore.”

I turn to her. “I get it. I do. But I am happy. It’s not that I’m living some horrible life with a horrible man. A selfish man, yes, but I like my independence too. It’s a win. Believe me, he doesn’t love me to the ends of the earth either, but it works for us.”

She nods, but I can tell she doesn’t understand. How could she? She’s madly in love and I hope she and Van remain that way forever. I hope they die at one hundred twenty years old, holding hands.

“Well, I should probably get going.” Brinley gives me one last hug, but before she can leave, my parents join us.

My mom is holding the silk cord that will be wrapped around Will’s and my head, signifying our everlasting love and fidelity. I wish now that I hadn’t chosen to incorporate it. It feels like such a farce. She hands the cord to Brinley. Since Will didn’t invite many friends and I don’t really trust any of them with a unity cord, I chose Brinley and Van to wrap it in a figure eight around our heads.

“I love this. Okay, I’m ready.” Brinley holds it carefully.

“My beautiful girl.” My mom comes over and has me bend down so she can kiss my cheek. “I have dreamed of this day for you for so long.”

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