Page 70 of Love You Truly

“No worries. That’s why I herded you out of that room full of cackling bridesmaids. I had a feeling your head was about to explode.”

I exhale a long breath. “Was it obvious?”

She tilts her head from side to side in that way that says it was obvious to everyone except me. “It’s normal bride behavior. Trust me, I’ve seen about a thousand of them, and you’re no worse than anyone else.”

“And I’m not even a real bride. What’s my excuse for nerves?”

“From where I sit, you have even more of an excuse.”

From an unseen pocket, Beatrix produces a package of Reece’s Peanut Butter Cups and tears open the package. Without asking whether I want one or worrying about what it will do to my makeup, she hands me one.

I bite into it gratefully and realize it’s the first thing I’ve eaten all day. “Maybe it’s just low blood sugar. Even the hint of this on my tongue feels mood-changing.”

“It’s why I carry them around on wedding days.”

“I appreciate it.”

Beatrix lets me chomp through the peanut butter cup before handing me the second one. She fishes a napkin from another pocket and waits until I’ve devoured the second cup to hand it over.

“Thanks.” I dab at my mouth.

“So you’re good going through with this, the marriage?”

“Yes. It’ll accomplish what we both need and we have clear parameters for ending it once my ex is out of the picture.” It’s the party line, what I’ve been telling myself from the get-go.

“That’s not what I’m asking. I mean, are you really okay with it being fake? What if you want to date or what if you meet someone and fall in love? What if you fall in love with Dash?”

I’m not expecting such a pointed question, so it takes me a moment to figure out how to respond.

“It’s not forever.” I don’t know why saying it out loud makes me more sad than relieved. Beatrix meets my eyes. “And as for the love part, it’s fine.” My voice breaks on the last word, and I fight back the tears that want to spring forth.

Makeup. Can’t mess up makeup.

“Does he know?” she asks gently, putting a hand on my shoulder.

My heart sinks because if it’s obvious to her, it’s probably obvious to other people. Just not Dash because he doesn’t feel the same way. I shake my head.

“You should tell him.”

“Why? It will only make things awkward. My temporary feelings aren’t important. I need to focus on the big picture, stay focused on business.”

“It’s all important.” She gets up from her chair and extends her hand to me. I take it and she pulls me up, careful to keep my dress from touching the ground. I take over from her and hold the hem up as we walk back to the bridal suite.

It’s all important.

Her words echo in my ears.

CHAPTER 26

Dash

The entire bridal party has taken their places around me at the altar—my two brothers, my sisters, Lucas, my best man, and Mallory’s maid of honor. My dad sits in the front row under the shade of an umbrella and stares straight at me with a bemused smile on his face, but I sense that he has no idea where he is.

His nurse told me he’d take a sedative before the ceremony to ensure that he stays calm and relaxed. She says he sometimes confuses reality with what he watches on TV, and for once, I’m sort of glad that’s the case.

But this isn’t the time to retreat into my head and worry about anything except getting through the day so we can ensure that Felix Sutton takes a hike and doesn’t come back. I know that’s Mallory’s only concern, and it’s the only way I’ll ensure that Buttercup Hill has a future.

I just need to keep reminding myself of why I’m here. It’s business. It’s my chance to do something for my family when it’s most needed.

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