Page 28 of Forever Writing You

“Dahlia, the only reason I hired your little garden to do the arrangements for my wedding?—”

“Thirty-two acres is far from little.”

“Stop interrupting me.” She hissed. “The only reason you’re handling the florals for my wedding is because I believe in shopping local. Because I’m taking sympathy on you.”

“You haven’t fired me because you can’t fire me.” I’d had enough. “We have an exclusive twenty-five-year contract with your wedding planner because we’re the best of the best and everyone knows that. But if you’d like me to call her, I’d be more than happy to break this deal one time and let another floral company handle your wedding.”

She said nothing.

“By the way, you won’t get a refund for the thousand lilies we’ve already begun to source and grow, and you’ll have to pick another arrangement style. My mother copyrighted the one you raved about so much…”

She pursed her lips and flexed her obnoxious ring one last time.

Then she walked away.

THIRTEEN

Everett

Carmen

I LOVEEEE our pre-marriage counselor.

I’m so happy you’ve been following her “no sex until marriage” plan with me for the past couple months!

You’re truly the one for me :-) Tell me how your group tuxedo fitting goes later!

“Why do we have to get fitted for tuxedos this early?” Leo asked. “What if I gain twenty pounds between now and the wedding?”

“We’ll make adjustments for that, sir.” One of the tailors smiled at him. “This is more about getting the right body type and style down first.”

The other groomsmen laughed.

I said nothing.

All I could think about was the other night’s dinner with Dahlia and the drunken things she’d said to me. The look in her eyes when I’d asked about Carmen cheating on me.

I could still read her with ease—could still tell that unresolved feelings were trapped under her tongue like they were confined under mine—and I no longer believed she was trying to destroy things with Carmen for no reason.

I wonder what made her send me that first email, though…

“Hey uh…” Leo cleared his throat. “Can me and Everett have this room to ourselves for a moment?”

The tailors placed final marks on the hems, and the groomsmen slowly filed into the hallway.

Leo waited until the doors shut before motioning for me to follow him into an adjoining room.

“Quick question.” He crossed his arms. “Who the hell are all those other groomsmen?”

I smiled. “Carmen’s brothers and cousins. She thought it would look weird if I just had a best man while she has thirteen bridesmaids and two maids of honor.”

“You must really love her.”

“I do.”

“Then why aren’t you acting like it?”

“Huh?” I crossed my arms. “What are you talking about?”

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