Page 9 of Promised Vows

Helen eyed Thea. “Well, that’s a relief.”

A huge relief because I genuinely liked her. I let out a sigh and the stress I’d been holding in my shoulders faded. “That’s great.”

“Yes, it really is.” Thea looked at me. “Thank you so much, Anna, for being so kind to help her.”

“Anything for family, right?”

Her eyes narrowed a fraction. “We’re going to get along fabulously.”

I smiled because I had no idea how else to respond.

Her lips quirked up. “I’m sure she’d also love it if you would be one of her bridesmaids.”

“Uh…” I did say anything for family, even if I was actively trying to figure out a way to not be family. There was also the issue of my job, but I’d racked up a lot of favors over the last few months. Maybe I could call one in. It’d be worth it to stay on Thea’s good side. “Sure.”

“Fantastic. She’s got her final fitting tomorrow afternoon around two.”

“I look forward to it.” I smiled and peeked down at my phone, reading Ari’s text again telling me he was picking me up tomorrow at seven for the rehearsal dinner.

Do you always command women to do things?

I typed it out and hit send.

My phone buzzed a few moments later.

Would you please do me the honor of being my date tomorrow at the rehearsal dinner?

I was going, right? Did it hurt to let him give me a ride?

Okay.

I waited for a beat and then sent a follow-up text.

But it’s not a date. We are two people who happen to be in the same wedding. That’s it.

My phone stayed silent long enough that I thought the conversation was over until it buzzed again.

Two people, eating dinner together, who are attracted to each other… In modern language, we call that a…?

I knew he found me attractive, but the confirmation made me tingle, even if the conversation frustrated me.

A rehearsal dinner. That’s it.

Okay.

A grin broke out on my lips. I’d won that round. Then I thought about it. Had I? I huffed to myself and dumped my phone in my purse. I’d think about it later.

It was weird continuing without Claire, but I kept that thought to myself. To my surprise, it wasn’t long after she left that Thea gave us an update. Claire was resting, but she was fine.

After a round of desserts, a few pleasantries, and a goodbye, I was free. I’d ordered an Uber, so I pulled my coat tight as I stopped out front of the restaurant. Yeah, I got offers of a ride to my apartment by the fam, but I wanted a car to myself.

I needed time to think. To process. And hopefully, figure out what I was going to do because I was not marrying Ari Kalantzis. Period. End of discussion.

Chapter Four

ANNA

Stupid Uber. No luck would be better than my current state. Halfway home, my driver got a call from his girlfriend, giving him the third degree about a paternity test that showed up in the mail. The dude literally dumped me on the corner of N. Jefferson and W. Randolph with a sorry as he peeled out.

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