Page 40 of Offside Bride

I run a hand through my hair, panic rising in my chest. “That’s not giving me any confidence in this situation.”

“He’s got a couple guys outside my house. I’m okay.”

“All right, but I want you to come stay with me as soon as you can. I’ll figure something out in the meantime.”

I hang up, my head spinning. I need to make some calls, figure out how to keep my sister safe. And Maggie. Oh crap, Maggie. Dinner. I should call her, explain. But the words won’t come. Instead, I type out a quick text:

“Something came up. Can’t make dinner. Raincheck?”

It’s cowardly, I know. But right now, that’s all I have in me.

When I go back in the office, Bruce is staring at me, concerned.

“Everything alright?”

“Just…family stuff,” I mutter, collapsing back into the chair.

“So, about that protein shake…” Bruce starts.

I hold up a hand. “Actually…I’m sorry, but I need to go. Send me an email with the terms and I’ll look at it.”

As I rush out, my phone buzzes again. A text from Maggie.

“K.”

Just one letter, but somehow it stings worse than any insult she could have hurled at me.

“Keep your eyes wide open before marriage, half shut afterwards.”

— BENJAMIN FRANKLIN

13

MAGGIE

Ihold my phone between my ear and shoulder as I struggle to zip up my new electric blue dress. “Emily, I told you this isn’t a real date. It’s just part of the whole fake marriage gig.”

“Riiiight,” Emily’s skeptical voice crackles through the speaker. “And that’s why you bought a new dress?”

“Hey, it was on sale!” I defend, finally managing to zip it up. “Mega sale. Like, clearance rack buried under a pile of last season’s rejects kind of sale.”

I twist in front of the mirror, admiring the electric blue fabric. “Besides, a girl’s gotta look good when she’s pretending to be madly in love with her fake husband, right?”

“Uh-huh.”

“It’s NOT a date. It’s a fake marriage obligation. Like jury duty, but with better food.”

“Keep telling yourself that.”

I ignore her comment and start fiddling with my earrings. “Anyway, I’ve never been wined and dined before, you know? It’s always been more like ‘beered and banged.’”

Emily laughs. “Well, enjoy it then! Who cares if it’s fake? Live a little!”

“I will, sistah. You never know when Sawyer might decide he’s done playing house, then it will be back to instant ramen and peanut butter sandwiches.”

“You’re really planning for the end already?”

“Just being practical. I’m trying to save up for when it’s time to move out. I need to figure out how much I’ll need for my own place.”

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