Page 27 of The Replacement Fiance

"Approve? Of course!" he replies laughing before turning to look at me. "Now when's the wedding?"

"You didn't spring twenty questions on him, did you, Dad?" I ask, my panic building.

"Of course, I did, honey. It's what I do," he replies, grinning as I stare at him horror. "Ah, just kidding, Mariah. You're both adults, and you're both old enough to make a huge decision on your own. He asked you to marry him, you said yes, and that's good enough for me."

"So when's the wedding?" Mom asks.

"I... I honestly have no idea," I reply. "He's got a shop and I've got a shop and we're both busy–"

"You better not elope," Harper says. "Because I need to be your bridesmaid. Or your maid of honor. And I can help get you the best deals on everything."

Emily laughs. "Be careful, Mariah. That probably means she gets the rights to all the pictures and videos so she can post it on her social media."

"Just one. Or maybe two," Harper says. "Better yet, make it a destination wedding. That way, I can write the whole thing off."

"Why does it have to be a destination wedding?" Mom suddenly asks. "Why not do it right here? I've always dreamed my daughters would get married right here at the Soraya. It's perfect for such an event, don't you think?"

My throat tightens as Mom wraps her arms around my waist. "I know it's too rustic for your taste, Mariah, but why don't you and Logan think about it? No pressure at all."

11

Logan

Except for Harperwho appears to be in the middle of a live stream, the living room is empty when I come down the stairs.

"Where'd everyone go?"

"Hang on, guys," she says to the camera before turning to face me. "Everyone cleared out the moment Mom said something about you guys getting married here."

My mouth turns dry. "She said what?"

"That you guys get married here, at the Lodge. It'd be perfect, don't you think?" When I don't answer, she continues, "Anyway, Mom and Dad went for a drive so don't go far in case it breaks down along the way. Emily and Brad went into their room for a nap with Jonathan and I'll be heading into town soon"

"Where's Mariah?"

"Oh, that's right! She's outside, probably hyperventilating after what Mom said," Harper says, turning her attention to the camera again. "By the way, I want you guys to meet my future brother-in-law, Logan Cooper Garrison. He's, like, the other half of the GarrisonBros, guys! Can you believe it? Small world, huh? And he's marrying my sister! I can't wait!"

I'd have reminded her not to broadcast the engagement but it's too late for that. I'm also too stunned to do or say anything else. All I can think of is the wedding. Here. At the Lodge.

Hell, but if we weren't in trouble before, we sure are now.

As Harper continues talking about our social media account, I wave goodbye, grab my coat from behind the door and step outside. Mariah is sitting stiffly on the bench, her coat wrapped around her as she taps her boot nervously on the floor.

"We've got a problem," she says as I close the door behind me.

"I heard."

"Mom wants us to get married here. I had to get away from everyone because I'd have had a full-on anxiety attack if I stayed in there any longer. But I couldn't go far because I didn't want you to think I just bailed on you, you know?" She sighs. "What am I supposed to tell her? She looked so... so happy."

"Why don't we take a walk?" I take her hand and lead her away from the house. I don't know what to tell her. All I know is that tomorrow, we head back home but things won't be back to normal between us. What is normal anyway? I've always liked Mariah. Hell, I liked her the moment I first met her at that networking event three years ago. I never asked her out because she was engaged then and after she stopped wearing the ring, I didn't want to ruin what we had—a friendship. I dated, I saw other women and I know she dated, too. But I'd told myself then that our friendship would come first... until now.

I spot a trail and keep walking. "By the way, not to make things worse but Harper just told her followers we're engaged."

"Great." Mariah's brow furrows. "Things just got worse, didn't they?"

My phone buzzes from inside my jeans pocket and I see Liam's name on the display but ignore it. A few minutes later, it buzzes again and this time I see his text message.

You're engaged?????

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