Page 78 of Lightness In My Dark

“I had four and a maid of honor. I gave them designer purses and sunglasses.”

“Oh. I was thinking more like a nice, embroidered beach bag and a bottle of wine or some other alcoholic beverage.”

“Wren, they have money. Finn has money. There are certain expectations, and a beach bag won’t suffice.”

“I guess I’ll need to think about it some more. I hate wasting money on—”

She barked out a laugh. “Your bridesmaids will love you wasting the money on them.” Lindsey patted her arm. “I’ll help you find something.”

Wren commented on how expensive things were, and I didn’t want her to. I would take care of her. From a distance, I saw Wren pick up some items and made her way to the cashier. She took out her wallet and pulled out cash, but I pushed the money away and paid for it.

Once outside, I said, “Where did you get the money?”

“I still have some in savings.”

I folded my arms over my chest. “What about the credit card I gave you?”

She shuffled her feet. “I know, but I use my savings for small things.”

My arms dropped with my mouth. “You’ve been paying for things with your savings?”

“Finn, it’s no big—”

I was sweating more than usual and wiped my forehead. “It is a big deal. It’s my responsibility to take care of you… of all your needs.”

Wren placed her hand on my forearm. “Are you okay? You look pale.”

“I’m fine. Did you hear me?”

She let out a loud sigh. “Yes. But—”

I pulled her into me. “No buts. I gave you a credit card, and if you need anything else, just ask me. No more using your savings.”

She lifted on her tiptoes and kissed my lips. “Okay.”

We continued to browse the festival. While I was with the others, Wren came out of a store and began talking to some guy. He looked familiar. His hand touched her arm. As if I wasn’t already hot and didn’t feel well, it pissed me off. No one should touch her without her permission… or mine. I don’t even want anyone to ask for permission. I took long strides over to them, my arm snaking her waist, and drawing her toward me.

“Who’s your friend?” I could see the annoyance in Wren’s face, but I ignored it.

“This is Chris. Remember when that gossip magazine took a picture of him in my car?”

That was why he looked familiar. This fucker was in Wren’s car with his shirt off. He kissed her. My fist ached at my side from pumping it. My insides stiffened as if tasered. A reaction so foreign. I squeezed her waist until she glared at me, then I softened.

“Yeah, I remember.”

“Chris, this is my fiancé, Finn.”

We shook hands, my eyes never leaving his. “What are you two talking about?”

“Chris and I worked at the same securities firm. They let him go, too.”

Chris picked up where she left off. “Yeah, let me go around Christmas time. The holidays must be a special time for them to fire people.”

Wren and Chris let out a few laughs.

I cleared my throat. “What did you do there?”

“Research analyst. I research firms and trends for potential—”

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