Page 31 of After the Vows

“What would Caleb think of you fanning over another man?” Nova teases.

Caleb is a soldier who went to high school with us. He’s also the man Maya’s been crushing on since ninth grade.

“What does Caleb have to do with it?” Maya’s blush says she wishes Caleb had something to do with it. “He’s my pen pal. He’s also a gazillion miles away.”

“Afghanistan is actually 7,500 miles away. A gazillion miles is not a scientific measurement.”

Maya salutes Paisley. “Aye, aye, captain.”

“Are we done with the conversation detour now?” Sophia asks but doesn’t wait for an answer before she speaks again. “I don’t think Chloe should get married.”

Nova rubs her hands together. “Are we going to sneak her out the back way? Is she a runaway bride? Should I get a horse ready? Let’s blow this popsicle stand.”

“My car is parked in front of the cabin,” Paisley says.

“I’ll pack her stuff.” Maya starts picking up my clothes and throwing them on the bed.

“Stop!” I order, and everyone freezes. “I am marrying Lucas. I’m not standing him up.”

Maya drops her load of toiletries on the dresser. “Darn. I wanted to watch Lucas chase after you. He’s nearly as sexy as Flynn.”

I growl. “Lucasissexier than Flynn.”

Maya claps. “Yes! I knew you liked him.”

“Of course, I like him. I wouldn’t marry a man I didn’t like.”

“But you should marry a man you love. Not a man you like,” Sophia pouts.

I clasp Sophia’s hands. “I’m happy you’ve found love.” My stomach gurgles with jealousy but I ignore it. I am happy for my best friend. “But I’m not out to find love.”

She frowns. “I don’t know why not.”

“You know exactly why not.”

“Having a bitch for a mother doesn’t mean you don’t deserve love.”

My heart pounds in my chest at the reminder of my mother. Fear tries to creep in but I shove it back. There’s no need to fear my mother anymore.

“This has nothing to do with my mother.”

Sophia snorts. “Liar. Liar. Pants on fire.”

“Good thing I’m not wearing pants.”

“No. You’re wearing a wedding gown to marry a man who doesn’t want you. Who wants to use you. You can’t expect me to be okay with this.” She sniffs and tears well in her eyes.

“Are you pregnant?” Paisley asks Sophia.

Sophia rears back. “What? Why are you asking me?”

“Because you’re usually not emotional.”

“We can’t all be robots the way you are.”

Paisley wrinkles her nose and fiddles with her glasses. “I’m not a robot. Realistic androids don’t exist yet.”

Someone pounds on the door. “Are you ready? The ceremony’s about to begin.”

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