Page 73 of Shameless With Him

“We haven’t talked about it yet. We’re not there.” I tried to reiterate it, even as my heart sped up, and I warmed inside at the thought of him.

“I just wanted to make sure that you know that I’m so happy for you. And, yes, today is all about me and John and our romance, but I’m glad that there’ll be another romance there. Because I want to watch you and Caleb dance tonight, for your first dance at a wedding.”

“We’re seriously not on that path. I don’t know what path we’re on, but we’re taking things slow.”

“John and I took things slow, and it worked out. Just know that I’m so happy for you. And Caleb is a great guy. And I can’t wait to see what happens.”

“I love you, Lacey. Even if you’re really unbearable.” I mumbled the last part, and she laughed. I held her close and blinked back tears.

“I can’t cry,” she said. “Even though I have the best makeup on, that is supposed to be able to withstand hurricane tears, I don’t want to chance it.”

“Same.” I closed my eyes and hugged her tightly. She was so strong, even with her slightly frail body. There was power within those bones, even if they tried to take her from me long ago. Strength within that soul. And she might have lost her way a bit, but we were allowed to do that sometimes. And I didn’t mind. Because she was my baby sister. And she was getting married.

I did my best to push thoughts of Caleb from my mind, only because tonight wasn’t about us. I didn’t want to put too much into it, to rely on what we could be too heavily.

Because even though we were together, even though I knew there was something there, he was very good at putting distance between us. So, I wasn’t going to let myself be hurt. I was going to let myself love him, but I was also going to let time pass. Because that’s what we needed. Time. To just be with each other.

“Okay, girls, it’s time to get dressed,” my mother announced as she walked into the room, and I smiled.

“Wedding time!” I said, and Lacey did a little booty shake before we all went to the staging area.

We helped Lacey into her dress, and we wiped at tears, grateful that our makeup was the way it was, and the makeup artist was there to help with any streaks that might have dared roll down our faces.

I quickly put on my dress, grateful for the champagne gold that made me feel like a princess. We would match the romance of fall ambiance perfectly. I loved my dress and would possibly wear it again if I ever had a gala or something to go to. Maybe Caleb would have one, and he would take me.

I grinned, sliding my hands down my soft dress, imagining Caleb.

I really needed to stop.

We hadn’t even discussed our feelings, we’d been really good about focusing on everyone else and living in the moment, and I needed to be better at that.

“Um, Zoey?” Marni, John’s very pregnant sister, said from my side.

I looked over at her as she rubbed her back, and my eyes widened.

“Please tell me you just have a backache.”

“How much longer until the wedding?” she asked, her voice a little breathy.

“Soon. Are you in labor?” I whispered fiercely, making my voice so low, I hoped no one could hear.

“Possibly. My water hasn’t broken yet, and this isn’t my first go-around. I should be fine during the ceremony itself, but if we can make it quick, that would be amazing.”

“Sounds perfect,” I bit out, trying to be quiet. “Everything is fine.”

“Everything is fine,” she repeated.

We looked at each other, and I really hoped to hell everything was going to be fine.

“What’s wrong?” my mother asked, looking between us.

“Um, nothing?” I lied.

“You’re in labor, aren’t you,” my mother said, and I winced.

“I’m sorry, ma’am. I didn’t mean to.” Marni blushed.

“They are babies, you can’t control when they show up. Are you okay?”

---