Page 62 of The Wolf's Plus-Size Bride

“No,” he says, his voice firm. “I think it’s best if we say our goodbyes now.”

I stare at him, my heart breaking. This is it. This is the end. I can feel it, and I’m powerless to stop it.

“Okay,” I whisper, the word barely audible.

He pulls up to the house and parks. I can see the lights are on, and I know my aunt and uncle are waiting for me. I don’t want to go. I don’t want to leave.

“I guess this is it,” I say, my voice thick with emotion.

“Yeah,” he replies, his eyes fixed on the steering wheel.

It takes me a moment to realize he’s not even going to walk me to the door this time. I swallow the lump in my throat and reach for the door handle.

“Goodbye, Reiner.”

“Bye, Jane.”

I can’t look at him anymore. I can’t stand to see the indifference in his eyes. I shove the car door open and climb out while my heart shatters into a million pieces.

I make it to the front porch before the tears start to fall. I’m not sure why I’m crying. Maybe it’s the loss of a dream, a fantasy. Maybe it’s the realization that it was all a lie. Or maybe it’s the knowledge that I’ll never see him again.

I’m not the type to cry. I’ve always been the strong one, the one who holds it together. But right now, I can’t seem to stop the tears from flowing.

I’m standing there, my shoulders slumped, my head bowed, and I can’t stop crying. It’s like a dam has burst, and the floodgates have opened. I’m sobbing, my chest heaving, my heart aching.

I’m not sure how long I stand there, but eventually, I hear the door open.

“Jane?” Piper’s voice is soft and concerned.

I look up at her, my vision blurred by the tears. She’s standing there, her brow furrowed, her eyes filled with worry.

“What’s wrong?” she asks, her voice gentle.

I shake my head, unable to speak. I can’t form the words, can’t explain the pain I’m feeling.

“Come on,” she says, taking my hand. “Let’s get you inside.”

She leads me into the house, and I follow, numb and silent.

“Sit down,” she orders, and I obey, sinking into a chair at the kitchen table.

Thankfully, Aunt Gwen and Uncle Richard are nowhere to be seen. I’d hate for them to see me like this, a blubbering mess.

Piper bustles around the kitchen, putting on a pot of tea. The familiar scent of chamomile fills the air, and I feel a little better.

“Talk to me,” she says, setting a steaming mug in front of me. “What happened?”

“I don’t know,” I reply, my voice thick with emotion. “I just… I hate leaving him. I hate saying goodbye. I feel like there’s so much left unsaid, and I don’t know how to fix it.”

She draws her brows together as she rubs my arm. “Then why are you leaving? I thought things were going so well with you and Reiner. I was really hoping you’d stay. I was looking forward to having my adopted sister around all the time.”

“What’s the point?” I snap, the words coming out harsher than I intended. “He may be interested in me right now, but we both know that down the road, when some gorgeous, skinny blonde comes along, he’ll drop me like a bad habit. I’m not the type guys choose, and I’m tired of being the one who’s left behind.”

“Jane, what are you talking about? You’re beautiful, and any guy would be lucky to have you. Look at you! You’re smart, funny, and sexy as hell. Any guy would be crazy not to want you.”

“Yeah, right,” I scoff, rolling my eyes. “I’m the funny fat friend, and you know it. No one ever looks twice at me. I’m theone who gets left behind, the one who’s always the bridesmaid, never the bride. I’m the one who’s always on the outside, looking in. Reiner’s no different. He found a girl who would stroke his ego for a minute, and he took advantage of that. And stupid me, I fell for it hook, line, and sinker. I should’ve known better. I should’ve seen the writing on the wall, but I was too blinded by my own feelings to see the truth.”

“That’s not true,” Piper argues. “You’re not seeing clearly right now. You’re upset, and you’re lashing out. But that doesn’t make it true. You’re an amazing woman, and I’ve seen the way Reiner looks at you. He’s crazy about you, and I know he’s going to miss you when you’re gone. He’s just afraid to admit it.”

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