Page 45 of Gracefully Yours

“What do youmean,you’re getting married?” She interrupted me, asking again. “I didn’t even know you were dating someone.”

That’s because I wasn’t, I thought bitterly, but I didn’t say it. Of course I didn’t.

There were a lot of things I’d do before ever admitting this ruse to my mother. She would have a heart attack and die.

“Mom.” I took a deep breath. “The wedding’s already planned. I just wanted to tell you.” Pinching my nose, I figured I’d go question by question. “Daniel and I are getting married.”

“The dark-haired boy?”

I flushed. “Mom. I’ve known him since college. He’s not—” Oh, whatever.

Daniel’s fingers stroked over the string of the guitar, and all I could think about was when he’d had those fingers inside ofme.

Oh, god. Living in this close of proximity with him was going to be the death of me.

I needed to get off the phone before I continued this line of thoughts while talking to mymother.

“December twenty-third. If you want to be there. Invitations will be out in the mail this week.”

Thank god for Daniel’s step-mom. She was a godsend, and not having to ask my mom for help made me feel all the better about it. Sure, I could plan this wedding all on my own, but I liked how I didn’t have to.

“Are you sure this isn’t a little rash?”

Daniel’s eyes met mine, and even though I didn’t think he could hear her end of the conversation, I still held my head up high as I told her the truth. “He’s my best friend. I’ve known him for almost ten years. There’s nothing rash about this. If you can’t support me in this, don’t come. Okay?” I didn’t give her a chance to respond before I continued. “I have to go now. My fiancé is home. I’ll talk to you later.”

I hung up without another word, and then put my phone on silent before I tossed it off to the side. She would probably call back and give me stern words for hanging up on her, but right now, I just needed my best friend.

“Hey.”

His smooth voice had me looking up. He’d left his guitar on the floor and extended a hand out to me.

“Hi.” I breathed it back as I took his hand, and he practically pulled me into his arms.

No matter what happened, at least I had him.

Fake or real, he was by my side.

CHAPTER10

Daniel

He’s my best friend. I’ve known him for almost ten years. There’s nothing rash about this. If you can’t support me in this, don’t come.

The words filled me with a swell of pride. She was incredible in all aspects of her life, but hearing her stand up to her mother… Damn. I was proud of her. And a little turned on. I liked her boldness. I wasn’t sure there was a single thing I disliked about her, in all honesty. There never had been.

I adjusted myself casually, hoping she wouldn’t notice.

When we’d finished moving all of her stuff into the house, she’d brought all of her sketching supplies out into the living room. Her notebook was open to whatever she’d started designing before she’d called her Mom.

I leaned against the door frame as I observed her drawing; the pencil creating the folds and fullness of the skirt. She hummed softly as she worked. And even though I shouldn’t have been spying, watching her work without a clue I was there, I couldn’t stop myself.

I wondered if the design for her wedding dress was in there too. If she’d even started making it yet. Charlotte liked to be on top of her creations, and since our wedding was a little over a month and a half out…

Fuck.It would be here before we knew it, and there was still so much to do.

Charlotte had pulled her blonde hair up into a messy bun on top of her head, wearing a purple alumni crewneck from our college and a pair of black leggings with little criss-cross designs on the bottoms. It was… cute. Though there was a part of me who knew I shouldn’t find loungewear adorable, I couldn’t help it with her. Everything I saw her in took my breath away. Even bare-faced and in sweats, I thought she was the most beautiful girl I’d ever seen.

And her mom had upset her.

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