Page 106 of Vengeful Lies

“Are you okay?”

“Of course,” I reply tightly.

“It’s okay if you aren’t.” She takes a seat at the end of the bed and taps the spot beside her. I inhale and sit down.

I’ve never really had a woman-to-woman conversation. Or a mother-daughter heart-to-heart. Is that what this is? “I was so scared of marrying Crue, I pushed him so far away, he got engaged to my sister,” Rya says calmly.

I try to mask my surprise, and she laughs at my shit way of hiding it. “Don’t worry, neither of them liked each other. And it all worked out in the end.”

“That sounds a little hectic,” I whisper.

“Oh, it was.” She chuckles. “All I’m saying is, I know this is scary for you, but I raised a good son, who is now a good man. Well, he’s good to the people he cares about at least.” At least she’s aware that her son isn’t the definition of “normal” or “good.”

“He can be a little ruthless like his dad, and I actually liked that about Crue a lot,” she says with a smile. “I’ve come to terms with the type of people they both are, and I’m elated that Eli has found someone who accepts him just as he is. It makes me feel alittle better to know you can also protect him as much as you can threaten to put him in his place.” She laughs, and I can’t help but find that amusing as well.

“What I mean to say is, this might be a scary day, but it’s also a beautiful day. I’ve never seen my son come to life the way he does when he’s around you. And so I thank you for being that beacon for him and joining our family,” she says, hugging me. I feel awkward at first until I lean into it. Much like I have with Eli. Perhaps having a mother isn’t so bad after all. Perhaps having a husband won’t kill me either. “Now, let’s get you ready.”

She requests that I keep on the towel and come out to start my hair and makeup. When I'm sitting on the seat, feeling overstimulated, she passes me a glass of champagne but warns me I only get one before walking down the aisle. I blush at that, remembering how drunk I’d gotten when trying on the wedding dresses.

Rya tells me stories about Eli growing up and how his favorite word was “asshole.” That makes me giggle because that was one of my first words to him. I tell her that, and she absolutely loses her shit, laughing. I like hearing her laugh. I wonder if my mother ever laughed the same way when someone talked about me.

I doubt it.

But despite feeling a loss at that, I’m filled with acceptance from this woman who owes me nothing but is giving me all of her love anyway.

“Eli said you had no one to walk down the aisle, and I did offer that I would do it for you, but he requested something special for you.”

I have absolutely no idea what she’s talking about. I know when you get married, someone usually walks you down the aisle, but I never dreamed of being married in the first place, so Inever even thought about that part of it. By the time my hair and makeup are done, I’m starting to feel the jittery nerves again.

I look in the mirror as Rya zips my dress up in the back. It’s a simple but elegant gown with a slit up the side. A tiny smile pulls at my lips as I consider what happened to the first wedding dress we had to buy because we absolutely destroyed it in the bridal shop.

“He really outdid himself when he picked you,” she says as she admires me. I turn to her then and hug her. She seems caught off guard as I embrace her.

“Thank you for accepting me into your family,” I say, and I feel the gentle caress of her hand on the back of my head.

“We will always be home for you now,” she replies, and I can sense her smile.

I’m stuck in the car, frozen in place. My breathing comes in shallow pants as I reconsider this wedding. I know I want to be with Eli, but it makes this no less terrifying.

Rya left the car ten minutes ago. I’m certain she knew I wouldn’t be able to get out without some sort of encouragement.

I consider running away, as cowardly as it is.

I’m scared.

I’m scared mostly of the unknown, even though Eli is one of the things I’ve been surest about.

The car door suddenly opens, and I let out a shaky breath as Eli’s beautiful face comes into view. I try to turn away from him as if that will keep the dress hidden. We are far from traditional, but I feel like I’ve wasted the surprise moment.

He gently pushes me across the seat and sits down beside me, closing the door. He pulls my hand from my mouth as I bite theskin around my nails and brings it to his lips. I watch as he does, those silver eyes staring at me expectantly. “You’re beautiful. And late.”

“I’m not late. I’m just thinking…”

“About running away?” he says knowingly. Rya most likely went inside to get him. I hate how well he understands me. How did he so quickly learn my ins and outs?

“Aren’t you supposed to be inside?” I ask. His gaze greedily takes me in.

“I’m wherever you are. Everyone else can wait.” He gets comfy in the seat. I nervously laugh as I rest my head on his shoulder.

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