Page 45 of Love, A Curvy Girl's Guide

And Haley’s hands wouldn’t stop shaking.

“Breathe,” Verity teased, perched on the edge of a chaise in the packhouse as she watched Haley fuss over the lace of her gown. “Unless you’re planning to pass out at the altar, which, if I’m being honest, would be a bit dramatic—even for you.”

Haley shot her a look through the mirror. “If I pass out, make sure Ian catches me, okay? You know, since you’re useless.”

Verity smirked. “Totally useless. But at least I showed up. I half expected you to uninvite me after…” She trailed off, her smirk faltering.

Haley sighed, setting her hands on the vanity. “We’ve worked through that. You’re here. That’s what matters.”

It had taken time to heal the rift between them. Time, and effort. But Verity had shown up—in small ways at first, then bigger ones. When Haley and Ian had decided to move to be with the pack, Verity had checked in regularly with Haley’s mom. Funnily enough, she’d even hit it off with Ian’s older brother Derek when she’d learned that he was also into her favorite video game. For a while there, Haley had been certain that it was Dennis who was into Verity, but it looked like things had changed.

“After all,” she’d told Haley. “Who would have guessed such a hot computer science nerd would be into Shadow’s Thrall? We were meant to be friends… With benefits, if I have anything to say about it.”

Haley had said plenty. Mostly—keep it as friends!

As if on cue, Verity picked up a glass of champagne and took a deliberate sip. “Your future brother-in-law looksreallyuncomfortable in a suit, by the way. I bet he looks hot as hell out of it.”

Haley smirked. “Derek always looks uncomfortable around people. Leave him alone. Don’t poke the bear!”

“Or the wolf?” Verity mused, swirling the champagne in her glass. “But, Hales, he keeps looking at me like he wants to eat me. And Lord knows, I’d like to be eaten.”

“Verity!”

“Fine,” she huffed. “But he’s also been drinking. A lot. And we both know he’s not much of a drinker. Now, that’s not on me.”

Haley bit back a laugh. “Verity… areyoutrying to make Derek nervous?”

She shrugged, feigning innocence. “I mean… I might’ve flirted with him a little. But it was nothing, I swear.”

Haley’s eyebrows shot up. “A little?”

Verity grinned. “I asked him about the benefits of an extra monitor while playing Shadow’s Thrall. We’re going shopping tomorrow!”

Haley narrowed her eyes. “Be careful with him, Verity.”

Verity’s smirk softened. “I know. And Iam. I won’t mess this up, Hales. I promise.”

A soft knock came at the door.

“Come in,” Haley called out.

Her mother stepped inside, wearing a pale blue dress that softened her normally sharp edges. But the biggest change wasn’t in what she wore—it was in her expression. There was a warmth in her eyes, a gentleness that had been absent for too long.

“I’m just going to give you two some time,” Verity said, moving toward the door. “I’ll see you out there, Hales. You’ve got this.”

After Verity had closed the door, Haley turned to her mom. Their relationship had taken a lot more work and was still on shaky ground. Haley’s mom had resolved to take her meds on a regular basis and was seeing a therapist these days. However, with years of neglect, their mother and daughter relationship needed time and nourishment to grow.

“I wanted to give you something,” her mother said, her voice thick with emotion. She pulled a small velvet box from her purse and opened it, revealing a delicate strand of pearls.

Haley gasped. “Mom… these are your?—”

“They’re yours now,” her mother interrupted gently, stepping behind her to clasp the necklace around her neck. “They belonged to your grandmother, then to me. And now I want you to have them—not as something borrowed, but as something to keep.”

Haley touched the cool pearls, her vision blurring.

Her mother hesitated before speaking again, her voice breaking. “Haley, I owe you an apology.”

Haley turned, stunned by the vulnerability in her mother’s face. Her mom was usually willing to put things behind them, but she rarely confessed to her part of the problem. Haley held her breath.

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