Page 68 of Desperate Actions

Never stops holding my hand.

Not once the entire night.

And it’s—perfect.

At some point, Sammy walks me to the restroom, and a bunch of the girls come with me—because apparently, that’s still a thing, even as married women.

Inside, I barely have time to fix my hair and check my lipstick before the interrogation begins.

“So, Aella, what the heck happened?” Coral asks, arms crossed, her head tilted in pure curiosity.

“What? I mean, uh, we kind of got married,” I say, shrugging as I wash my hands.

“Are his lipsfirm?” Coral asks.

“What?” I laugh.

“Does he know how to kiss?” she insists.

“Um, he knows how to doeverything,” I admit and rub my lips together.

“Okay, gross. That is my brother,” Andrea says, and makes gagging noises.

I laugh harder, but then Michaela steps closer, and I feel like I’m being judged. Her smile is warm, but it’s still scrutinizing.

“Sweetie, I am so happy for you. I just hope you’re ready for this,” she says, but and there’s something in her look that I don’t understand.

“Thanks?” I reply, cautiously.

Shelly claps her hands together, practically bouncing on her heels.

“I can’t believe it! I mean, you and Sammy. Wow!”

Jade scoffs, rolling her eyes like everyone should already know how this was inevitable.

“What are you talking about? She’s always crushed on him,” she says flatly, like it’s obvious.

Clementine nods in agreement.

“True. I just didn’t expect it to happen like this. I mean, what are the parents gonna say?” Coral asks, fixing her lip gloss.

“I know Mom and Dad will be happy,” Andrea chimes in, and I appreciate her. I really do.

“Look, I understand how emotions can overwhelm, but Aella, have you thought about howyour fatheris going to react?” Michaela asks.

“Ooh, yeah. I mean, you know I love all your parents, but Angel Fury in an actual fury. That’s gotta be rough,” Shelly replies.

“Well, I think it is terribly romantic. Like Romeo & Juliet—” Leanna starts but is cut off by several moans.

“Don’t say that! They both died,” Andrea reminds us, unnecessarily.

Suddenly, I want to be anywhere else.

Because while I’ve been floating on cloud nine, everyone else has been analyzing my marriage like it’s some kind of science experiment.

And I don’t like it.

Not at all.

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