Page 5 of The Love Trick

But I donotfit their vibe ninety-nine percent of the time.

Despite my best efforts to blend in, I’m fully aware that I’ve always been the odd one out. I much prefer wearing yoga pants over designer outfits. I’d rather hang out with dogs than socialites. And I’d choose getting lost in a book over gossiping at a tea party any day. I just wish they could understand and accept me for who I truly am. But it’s hard to feel seen when everyone has a predetermined idea of who you should be.

Not to mention, my mom acts like a Stepford wife when she gets around my granny—as if she’s suddenly transported back to the 1950s, all perfect hair and impeccable manners.

And she expects us to act the same.

I take a deep breath and zone out, ignoring my buzzing phone.

I’m sure it’s Blaze. And considering I just sent an SOS, he’s probably worried about my actual well-being.

“So, I’ll finish booking all the rooms today,” the wedding planner says, smiling as she flips a page in her notebook. “And the photographer is also taken care of.”

“Were you able to get the videographer I wanted?” Aurora sounds legitimately concerned right now. “It’ssoimportant that we book him.”

“When I reached out to him, he said he had a conflict…” The wedding planner suddenly looks worried.

“Just pay whatever it takes to get him there,” Mom intervenes. “At this point, I’ll do anything to make her wedding day exactly what she wants it to be.”

Spoiled.

Of course, I know my mom would do the same for me. She’d probablyloveto fuss over holy matrimony on my behalf. It’s just too bad that I’m on the verge of being forever alone. It’s a real problem.

Well, for them.

Not so much for me.

I’ve been there, done that. I’ve dated the kinds of men that are considered “acceptable” to my family. But most of them were like hollow shells, too consumed with appearances and their own self-importance to truly connect with another human being.

Needless to say, the relationships never lasted longer than a few months, if that.

I’ve since learned to be content with my independence and the company of Blaze and dogs. At least dogs don’t judge you or try to change you into something you’re not.

Ugh.

The pressure to fit into my family’s mold has always weighed heavy on my shoulders, but today for some reason, it feels unbearable.

Why does my worth have to be measured by the man on my arm or the size of the diamond on my finger?

I stare off at the wallpaper as they go on to talk about music playlists, fittings for the dresses, and toasts. I don’t know when wallpaper started coming back in style, but I wish it hadn’t.

“Excuse me?” Our hostess Molly steps into the room, her face pale.

Mom looks immediately annoyed. “Yes?”

“It appears that Miss Adeline Harper Williams”—she refers to the notepad in her hand as she spouts off my full name—“is needed right away. I believe it’s afamilyemergency.”

I raise a brow and then turn to my mother. “I have no idea what could be wrong.”

“You must have the wrong person,” Aurora argues. “Our entire family is here. Well, except for our father, but he wouldn’t call forAddy.”

Ah yes, because I’m the last person anyone wants.

Molly shakes her head. “The gentleman in the lobby is extremely adamant thatAdeline Harper Williamsis, indeed, needed.”

I try to peer around Molly, hoping to catch a glimpse of thegentlemanin the lobby—though I must admit, I’ve got a pretty good idea as to who it might be.

And I’m literally going to attack him with joy.

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