Page 46 of Ruined Vows

But this security agency idea is the only thing I’ve been passionate about since?—

Well in a long while.

I give my head a small shake.

It doesn’t matter. Right now, me and him want the same thing: Kira’s safety. And for me to avoid being in a room with Kira’s mother ever again. No big deal. Done and dusted.

* * *

Right before dessert,Kira’s dad stands up to make a toast. It’s been a calm, boring evening, fine by me. I’ve been profiling everyone in the room and clocking anyone whose eyes linger on Kira a little longer than usual.

“I want to thank you all for gathering together tonight to celebrate our beloved daughter Kira’s engagement. I can’t imagine a finer young man than Drew here.” He’s walked around the table and clamps one hand firmly on Drew’s shoulder and the other on Kira’s. Then he turns his head up toward the ceiling.

“Father God, I want to call upon your name to blessthe righteous union of these two young people to your glory. Father God, we know you do not just dole out your blessings upon the unworthy, but only to those deserving of your name, to the people of God who will one day walk upon the streets of the gold in the new heaven and the new earth.No good thing will he withholdeth from them that walk uprightly.Psalm 84:11. And so we call down your blessings upon Drew and Kira to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with you, O God. Amen.”

“Amen,” comes a resounding chorus of voices.

I look around at the couple of other security guards posted around the room. I didn’t know we were praying. There’s a round of applause as Kira’s father goes back to sit down. Huh. I also didn’t know people applauded prayers.

Granted, I don’t know much about church, but from what services I was dragged to in my chaotic childhood, I feel like I do remember something about not performatively praying so other people can hear you. I always thought that was a good point because I can remember wondering why the pastors always had to be so long-winded.

Next, Kira’s fiancé stands up. I shift slightly in my at-ease stance and struggle not to roll my eyes. This oughta be good.

Drew looks down at Kira and reaches for her hand. After a moment’s hesitation, she hands it to him.

“My beautiful Kira.” He swallows like he’s holding back emotion. I’ve always had a knack for knowing people, and I can tell it’s a performance for the crowd. “We’ve known each other ever since we were little kids playing in the sandbox together, with my mom yelling at me to stop tossing sand in your hair.”

Polite chuckles come from around the table.

I’ll give it to the guy. He’s good at playing their game. He knows what to say and how to make them all eat out of the palm of his hand. He’ll make for a good politician like his daddy.

“You’ve always been there for me, from the awkward junior high years and being my best friend all throughout high school.”

I can’t tell for sure, but I swear I see Kira flinch a little when he mentions high school. Like something happened between them then. But she quickly covers it as he continues on.

“People always said we’d end up here,” he grins wide, taking her one hand in both of his. “Like two peas in a pod, that’s always been us. And look, here we finally are. You’ve grown from being the little girl chasing me around the playground to an awkward teen and finally to the beautiful woman who stands before me today.”

He laughs and breaks eye contact with her to look around at the breathless crowd. “Maybe one day I’ll even get her out of these glasses, am I right?”

Chuckles greet his shitty joke, and I see pink hit her cheeks. Even though I’m far away, I can feel her embarrassment at the cheap shot. This is coming from the man who’s supposed to love and cherish her for the rest of his days? My hand tightens into a fist behind my back.

He continues on obliviously. “No, but seriously.” His eyes finally come back to rest on Kira. “You were always the only woman I was ever going to marry, babe. Everyone else was just practice for the real thing, and I hope you’ll forgive me for how many years it’s taken me to finally put this ring on your finger.”

Then he gives a lopsided grin, hamming it up for the crowd again. “But you’re stuck now. You’ve already said yes, and it’s a little too late to take back the ring because I bought it four years ago, waiting for just the right moment to give it to you.”

Kira’s eyes widen and I can see she’s genuinely shocked. “Four years ago?” she gasps.

He nods solemnly. “I meant to give it to you then. I wanted to give it to you right after graduation.” He looks earnest enough. Still, it physically pains me when she starts to cry.

“Why did you wait so long, then?” she whispers.

“I knew you were worried about the degree you were about to start. I didn’t want to be like Theo and Hannah. When we really, trulybegan, I knew I wanted you to be my last first date.”

Kira looks up at him with something like hope but also a healthy dose of mistrust, too. She glances around them, noting the public forum he’s chosen for this confession.

“Last year, the time was finally right.” He grins. “And look at us now. About to become man and wife. I vow, future Mrs. Drew Underwood, to make you the happiest woman on earth.” He pulls her up out of her seat by the hand he’s holding.

She looks surprised and I take half a step forward when he pulls her into his arms and plants his lips on hers. I want to yank the bastard off her because I can’t tell if this is something she wants.

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