Page 27 of Why Not Forever?

He nods and we leave it at that. I return to Vic’s side, and she smiles up at me before I take my place next to her on the couch. My heart hammers in my chest as I take her hand again and she lets me, lacing her fingers through mine.

“Is everything okay?” she asks, her voice low as the conversations continue around us.

I stare at her for a long moment before I nod. “What about you, in here?”

She smiles wryly. “I can handle nosy, Tanner. I’ve been just fine. I’m going to need you to draw me a chart, though.”

I chuckle. “A chart for what?”

She waves a hand at the people around us. “Names and connections. A family tree. So I can keep everyone straight. Study material.”

I reach up and tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. “Why do you want to study my family tree?”

“So I can know who everyone is. They’re important to you, so they’re important to me. It’s the least I can do as your fiancée, isn’t it?”

I have never wanted to kiss her more than I do at this moment, but I’m not supposed to do that, so I kiss her cheek instead. “You’re amazing,” I tell her. “I’ll make you a chart.”

I’ll do anything she asks. Because if there’s even a tiny chance she could fall in love with me, I will do everything I can to make it happen.

Chapter 10

Vic

Ifeelthatkissagainstmy cheek the rest of the night and for the whole drive home. I hadn’t thought it was that big of a deal, figuring out who the people in his family are. Mine is easy: parents, one brother. I have my found family, of course, but Tanner already knows most of them. But his? Only a few people were there, and I still had trouble keeping straight who was who.

The next day, I get our invitations sent in the mail and meet Mom, Adalie, Lis, and Ava at a dress shop that Blue Vista has worked with before. They’re one of the places we list as a partner on our website and, since I know and adore the owner, I have no intention of shopping anywhere else.

An assistant meets us at the door, introducing herself as Harmony, and leads us through the store.

“I will try on one ball gown for you, Mom. But I will not be buying one,” I say as we walk.

“Why not?” Her tone is whiny.

“Multiple reasons. First, because I’m getting married in a few weeks and there’s no way they’ll have the dress ready in time.”

“We can pay for a rush. Your father and I set aside money for your wedding years ago.”

I shake my head. “I’ve already told you, you’re not paying for my wedding.”

“Why not?” she asks again, this time confused.

“Because. It’s my wedding. Also, I’m not buying a ball gown because I don’t like them.”

We walk past a section of dresses, and one catches my eye. I stop to look at it before my mother tugs me along to the back area, where there is a couch for my friends and a raised platform for me to stand in front of the mirrors.

As I suspected she would, she forces me into a huge, glittering ball gown. I put it on to appease her. Thankfully, every one of my friends agrees with me that it’s all wrong. Mom pouts, but cedes the point. I try on a few dresses in a few different styles next. A mermaid dress with a sweetheart neckline, a sheath dress with straps and no back, a drop waist with a full skirt. None of them are exactly right. I come out in my fifth dress—a halter sheath dress—and note Lis and Adalie are gone, leaving Ava alone with my mother.

“Where did they go?” I ask.

They return almost before I finish speaking, holding a dress.

“You should try this one next,” Lis says, holding it up.

“Yes,” Adalie agrees.

It’s the one I noticed on the way in.

My mother scoffs. “That is not a wedding dress,” she says.

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