Page 43 of Runaway Bride and Prejudice

I find myself giggling as Van picks up speed. “This has to be against store policy,” I tell him, even as I’m grinning.

His voice rumbles near my ear. “Do you always follow the rules, Mills?”

Yes. Honestly, I do.

I follow the rules, but what’s more, I think I often treat other people’s expectations of me—especially my dad’s, but also Drew’s—like rules as well. The thought starts to make my stomach sour.

But then Van gives us another push and we’re flying, laughter bubbling up out of me.

“Like I’ve been saying, it’s time to make your own rules,” Van says, then swerves to avoid a woman with a cart full of canned goods, not slowing down at all. Not bothered by her glare.

Van’s words send my brain humming, the idea for a new post taking shape. I should write about this experience—what to do when you find your fiancé cheating on the day of your wedding.

The rules for being a runaway bride.

Then I give my head a little shake. Who am I kidding? This is the Saturated-with-Information Age—there are likely thousandsof booksandblogs about this very thing. I bet someone has already penned aRunaway Bride for Dummiesbook.

But even if it’s already been written, the college professor in the one creative writing class I took once said that every story has been told but not byyouinyourwords. Seth Godin says only you have your distinctive voice and that hoarding it is toxic.

So … why not?

My fingers itch to open the package of pens and start writing in the yellow notebook.

Later.

Because now, I’m busy leaning into a very warm, sturdy chest of a man encouraging me to fly.

“We’re definitely going to get kicked out,” I say, gasping for breath as my giggles turn into full-blown laughter.

“They’d have to catch us first. And I’d like to see them try.”

As I grip the handles for dear life, my cheeks start to ache from smiling so big. I can’t remember the last time I feltthishappy.

With a cart full of bargain clothes, rolling at a quick pace through Walmart, with Van pressed close to my back, his laughter in my ear. Breaking so many rules and for once, thinking about making my own.

CHAPTER 8

THE DREAM TEAM

Alec:Mind telling us what exactly happened with the groom, Van? Is it true you stole the bride?

Logan:Parker wants to have a word when you get back.

Alec:Oooh someone’s in trouble…

Eli:Dude! Sounds to me like he saved Coach’s daughter from marrying a giant turd. If the rumors are to be believed.

Logan:I didn’t say Parker was MAD.

Alec:We all know what it means when Parker wants to “have a word.”

Logan:Watch it.

Alec:Hey, I didn’t say anything bad.

Eli:ANYWAY. TELL US WHAT HAPPENED!

Felix:Did you really walk in on the groom and someone hooking up? That’s so not cool.

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