Page 73 of The Cupcake Cottage

“You said it was okay.”

“What was I supposed to say? No? Be unsupportive of what you’re trying to do with your career just because I want my fiancé at my side on our first Valentine’s Day? That I’m too scared to show up at my ex’s wedding alone?”

“Yes! You’re supposed to be honest with me.”

“I’m so out of the loop that I showed up in a dress the same color as the bridesmaids—my friends. Women who were supposed to be my sisters.”

Supposed to be her sisters.

It was about Myles. She was losing Myles today.

He’d thought she was over him, that their love was enough.

Maverick inhaled slowly, willing his voice to come out calm and neutral. “Do you still love him?”

She looked so insulted he apologized. “Okay. Then what?”

“This…” She waved at the barn. Music had started up. Good old two-stepping music. “Family. I dreamed about this day and it’s just…”

Her expression was so forlorn, and he didn’t know how to fix it. He wasn’t from a big family like she craved. He had no siblings. He didn’t even know where his dad lived anymore.

“It feels like our wedding isn’t…” She let out a jagged sigh, then sniffed.

He’d assumed she felt the certainty and depth of their love like he did. He’d believed she’d be okay here alone today, among family and friends as part of her community. She was the woman who took on protesters. She didn’t crumble. What was this all truly about?

“It’s Valentine’s Day, Mav.”

He sighed and pulled her into his arms, sighing in relief. Valentine’s Day. He’d almost forgotten about the date, and she must have sensed it. He kissed the top of her head. “I got you flowers. Didn’t they get delivered?”

“No, but it’s not about flowers,” she grumbled. She didn’t soften into his arms like usual, and he stepped back, looking at her. He sensed that they needed to set their sights straight again. They were a team. They had a common goal to focus on.

“This is my life right now, and it’s not forever. I don’t want to sound harsh, but this is what you signed on for. You signed up to help me get to this place. And now I’m here. We’re in the show we set our sights on.”

He wanted to ask her if she was still with him, if she was in. But he was afraid of what her answer might be.

“I guess I forgot that this was all just some show.” She turned and strode away, her dress snapping at her calves.

Maverick watched her go, confused, as his image of what tonight was supposed to be like faded with the setting sun.

** *

“What’s wrong?” Myles asked. He was in his tuxedo, bowtie still in place, which was unlike him. He gestured with his chin, pointing toward the barn where music was blasting as the reception gained its party momentum.

“Nothing.” Daisy-Mae straightened, willing her damp eyes to act like the Sahara and dry up.

Honestly, she was scared. She’d told Maverick she couldn’t take more of him never being around. Except she wasn’t sure he’d actually heard her. They’d gotten engaged, and she’d barely seen him since. She didn’t know what the solution was, but she’d hoped they could at least talk without her crying or him getting impatient and defensive or assuming this was all about something else.

Daisy-Mae was debating going home again. But if she did, it might mean they were breaking up, and she didn’t want that. She wanted things to go back to the two of them having fun together again. Everything had gotten so heavy and full of business. It was just so…it was exhausting, and it brought out her worst insecurities. She hated feeling needy, and their current situation seemed to bring that out in her.

What if one of them was too flawed to make this work in the long term and in the real world? The world where everyone knew how amazing Maverick really was.

A few weeks ago, everything was marvelous and magical and wonderful. Now she felt like an eager schoolgirl with a crush, always at the ready for whenever Maverick had time for her. And because she’d said yes to an engagement so early in their relationship, it was as though he didn’t have to try very hard any longer. He could set her aside and she’d be there. Happy and willing to please.

She knew it wasn’t fair to feel this way, but she didn’t know how she could make herself feel any different.

“You two are great together,” Myles said, giving her a grin and a gentle nudge to pull her from her thoughts. He leaned against the barn wall beside her. “When we were teenagers, I thought he was going to fight me for you. Like, all the time.” He laughed.

Daisy-Mae rolled her eyes. Any teenage girl with a self-esteem as low as hers who was proficient in flirting and wore tight clothes got a lot of attention.

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