Page 95 of That Kind of Guy

There was a knock on the door and we both paused.

“One second,” Hannah said before making her way to the front. Murmuring voices carried through the store, and a moment later, my mom appeared at my side.

“I wanted to check on you, see how you were holding up.” Her eyes were bright, the same dark blue as my own. She wore a navy-blue tea-length dress embroidered with tiny, delicate white flowers.

My mom had arrived in town first thing this morning, and we had breakfast at the restaurant. Her eyes had lit up as she took in the interior with the chandelier and heritage flooring, and again when she looked out the windows along the sparkling water. She was proud of me, I could tell, but there was a tinge of wistfulness in her expression, like she wished she could have a do-over.

When I told her that I didn’t invite my dad, I waited for her reaction. She simply nodded and patted my hand, and that was that. She understood.

“You look great,” I told her. “My mom is such a babe.”

She blushed. “Oh, stop it.” I could tell she loved it, though. She sighed and stepped back to take me in. “Just beautiful, honey. I’m so proud of you.”

My heart ached. I had the urge to tell her that it was all real, that I wanted to do this for real, and that I was madly in love with Emmett, but she already thought those things. My feelings didn’t make sense, so I squeezed them tight to keep them under control.

“Would you like a tea, Rina?” Hannah asked, leaning on a bookshelf.

“That would be lovely, honey, thank you.” My mom sent her a grateful smile and when Hannah disappeared into the back, she turned to scan my face. “How are you feeling?”

I couldn’t help the grin on my face. “I’m great. I’m excited. It’s going to be a fun party.”

She pressed her lips together in a line and her hand came to my arm, watching me carefully. “I just want—” She broke off and winced, shaking her head.

“What?”

Her mouth twisted to the side. “I just want to make sure you’re making the right decision. Emmett is a very nice man and I can see why you’ve chosen him, but I wish someone had asked me this question before I got married.”

Ah. Of course. I didn’t blame my mom for asking this. She barely knew Emmett and she had only heard I was with someone a few weeks ago. Of course it seemed fast. It was fast.

“Emmett isn’t Dad.”

“I didn’t say that he was,” she said quickly.

I nodded. “I know. I’m saying it. I saw what Dad did, and I won’t ever let that happen to me.”

Her gaze searched mine. She nodded to herself. “Yes. You’re different than me.”

I shook my head. “Not so different, no. But you raised me right.”

She laughed. “I felt like a failure a lot of times.”

“If I could pick again, I’d still pick you.” I ran my thumb over the fabric of my dress. “I wouldn’t do it any other way.”

She watched me again, but this time it was with fresh eyes, like she knew I’d be okay. I’d learned from her mistakes. What had happened to her, it wouldn’t happen to me.

Hannah breezed into the room with a couple mugs. “Peppermint or Earl Grey?”

My mom smiled. “Peppermint, please.”

The three of us sat there, drinking tea and chatting and laughing, until the tea was finished and our makeup was complete.

My mom stood. “May I use the washroom before we head over to the courthouse?”

Hannah pointed to the back room. “Through there to the left.”

My mom stepped into the back, and Hannah and I began to put our shoes on.

“Do you ever want to get married?” I worked the delicate strap through the buckle around my ankle.

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