Page 48 of Kiss the Bride
Mitch: I love her. If you are her friend, you’ve gotta help me get her back.
Hunter: Why?
Mitch: Would you pick up your fucking phone and talk like a man?
Mitch: She’s my fiancée.
Even he can’t be that stupid. Olivia stopped being his fiancée when she said there would be no wedding.
Mitch: I want her back.
Mitch: As my best man, it’s your job to help me.
I generally hate leaving a thread open and without a reply. For Lina and Mitch, I make exceptions.
Almost as if she knows I’m awake, my phone buzzes with an incoming text.
Mum Clem: Darling how are you?
Only mum understands what this must be doing to me. Which is fine because my world hasn’t fallen apart.
Hunter: Great weather. Can’t wait for you to see my new tan.
Mum Clem:That bad? Probably better than you being here.
I wait, knowing she likes to drag out the drama. Or, perhaps, she texted me on her way to meet friends at their 5 a.m. training session. Mum will tell me more, eventually. My phone buzzes again and I look down, but instead of my mother, it’s another parent wrecked by insomnia caused by worry.
Liv (Dad):Have retained a lawyer. Mitchel believes Olivia is about to forgive him. Thoughts? W.
Hunter: He’s delusional. Hasn’t spoken to Liv and happy to screenshot our conversations for you to pass over to lawyer.
I don’t expect a response, but it comes back almost instantaneously.
Liv (Dad):How is she?
Hunter: Stronger than she thinks.
Liv (Dad):The two of you?
I’m not about to lie to the man I used to joke was my second father. But now isn’t the time to tell him the whole truth.
Hunter: I’ll try and get her to call you after breakfast. Yesterday was a little rough.
Liv (Dad):Take care of my girl.
Hunter: Always.
It’s not even time for the birds to wake. Seriously, people need to get sleep.
Mum Clem: We are worried about you.
Hunter: I’m fine.
Mum Clem:Olivia is vulnerable right now.
Hunter: I’m looking after her.
Mum Clem: And what about when she starts looking at you as a replacement. I don’t want you to get hurt.
