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.

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