Page 5 of I Always Will

“Take it up with Mum and Dad.”

“Interestingly, we are allowed to change our names or use nicknames different from the ones our parents gave us.” His voice was so lofty and cheerful and unbothered. Alexandria didn’t have time for it, nor did she understand it.

“Well, I’m telling you that’s not my name. So there.” She shook her head at having resorted to ‘so there’ like they were children again. “Now, tell me how you’re getting married and who to. Has anyone even met your future spouse?”

“Her name is Esme. She’s beautiful and fun and free—”

“As opposed to a paid spouse?”

“Hilarious,” he deadpanned, and Alexandria could justhearhim rolling his eyes. “She’s great and she makes me happy. And yes, I know getting engaged after three-and-a-half months is a little fast, but it’s just so right. We’re so happy.”

Of course you are. It’s not even been four months. Anyone can be happy for that long. But marriage…?

She sagged back in her desk chair, drumming the pads of her fingers on the desk. “Is it at least going to be a long engagement?” she asked, hopefully.

He laughed in a way that was not promising. “That’s the best part. It’s in thirty-two days.”

Alexandria felt like her lungs had turned inside out. “Thirty-two days? As in, just over a month?”

“Exactly like that. So book your time off now because there’s no way you’re not being there, and I know you don’t like taking time off with short notice, but a month is not short notice.”

“It is for a wedding.” She pressed her eyes closed, her forehead scrunching up. “It’s a marriage, Daniel. How are you marrying someone you’ll only have known for four months when you commit your life to them? This is ridiculous.”

“Deep breaths, sis. Everything is going to be just fine. I’mhappy. I know I’m making the right decision.”

“How can you know that? Have you even asked what she wants in life? Do you know if she’s financially stable? If she wants kids?”

He laughed. “Yes. I have asked all of the important questions. I know this is hard for you to comprehend, but some of us are just a little more relaxed than you are.”

“There’s a difference between relaxed and impetuous,” she replied.

“So, you’re coming, right?” He said, laughing off her very valid concerns. “And you’re going to be happy for me?”

She heaved a sigh. “Of course I’ll come. And yes, I’m happy for you, but I will be worried about you, too.”

“I wouldn’t expect anything less.” Alexandria could hear the amusement in his tone. She wasn’t sure what there was to be amused about—marrying someone you’d known for less than half a year. It was recklessness to thenth degree.

“Why are you even waiting thirty-two days if you’re this eager to do it?”

“Ah, friends, foes, and fellow humans, we’ve found a law Alexandria Daley doesn’t know about.”

Her face burned, even though she knew it was ridiculous. She didn’t know every law, she didn’t need to know every law. She wasn’t a lawyer. But still, she hated being teased. “Which law?”

His voice softened, apparently hearing the distress in her frustrated tone. “Marriage licences. You have to give twenty-eight days' notice.”

She had actually known that, it just wasn’t knowledge that was at the forefront of her mind. Why would it be? Most of the people she knew weren’t running down the aisle with people they’d barely met. “Right. Well, I suppose we can thank that for slowing you down a little at least.”

“You know I hate being slowed down. You only get one life, Al. Got to live it fast and wild.”

“And married to a complete stranger,” she muttered.

She was sure he heard, but he chose to ignore it. Instead, he simply asked, “Can you come home this weekend?”

“No,” she replied automatically.

“Hey!” he protested. “You can’t complain about people not meeting my bride-to-be when you’re not even making the effort.”

“Ordinarily, people give their families more than thirty-two days to meet their future spouses.” She sighed. “That’s what you want me home for, though?”

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