“I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t marry him.”

I should have felt guilty. I knew I should, but I didn’t. Instead, a strange sense of relief settled over me.

She sighed into the phone. “I’m glad to see you finally came to your senses. I’ll be there in a few minutes. Stay out of sight until I get there.”

I handed Blanche her phone. “Thank you. My friend is on her way.”

She patted my shoulder. “Good luck to you, sweetie.”

She was about to walk away when I stopped her. “Wait.” I slid the enormous four-carat diamond ring off my finger and handed it to her. “Here, take this. Pawn it, keep it, buy a car with it, I don’t care.”

Her mouth pulled into a grin as she stared at the sparkling diamond. “I bet I could upgrade my interior cabin to a balcony suite if I sold this. Hell, maybe I could buy the whole damn boat.”

I smiled. “You deserve it.”

She frowned and looked up at me. “You sure you don’t want to keep it?”

I folded her fingers around the ring, so it was tightly in her palm. “Positive, it’s yours.”

She pursed her lips before walking to the door. She glanced over her shoulder one last time. “Nice dress, by the way. It’s a shame you had to waste it on that bozo.”

Then she was gone.

I looked up at the ceiling.I just ran from my wedding. From my father. From the only life I’d ever known.

My throat felt tight, but I refused to cry, because I had finally made a decision that was entirely mine.

The bathroom stall was cramped,leaving me with very little room to move around. The ridiculous, over-the-top wedding dress was bunched up around me as I tried to keep the heavy fabric off the dirty floor.I twisted awkwardly when I heard the bathroom door swing open, followed by the sound of heels clicking on the linoleum.

“Harlow,” Molly’s voice called softly.

I unlocked the stall door and peeked out to ensure she was alone.

“Molly.” My voice cracked at the sight of her.

Her eyes were smiling. “You look like a runaway bride in need of a rescue.”

I laughed and rubbed the tears underneath my eyes, probably smudging my mascara even more.

“That’s one way to put it.”

She stepped forward and wrapped her arm along my shoulder. “Let’s get you out of here. My car is in the parking lot.”

We stepped out of the bathroom, ignoring the curious glances from a group of utility workers sitting in a booth. I could only imagine how out of place I looked.I scanned the room, looking for Blanche. She was perched on the stool at the counter, scratching off some lottery tickets while finishing up her food.

I gave her a wave as we reached the door.

“Hey,” her raspy voice called out. “Make sure the next guy you plan to marry is worth ruining your mascara over, you hear? Life is too short to settle.”

Molly and I both laughed. “Don’t worry, Blanche, I’ve learned my lesson. Thanks again for all your help.”

She held up her hand, displaying the ring I gave her. “Don’t you worry about thanking me, honey. Remember, set higher standards for yourself. You deserve better, and if the next guy doesn’t treat you right, you send him packing.”

My face broke into a grin. “You got it. Have fun on your cruise.”

Once outside, I slid into Molly’s Rav-4 and was grateful she didn’t say a word until we hit the highway.

“So.” Molly glanced at me. “What’s the plan?”