Page 52 of Until Kendal
Returning to the hotel where we'd stayed a few nights ago seemed surreal. This time, Kendal wasn’t glancing around everywhere, and she stayed on my arm as she led me across the street to the same bakery/coffeeshop we’d gone to a few days ago. Our lives seemed so different now.
She pointed me to the bakery and said, “I’m going to buy a white dress for the courthouse.”
“Do you want me to come?” I asked, but I knew she wanted to do this on her own. My chest filled with pride that she would soon be my wife.
She kissed my cheek. “No. Order yourself a tea, and I’ll join you in the coffeeshop once I find it. I won’t be long.”
I put my arms on her hips and held her for a second. “I’ll miss you.”
Her eyes fluttered closed, and the thrill of having her again raced through me. Our lips melded as one. As she left me, I heard birds chirping. I laughed, then she waved goodbye. I didn’t move until she disappeared into a store, but then I spotted a suit store across the street.
We would both wear new today, so I headed in and bought a tie and a white shirt off the rack. My pants I wore were already tailored to me, and no tailor would be able to fit me in within the hour. It wasn’t much, and life together wasn’t going to be perfect all the time, but Kendal made life better.
I headed back to the coffeeshop where I’d been told to wait and ordered a tea. As I sat, my brother called.
“Arman, when we get to the beach house this weekend, I’ll have a surprise announcement,” I said.
He laughed. “Maman and Pedar will take your stable relationship as a reason to say I need to straighten out my life.”
Arman needed some grounding, but I wasn’t sure how to help him. I never had a lost childhood love, so I only said, “It will be good to see you in person again.”
“Likewise.”
I didn’t tell him my plan. He didn’t need to know as long as he and the rest of my family knew that I was happy.
ChapterForty-Six
Kendal
Finding a dress wasn’t as hard as I'd thought it would be. The bridal shop had a collection of short, simple courthouse gowns, so when I narrowed it down and tried them on, I found a satin backless knee-length A-line with a sweetheart neckline that fit like a dream. At checkout, I grabbed a pair of blue high-heeled shoes. While I didn’t have old or borrowed, I would nod a bit to tradition.
As I headed back onto the street, my phone rang. Cobi was calling to check on me.
“So what kind of time is he looking at?” I asked.
“I’d guess five to ten years minimum, and he’d be eligible for parole again, though a trial and jury would ultimately decide.”
I closed my eyes. I’d hoped he would stay gone forever. Before Joel, my heart would have raced, but I glanced up at the bright sun and said, “It doesn’t matter. I won’t be here. Thank you, though.”
“Sorry I can’t give you better news.”
My lips curved higher—my father was never going to be in my life again. Joel’s building had security, and my father would never have the cash to go anywhere. I only said, “Look, it’s fine, and you rock, but today, I’m getting married.”
“You’re what!” Ellie’s surprised voice came from behind me.
“I have to go,” I told Cobi and spun to face her. “Ellie, I didn’t see you there.”
She waved her hand in front of me then looped our arms. “We need to get your hair and makeup done right now.”
The salon wasn’t far, but it was already one o'clock, and the courthouse closed at five. However, being with friends for a few minutes would be amazing. “We’re eloping. I’m texting Joel so he doesn’t worry, but I don’t have a lot of time.”
She held up her hand like she was swearing on a Bible. “We’ll work fast. And it’s okay to make your man wait to see your beauty.”
A small giggle escaped me and I sent my message.
I needed to be the best version of myself, so I nodded, and we rushed.
Ellie’s chair was open, so she directed me there as Kimberly and the others all congratulated me while she spoke on the phone.
