Page 50 of From Best Friend to Bride
She hadn’t looked it this morning when she’d done the macarena on her way out of the house while wearing a scarlet red dress and straw sunhat, let me tell you that.
The woman was more alive than I was.
Mum said she had no idea either, although I didn’t know how honest she was being about that. As for my sister… Well, Lucy only cared if could bring her salt and vinegar crisps. She’d burst out crying when I said I didn’t have any, and that was why I’d just left her workplace after leaving three of those huge grab bags at the front desk.
Nobody could tell me I was a bad sister, thank you very much.
It was also my day off, and running around after my hormonal, pregnant sister was certainly not something I’d worked into the plan of my day.
Actually, using the word ‘plan’ was somewhat of an exaggeration. All I had on my to-do list was find out what the hell my grandmother was giggling about and why she wassneaking around. I had a little suspicion it had to do with Granny—it usually did—and by extension, Fred.
My best friend.
My darling future husband.
The three of them together was truly a terrifying thought. Especially because I didn’t have to be a genius to reach the most obvious conclusion: It was about our unplanned, upcoming marriage.
Once again, I couldn’t help but lament how the hell I’d ended up here. The only saving grace was that the alternative was that I had to marry some random guy, and God only knew what kind of terrible habits he’d have.
At least I knew all of Fred’s bad sides. I could live with him for a couple of years.
And, really, I couldn’t help but think it wasn’t the worst thing in the world. I was getting an upgrade in the old living quarters, and not having to pay any bills would help my savings account out massively.
The chances of me leaving Hawthorne House unscathed were slim, but it was a risk I was willing to take.
If worst came to worst, I’d just ask Amelia to help me escape in the dead of night. Given how upset she was when she found out I was ‘marrying down’ by becoming her brother’s wife, I didn’t think it would be too much of a stretch to think she’d help.
Then again, there was every chance she’d get too used to me living there and not let me go.
Hmm.
Maybe I’d put my ‘use Amelia to escape’ plan on the backburner for now.
I took my green tea from the barista and turned around, almost running into Aunt Vi.
“Oh, Deli!” She smiled widely at me. “Good morning, dear.”
“It’s one-thirty, Aunt Vi.”
She looked at the clock above the barista’s station. “Oh, so it is. Good afternoon, then.”
I grinned. “Good afternoon. I didn’t think I’d run into you here.”
“Don’t tell anyone, but I’m addicted to Anne’s millionaire slices,” she whispered, leaning in close to me and nodding at the girl who’d just served me my tea. “They box them up for me every few days and I smuggle them into my bedroom like a mother hiding her favourite sweets from her toddler.”
“They are damn good,” I agreed. “Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me.”
Her smile widened as the box was brought over, and she tapped her card against the reader. “When you move in, I’ll tell you where the box is, and you can help yourself to my treats.”
I sighed as we headed for the door. “I might have to take you up on that. I’ll keep it stocked, too, don’t worry.”
Aunt Vi laughed and stepped out into the sunshine after me, pulling her oversized sunglasses down from the top of her head. “You half-live with us at this point. What’s a few more of your belongings in Fred’s room?”
“It’s the Fred’s room part that is the problem,” I muttered. “Did you know he talks in his sleep?”
“Yes, but you turn into a little koala when you sleep, so I think your bad habits even each other out somewhat.”
Well… that was a tough one to argue with.
