Page 50 of Meant for Me
The girl slowly lowered her hands, her scowl back in place. “Finally.”
Well, at least Amelia assumed the kiss had been a good one.
After they settled up with Judge Morrow and retrieved their signed license, they made their escape outside, the sun a welcome relief as the courthouse doors closed behind them. Zoey inhaled a deep breath of air, ribs straining against her dress and that horrible underwire. Birds chirped from the nearby pines, and somewhere down Village Lane, a horn honked.
They’d done it.
They were married.
They filed down the courthouse steps, Linc’s hand grazing Zoey’s back as if protecting her from tripping in her low heels. Her heart skipped a little. See? He cared. Just because he didn’t want to kiss her didn’t mean he didn’tcare.
She had a feeling she was going to have to learn to be content with those kinds of gestures. After all, low expectations meant less room for disappointment. More room for sunshine.
And this family was going to need all that Zoey could possibly generate.
Linc jerked his head toward Amelia. “By the way, we’re going to keep this just between us three for a bit. Keep the town busybodies out of it.”
Amelia stopped walking. “That might be hard to do.”
“Why do you say that?” Zoey frowned. “I mean, I know it’s Magnolia Bay, but I figure we have a few days at least before word spreads.”
Ugh. To that point, Elisa might kill her, but she’d deal with that later. Or maybe she could just tell Elisa, and make her promise not to?—
“Because look.” Amelia pointed.
Zoey followed her gaze to a limo parked in front of the courthouse, pink streamers and cans tied to the bumper. The back windshield read JUST MARRIED.
Uh-oh.
They all stopped short. Linc bumped into Zoey’s hip. “Maybe it’s not for us?” Hope pricked his tone. “People get married at courthouses all the time.”
“Guess again.” Amelia pointed again—to the chauffeur climbing out the driver’s side, holding a sign that clearly read LINC AND ZOEY FONTENOT.
“Was this you?” Zoey asked. Then realized there was no way Amelia could pay for something like that. But who?—
Amelia scoffed. “As if. Probably one of your mushy friends.”
Zoey met Linc’s eyes, which had widened with a slight panic. Amelia was probably right. How would their friends have known?
“This way, please. There’s a reception waiting for you.” The smiling driver in a black hat grandly opened the back door of the limousine. “Ladies first.”
Zoey slowly slid into the limo after Amelia, forcing a polite smile as the driver shut their door and Linc headed around the vehicle to the other side. She clenched her hands in her lap, staring at the glistening ring on her finger against the white fabric of her sundress.
She’d gotten everything she’d ever really wanted. Marriage to her best friend. A family. Even a surprise party.
So why did her natural sunshine feel so thoroughly blocked by clouds?
eleven
The Magnolia Blossom had been transformed into a frothy, lacy, cupcake-laden reception hall. From her assigned booth by the window, evident by the white streamers draping the entire table and the BRIDE sign scribbled in marker, Zoey bit into a chocolate cupcake with hot pink icing. Frosting squished into her teeth. They’d probably be stained later, but the treat tasted so great, she didn’t even care. She’d decided to chase away the clouds and have fun at her party—even if things weren’t ideal.
As always, she’d look on the bright side.
“Okay, spill it. How did you guys know?” Zoey accepted a cup of creamy white punch from Elisa, who slid into the booth across from her. She took a sip, casting a quick look around the crowded room for Amelia. She’d lost her in the initial overwhelming fray of warm wishes and congratulations. Maybe she’d escaped to the bathroom.
“Mama D knows all.” Elisa, wearing a sleeveless pink sundress that matched the decorations, toasted Zoey with her own clear punch cup. “Including someone who works at the courthouse, apparently.”
Ah. They should have guessed that would happen.
