Page 27 of Never the Bride
“Sure, it will.”
I glance away, not wanting to get caught listening in on their conversation. But I’m back on the cowboy train, wondering why Hess has a barn.
Selena laughs, dragging my eyes to her and the way she leans into Landon and rests her head on his shoulder while she giggles at his joke, which probably wasn’t even funny.
“Okay, food trucks it is.” Landon places a soft kiss on the side of her head. “And if you get barbecue sauce on your dress, don’t blame me.”
“Personally, pulled pork and mac ‘n’ cheese sound a lot better than mini crab cakes.” Clyde’s eyes crinkle with fondness as he looks at my sister, and it hits me that, for the first time, Selena will have a father figure in her life—one that doesn’t seem like he sucks.
Selena’s biological dad, Hector, stayed married to my mom for about fourteen months. And after that, there was a revolving door of less-than-ideal men who came in and out of our childhood. Nothing stable and normal like Clyde Hamilton.
Clyde is tall and thin, like his son. He’s completely bald, which will probably happen to Landon over the years, but I don’t have the heart to point that out to my hairstylist sister. She’ll love him no matter what, even when he’s old and hairless.
I catch myself.
None of this matters, because their marriage won’t last long enough for Landon to lose his hair or for them to grow old together. Right? That’s what I said, what I predicted, what I know. Then, where did this idea of Selena growing old with Landon come from? I know better.
“We have a lot to do in such a short amount of time,” Dineen says. “If we can cross off the food, that will help a lot.”
A lot to do in a short amount of time?
I lean forward, taking a sip of the drink in front of me. “Sorry, when is this wedding happening?”
“Five and a half months.” There’s an edge of warning in Selena’s tone, or maybe it’s just a plea—a please-don’t-say-anything-about-how-fast-the-timeline-is desperation in her voice.
Somewhere in between the sip of water and my bitter laugh, I choke.
“Oh, looks like your drink went down the wrong tube,” Dineen says.
Nothing’s worse than coughing over and over while a group of people watches you intently.
“Eh, she’ll be alright.” Hess eats a chip through his smile.
“I thought the whole thing was a little fast,” Clyde keeps the conversation going despite my distress, “but I just want what the happy couple wants.”
He’s an enabler—enabling bad choices left and right.
“Five months?” I’m finally able to speak. “That means, by the time you two get married, you will have only known each other about eight months. Doesn’t that seem?—”
“Great!” Hess pops another chip in his mouth.
My glare comes in the shape of two tiny slits. “I was going to say crazy.”
“Crazy in love.” Hess adds an infuriating grin.
“Camila, I know you’re just trying to watch out for your little sister,” Landon says, leaning over to look directly at me. “And before I met Selena, I would’ve thought it crazy to get married to someone I’ve only known for eight months, but I promise I love her. You and I…we’ll take care of Selena and watch over her together.”
“Aww. How could I not love you?” Selena’s eyes brim with love, and she leans in for a tender kiss.
My heart twists with discomfort. I need to get on board with this marriage, or I will lose my sister for good. I can always come back later and say, 'I told you so,' when I’m picking up the pieces of her broken heart.
“You’re right.” I force an enthusiastic smile. “And tonight is about celebrating.” I scoot my chair back, grab the gift bag behind me, and hand it to Selena. “So, in honor of your engagement, I got you both a little something.”
“Cami, I don’t know how to thank you.”
“You might not thank me after you open it. It’s not a traditional engagement gift. But you can think of it as an early shower gift.”
She reaches into the bag excitedly and pulls out a skimpy, black negligee and holds it up for everyone at the table to see. “Cami, I can’t believe you!” She blushes. “Not in front of Landon’s parents!”
