Page 19 of The Runaway Bride of Blitzen Bay (Blitzen Bay)

Chapter Ten

NOELLE

December 22

Los Angeles, California

“Mom, I don’t think I can marry Steve.”

My body’s shaking like I’m sitting naked in the middle of a snowdrift. I’m actually sitting in my bridal suite dressed in my wedding gown. I’m getting married in thirty minutes.

“I’ll marry him if you don’t!” Carissa says too loudly. She’s my maid-of-honor. She’s always had a crush on Steve.

I look at my bridesmaids. For the first time, I realize they’re all girlfriends of Steve’s friends. Since we’ve been dating, I’ve lost touch with the friends I had before him. Why am I just realizing this?

My throat starts to close. I can’t take a deep breath. My heart feels like it’s about to burst through my chest. I’ve never had a panic attack, but I’m guessing this is the start of one.

“Girls, it’s almost time!” Mom’s voice is shrill. She ushers my bridesmaids out of the room. “Carissa, will you find Noelle’s father? Tell him to come up here. It’s almost time for him to walk his daughter down the aisle!”

They blow me kisses as they leave. “We’ll see you down there, Noelle!”

Mom closes the door and turns around slowly. She’s wearing a skintight, lace sheath dress. It’s the brightest white I’ve ever seen. It’s much whiter than my bridal gown.

“Refresh your lipstick, Noelle. It needs one more coat.”

“Mom, didn’t you hear me? I don’t want to get married. I can’t get married.”

She walks over to me—each step more deliberate than the last—until she’s standing inches from me. She tries to lean over to look me directly in the eyes, but her dress is too tight. Instead, she grabs my bare shoulder and pinches it.

“You’re being dramatic again, Noelle. We’ve talked about it so many times. It’s not necessary to use drama to get attention. Of course, you’re getting married. And then you’re moving to Dallas.” She lets go of my shoulder and flings her arm in the air as she turns around. “Do whatever little yoga breathing you need to do to get yourself together. I’ll be outside with your father.”

When she closes the door, I walk over to lock it. My legs are shaking so hard I don’t think they can support me anymore. I sink against the door. The dress’s tight bodice digs into my ribs and makes it even harder to breathe. I feel like I’m about to pass out.

I slap my cheeks a few times to try to clear the panic that’s swirling around in my head. I need to focus. I try to take a deep breath and start coughing uncontrollably. My eyes start to water. I crawl over to the makeup table to get a tissue.

I dab my eyes and throw it away. Something in the trash can catches my eye. The light’s reflecting off a piece of glass. I brush away the tissue to reveal an empty vodka bottle from Kit’s visit last night. Kit—that’s who I need right now. I grab my phone.

My gut has never been wrong.

Just sending the text makes my breathing slow down a little bit.

It’s never been wrong and it’s not wrong now. You can’t get married. Not to him.

She’s right. I know it. She knows it. Mom probably even knows it. This marriage isn’t right. I’ve known it for months. I wish I’d called it off with more than twenty-five minutes left on the clock, but it is what it is. This marriage is not going to happen. I know that for sure now. My head starts to clear, and my hands have almost stopped shaking.

I can’t do this. Can you cause a scene? I need to escape.

My legs are working again. I look out the window. Kit broke the drain pipe away from the building when she climbed up here last night. There’s no way I could shimmy down it with this dress on anyway. I need to change. I look around for some other clothes.

“Noelle, your father’s coming up the stairs.” Mom’s voice sounds strained. “It’s time.”

She tries to open the door. She starts rattling the doorknob. There’s no time to change my clothes. I have to go now. I need to get Mom away from the door. My phone beeps.

Can I cause a scene? Who do you think you’re talking to?!! Just tell me when to start.

My body stops shaking. I look in the mirror. My eyes are telling me this is right.

Start now. And make it big. I need Leni to leave her post at my door.

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