Page 59 of Otto: The Hawthornes

“Fine,” Otto said, towing me toward the door. “Three days then.”

“Otto,” I hissed, pulling at his hold.

“Your bride doesn’t seem super excited,” Heather mused, blocking the doorway.

“I just—” I looked between them, my voice faint. “Three days?”

“Why wait?” Otto asked, lifting my hand to kiss the back of it. I thought he was laying it on a bit thick, but the gesture still made my stomach swoop.

“We can pull something together in three days,” Heather said with a shrug.

“Cool, thanks,” Otto said offhandedly as he tugged me toward the door.

His mom snorted, putting her hand up to stop him. “I think Esther may want a hand in planningher wedding,” she said wryly.

“You wanna pick decorations and shit out?” Otto asked me, like he already knew the answer.

“Yeah,” I replied softly, glancing at his mom.

I hadn’t been kidding. I didn’t plan to get married more than once. If this was the only chance I had, then I was going to at least make it something I could tell the baby about.

“Alright,” he replied almost instantly. He reached into his back pocket and pulled out his wallet. In a few quick movements he was laying a pile of hundred dollar bills onto my hand.

“Holy crap,” I breathed in disbelief. Why the heck did he carry so much cash?

“Jesus, Otto,” his mom muttered.

“Emergency stash,” he said with a shrug. “Buy what you need.”

When I hesitated, still staring at the money, he leaned down to catch my eye. “You need more? You can take my debit card.”

“No,” I practically shouted, grabbing for his hand before he could open his wallet again. “No, this is plenty.”

“You sure?” he asked, looking over at his mom.

“I’ll pay for any extras,” she said, grinning.“Moneybags.”

“Whoa,” his grandpa muttered, catching sight of us from the hallway. “You carry that much cashonyou?”

“It’s my emergency stash,” Otto said again in exasperation.

“We got an emergency?” Grease asked.

“Mom and Esther are gonna get shit for the wedding.”

“Wait,” I breathed, gripping Otto’s hand. “We’re going right now? You’re not coming with us?”

“I’m happy with goin’ to the courthouse,” he replied easily. “You wanna do the fancy shit, my mom’ll help you.”

I tried not to scowl as he turned back to his grandpa. It was his wedding, too. Didn’t he care? For all he knew, I’d buy him a bright purple suit. I looked over his hoodie, leather vest, jeans and work boots. Never mind. I’d never get him to wear a suit.

Of course he didn’t want to go wedding shopping. Why was I letting it bother me? He was about to take care of all the problems I’d been afraid of for the past four months. I should be grateful. My stomach still sank as he let go of my hand and took a step forward to follow his grandpa.

Heather’s foot came out and Otto tripped over it, making him stumble.

“The hell?” he barked, glaring at his mom.

Heather glared right back, and this went on for a long moment.

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