Page 3 of Vicious Vows

I stare at my phone, hope fluttering through me.

Do you mean that?

Sure.

I’m having a lot of feelings right now.

Give me your top 3.

Top 3, huh? Okay.

1. I’m worried that my mother doesn’t want to remarry but doesn’t want to disappoint Grandmama.

2. I also have to wonder what Grandmama has planned, ya know?

3. I’m a bit sad/angry, too. Like, I should be the next one getting married, but now it’s going to be pushed to the back burner because everything that this family does is big and grand.

Sounds like your third reason is the actual issue.

Maybe.

Want my thoughts on it?

Sure.

Your grandmother was in charge for a long time, so she knows what she’s doing.

You’re probably right there.

As for marrying you off, who would you want to marry?

I look at the screen. Dare I tell him? I type out a reply before deleting it. No! I can’t just outright tell him I have a crush on him. Can I?

I haven’t given it much thought.

Hmm. Why do I feel you’re lying to me?

You really want to know?

Yes.

I’ve always had a bit of a crush on you.

Me?

Yeah.

I wait for him to reply, but he doesn’t. My face flames.

Did I scare you off?

No, just thinking.

About?

About a lot of things.

Come on, you have to give me more than that. I just told you I have a crush on you.

---