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The mermaid’s chin wobbled. “Warren loves me. He just doesn’t know how to stop this train…”
OMG.
The mermaid wiped at her tears and motioned to the church.
Nooo.
Several men on the bride’s side rose. For a better look? For a rumble?
One of the acolytes powered up his candle lighter. The glow of the flame promised trouble.
Not good.
Mikah’s grip tightened and he rose to his feet, pulling her up with him.
Kiernan pushed on her back. “Move.”
“I’ve got her.” Mikah drew her into the aisle.
Everyone’s attention was on the front of the church. Mikah rushed her down the aisle, with his friends behind them, like a reverse wedding procession.
Piper focused on the stained-glass double doors offering freedom. Don’t look back. Her peripheral vision showed the vestibule holding nine bridesmaids and Willow waiting for their cue to march in. They all carried bouquets of red flowers with faux strawberries on sticks. Willow, the pixie-haired bride, clutched her father’s arm.
Piper did not stop.
No.
Her neck turned her head, making her look.
Willow lifted her veil revealing her blanched face. Her fiery, blame-filled gaze tracked Piper’s every footfall to the exit.
* * *
Mikah couldn’t have been happier to get the hell out of the wedding. Taking a woman to a hotel was cake. But feeding her thoughts of rings and eternity first was not how he rolled. And that ceremony, Jeez, worst he’d been to.
Kiernan got the limo door. “Can’t believe Mrs. Applebaum threw Piper under the bus like that.”
Yeah, especially when his big mouth had caused the problem.
They all tumbled in and collapsed against the leather seats.
“I thought she could have gone harder.” Liam laughed and kicked his legs out. “This one’s on you, Kiernan.”
“Bro.” Kiernan held up his palms. “We all knew it was true. Piper dated the groom. She knows what he looks like, ass out. She had the right end of the stick.”
Liam opened his palms. “Piper said she’d made a mistake.”
Piper held up her palms, matching Liam’s gesture, and her face flushed cherry red. “Guess not.” Her jumpy nerves still showed, and her green gaze darted around the limo as if Mrs. Applebaum might flatten herself against an outside window to stop the vehicle from leaving the lot.
She rubbed her arms. “After I was no longer dating Warren.” She grimaced and kept on talking. “Mrs. Applebaum let me know in detail why Willow was a better fit for their family. I haven’t dated anyone seriously since.”
Piper shifted so she was facing Mikah. “How about you?” She fluttered her hand toward the back window, which showed the church receding in the distance. “Get close to anything like that? Or was your Valentine’s Day extra special like mine?”
Mikah ignored that conversational volley. He wanted to calm Piper, but he wasn’t willing to reveal his thoughts on deep, lifelong, loving relationships. That topic was as foreign to him as Martian soil. In fact, he knew more about Mars mineral matter and was more willing to discuss dirt than this crack-open-a chest prying she was revving toward.
“Valentine’s Day?” Kiernan snorted. “Mikah avoids holiday dates.” He opened the minibar. “Zero commitment takes the drama down to a two.”
Thanks for that, buddy. He would cover this himself with Piper, later. Mikah changed the subject. “Are you coming to the game this week?”
