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Present day…
One by one, almost every car belonging to my family members pulls into the parking lot of SunBay Inn, but I’m still being hugged by Midge.
“Welcome to the family,” she mumbles into my breasts. She steps back after an uncomfortable minute. “When Noah told me, it made me so happy.”
I smile down at her. “I’m glad.”
“And then you told no one in your own family?” Ethel says with raised gray eyebrows. “How could you not tell us?”
“That’s exactly my question.” My mom puts her hand on her hip, staring at me as though knives are about to be thrown from her eyes. She holds up the wedding invitation in indignation. “How does a mother have to find out this way?”
“They weren’t supposed to go out yet. Noah and I were going to stop by.”
The truth is, I’ve been dragging my feet for two weeks. Maybe it’s good that the printer messed up and sent them out early. My family is going to see right through this charade Noah and I have going on. Who would ever believe that I would marry someone on a whim?
“I’m just going to say it.” Posey pushes her way through the group, her very pregnant belly leading the way. “Way to go, sis.” She wraps me in a hug and sways me back and forth. “He’s gorgeous, you’re beautiful, and the two of you are going to look awesome together.” She draws back. “He does have a personality, right?”
“Of course he does,” Midge answers before me, looking offended the question was even asked.
“Who am I to judge? I married a complete stranger in Vegas.” Nikki comes over and hugs me. “Congratulations, but you’ve put us in a big pickle to get everything planned out. And I’m going to be nice and not mention that I told you years ago you could not marry him.”
I roll my eyes playfully. “Thanks, guys,” I say, truly thankful for my sisters.
“Years ago?” my mom asks, looking between us.
Chevelle joins the four of us, hugging me too. “I never saw it in you, but I totally love this wild side of you. I think we can all agree it sounds like something I’d do.”
“We all know you’re waiting on Cam,” Posey says.
Everyone quiets.
“I do not like Cam.” Chevelle looks disgusted.
“That’s not how it seemed in Hawaii,” Nikki says with a raised eyebrow.
Chevelle shakes her head and rolls her eyes.
“Have you told your father?” My mom’s question is quiet.
I frown. “I would never tell him before you.”
She nods, but the fact she asked reconfirms why I’m doing this for Noah. That tug and pull between people you love. Although I hate the type of person my father is, I still love him because he’s my dad. I don’t think the love a parent has for a child goes away because they didn’t turn out the way you thought they would. Same goes the opposite way.
“Where is this mystery…” My mom reads the invitation. “Noah Winters?”
“He’s out taking pictures somewhere,” I answer because we don’t really tell each other everything we’re doing day to day. In fact, most of the time, we’re separate from one another. Now that both families know, we’ll have to change that.
“Pictures?” my mom asks. “Mandi?”
The guilt for keeping so much from her feels like acid on my skin. She’s never even met the man I said I would marry. This whole thing was easier in theory than reality.
I raise my hands. “I’m sorry some of you didn’t know.”
“And others did?” Ethel glares at Midge.
“How about we plan a dinner so Noah can meet everyone at the same time?” I smile, trying to sell the idea.
“And we’ll invite the Winters as well,” my mom adds.
