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All my sisters are still asleep when I pour coffee into a to-go mug and head out to the bay. I need to clear my head before I start getting ready.
Ever since Noah told me about the money last night, I can’t stop thinking that we’re making a mistake. He should want me to sign a prenup or something. I’d never take a dime of that money, let alone all of it like Noah wants.
He’s been so kind and caring these past few weeks. Actually, the entire time I’ve known him. If I’m completely honest, I’ve fallen in love with him. That realization should bring me happiness. Instead, I just feel misery.
I sip my coffee and walk the path along the bay, passing some tourists and people from town. I didn’t think this would be so hard, but this pit in my stomach just won’t go away.
Since I promised Noah I’d marry him, I’m going to follow through. It feels as though I’m willingly signing myself up for heartbreak, but I probably should’ve known that was the case before.
My phone vibrates in my pocket, and when I pull it out, I see a text from Noah.
Noah: I miss you.
There’s a picture of the empty spot next to him in bed.
I smile at the phone and walk up the pathway back to my place.
You’d think I had been gone for hours the way the house is in a frenzy when I return.
“There you are! Where have you been? I was just about to call you.” Chevelle pulls me by my arm into my bedroom. “Posey needs to do everyone’s hair and makeup.”
I sit for Posey, and she curls my hair into long ringlets and does my makeup with a natural look like I requested. I couldn’t be happier that my sister is the one doing my bridal look. Since I decided to slide into my dress at the inn, I sit back and stare out the window while the rest of my sisters get ready. Posey is the last one finished since she has to do her own hair and makeup.
“I can’t believe you’re getting married,” Posey says while she puts on mascara.
“Me either,” I confess.
“And Chevelle, who is this Derek guy? Could you be next?” Nikki’s eyebrows rise.
Chevelle finishes her lip gloss and shrugs. “I don’t know. He can be kind of a dick. We got into it the other night. He apologized after and said he’s just stressed from work, but it didn’t sit well with me. He’ll be at the wedding though, so you can all meet him.”
I keep my mouth shut since I don’t really care for him.
“The bride is way too quiet.” Nikki looks at me. “What’s up?”
“Nothing. Just nervous about saying my vows in front of everyone.” What am I going to say? I’m marrying a man who doesn’t love me? A man who I’m in love with, but that only makes things harder? I’m so confused.
I take a deep breath and try to settle my stomach.
“That’s why you should’ve just run away,” Posey says. “I’m thinking about a courthouse wedding now.”
“Really?” Chevelle asks.
She shrugs. “We already have a kid. And I don’t know… Gavin wants it, like, now. Says he’s the mayor and blah, blah, blah.”
We all laugh.
“All I know is you should do what you want,” Nikki says, and all three of them look at me.
“What?” I ask.
They all shrug.
“You wanted a small wedding and Mom got you to agree to make it bigger,” Posey says.
“Oh whatever, you practically murdered Gavin just so Mom could win the mayoral race and be happy. We all want Mom to be happy.”
Nikki sits down closer to me. “You’re happy, right? With Noah?”
