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“Bless his soul.” Mom scurries to the door. “I’ll go see if I can concoct a bridal bouquet.”
Mattie stares at me for a beat when Mom is gone. “Oh, Bella,” she says again. “You look so beautiful.”
The uncertainty plaguing me carries on my voice. “Thank you.”
“Hey.” She searches my face. “This is what you want, right?”
“To escape? Yes. But to do this to Colin? I’m not sure that’s fair.”
“Colin is happy. He’s not an idiot. He knows what he’s signing up for.”
I bite my lip, chewing it for a couple of beats before admitting, “I don’t love him like that.”
“Love isn’t always instantaneous. In fact, most true loves aren’t. Love at first sight is often nothing but hormones. It’s just infatuation. Real love takes time to develop and to grow. I don’t know how things are between you and Colin, but I’ve known Colin since the day he was born. I know him well enough to be sure he’ll put the time and effort into your relationship that it deserves. Besides, this is what Dad would’ve wanted.”
Those are the words that sway me. No matter how my dad hurt me with his lies, his sinister business deals, and his secret life, I never stopped loving him. I never stopped missing him. I’d give anything to have him here today. To walk me down the aisle. Mattie is right. This is what he wanted. He told me so himself. It would’ve made him happy.
I square my shoulders. “You’re right. Let’s do this.”
“That’s my baby sister.” She uncaps my lipstick. “Let’s make you even prettier than you are.”
She applies the red lipstick and a little make-up and gives me the hand mirror when she’s finished. Except for the make-up, I look like every other day. Normal. My smile says I’m happy. Only, I’m not. I’m terrified, not only because I can’t relax until I say,I do, but also because I’m worried that we’re making a mistake.
Too late.
The door opens.
Ryan sticks his head around the doorframe. “We have to get a move on. We don’t want to risk being found.” His gaze rests appreciatively on me. “You look gorgeous, Bella.”
“Thanks,” I say, resisting the urge to wipe my clammy palms on the gown.
“Wait.” Mattie goes through her handbag. “Just give me a second to take her hair up.”
She finds a few pins that she uses to secure my hair in a messy bun. “There. What do you think?”
“Thank you,” I say, pulling her in for a quick hug.
We both laugh as her belly gets in the way.
She takes back the mirror. “You look perfect. Now go.”
“Come on.” Ryan offers me his arm. He’s wearing a smile, but tension emanates from him. “I’m afraid there’s no music.”
I return his smile. “That’s okay.”
Mattie kisses my cheek before slipping through the door, whispering on her way out, “Good luck, Bella.”
Ryan looks down at me. “Ready?”
I swallow and nod.
He pats my hand where it rests on the crook of his arm. “Let’s get you married.”
His attempt at humor doesn’t help to settle my nerves. It has nothing to with wedding day stress and everything with the man I’m running away from, but my escape is finally within grasp. Freedom waits at the end of the aisle, only a few steps away. I won’t be able to relax until the vicar declares us legally married.
Colin stands tall as Ryan walks me down the aisle. Guilt that his family isn’t here assaults me. Maybe we should have a small celebration when they return from their vacation.
We pass my mom, Mattie, and Jared, who are seated in the pew second from the front on the left. Doris, Brad, and Celeste sit in front of them. They’re all dressed up. Everyone made as much of an effort as they could on such short notice.
