AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Well, you can’t get much better than her.”
“I’m not in love with her because of her status, Dad.”
“That’s not what I mean. She’s been precocious and lovely since the day she was born. And kind, to boot.” He’s quiet. Then, “I wish you every happiness, son.”
“Me too.” Mum’s turned sappy now. “And who knows? If you really love America, maybe we’ll start over there too. A change of scenery might be nice, eh, Martin?”
“Indeed.”
Okay, this is much more than I expected. So much more. Just like that, all the pent-up everything I’m feeling releases.
“Thanks, guys. I love you.”
“Love you too, dear. Now go get your woman.”
“Yes, ma’am.” I don’t waste any time hanging up the mobile, stuffing it back into my pocket and rushing back toward the group.
Squinting against the lights, looking for pink against the greens and blues and purples.
Then I hear her laugh. It’s golden and it’s beautiful and it’s everything I’ve ever wanted.
And I’m going after it with everything I’ve got.
twenty-seven
CHLOE
The wedding reception is still going strong, but my own reserves are dangerously low. I’m not sure how much longer I can last, dancing and laughing and pretending like my feet don’t ache and my heart isn’t completely shattered.
But at least my friends have me. I think something in them sensed my melancholy and knew what I really needed was some breathing space.
That, and a delicious grilled cheese sandwich, which Marilee is grabbing me from her brother’s food truck while we wait several yards away.
“I still can’t believe you’re moving here.” Beside me, Lucy does a little shimmy in her red dress. Her eye makeup, which I suspect she stole from her little cousin Scarlett, glitters under the starlight.
“It’s magical.” Kelsey squeezes my arm. Her brown hair is curled in ringlets around her shoulders. “But are you sure you want to give up on the love you and Frederick have?”
“Yeah,” April chimes in. “Because if a man ever looked at me the way he looks at you … hi.” She shakes her hand like it’s on fire.
“No way.” Elisse shuts it down by grabbing April’s hand. “No man should dictate what Chloe does or where she moves.”
I sigh. “He didn’t. He let me go.”
“And isn’t that the most romantic thing he could have done?” April glares at Elisse and yanks her hand from her grasp. Then she turns to me. “I still have hope that things will end well for you guys. Just have some hope.”
“This isn’t one of your romance novels, April,” Elisse says. “There aren’t always happy endings.”
“Guys, be quiet. Can’t you see she’s upset?” Lucy gestures toward me.
Ugh, I don’t want to be the downer, the one everyone is worried about. I force a smile. “I love each of you and your perspectives. I’m going to be okay no matter what happens with Frederick because I’ve got you all rooting for me.”
“Aw, group hug!”
That would be Lucy, who crams us all together—some of us giggling, others groaning—until Marilee calls to us. “Hey, no fair! Don’t leave me out.”
I reach out an arm and pull her in, careful not to upend the plate of sandwiches she’s holding. We all embrace for a few long moments before letting go. Marilee hands out the sandwiches but Lucy just looks at the one she’s offered like it has two heads.
But I have no such aversion and suddenly find myself starving.
