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She sighed. “Probably. He’s not exactly pleasant in the best of circumstances.” She stroked a hand over my hair. “I’m sorry that I reacted the way I did initially. I’m sorry that I made this about how I felt rather than about how you felt.” She made a face. “I totally pulled a Melinda.”
I felt my smile widen. “It’s all right. You’re forgiven,” I said, putting the lid on the box.
“Anyway … there’s no way someone can’t love you, Addie, so I don’t see why feelings won’t develop in the case of you and Dax.”
I wasn’t so confident of that, but I quipped, “What’s not to love?”
“I know!” Vienna chuckled. “If Dax doesn’t at the very least grow to care for you, there has to be something wrong with him.”
I snickered and carefully put the box on the coffee table. “If he doesn’t, well, at least I know I can trust him. That’s not something I take for granted. Not after the past relationships I’ve had.”
She angled her body toward me. “As someone who walked into a marriage with a man they weren’t first dating, I’m going to give you some advice that will hopefully help.”
All ears, I cocked my head.
“Regular couples can read each other well; they each know the other’s patterns, hot buttons, triggers, thought processes, etc. You two don’t. It’s going to be vital that you’re straight with each other. Don’t make assumptions—that’s how misunderstandings form, and suddenly you two won’t be on the same page anymore.”
“We promised we’d be honest,” I assured her. “He’ll work with me, not against me.”
Vienna nodded in satisfaction. “Good. You might not be a coupleas such, but you’ll be a team. Stand together. Back each other. Be willing to hear the other’s side to a story—there arealwaysstories with people as high-profile as Dax. I know that from my relationship with your dad.”
Even today, articles were printed that featured rumors of Dane’s alleged “infidelity.” Anyone who knew him would know he would never disrespect himself or my mother that way even if it weren’t for the fact that he had eyes for no one but her.
She dug her teeth into her lower lip. “I want to say one last thing. If you find yourself unhappy in this marriage, if you later feel that you need a way out, it won’t make you a failure.”
“I wouldn’t think it did,” I denied.
She rolled her eyes. “Apparently you’ve forgotten that I know you.” She gently poked my shoulder. “You don’t like to give up on anything; it makes you feel like you’ve failed. It’s why you granted the guys in your pastwaymore chances than they deserved. Don’t doom yourself to a cold marriage out of that kind of stubbornness.”
Knowing I was in fact guilty of what she accused, I promised, “I won’t.”
She flashed me a winning smile and opened her arms. “Good. Come here.”
I hugged her tight, leaning into her.
She patted my back. “Your dad will come round. He’s already gone from planning to shoot Dax to merely imagining it.”
Drawing back, I said, “That’s progress.”
“I think so.”
The sound of the front door opening made us both turn slightly. Moments later, Alicia entered the room, carrying takeout bags. I was guessing she’d noticed our mother’s car parked at the curb, because the vision of Vienna on the sofa came as no surprise to her.
“Hey, Mom.” A hint of unease flickered in her eyes. “Whatcha doing here?” It was a casually spoken question, but I heard the worry there.
“I haven’t come to pester Addie to call off the wedding, if that’s what you’re thinking.” Vienna gestured at the box on the coffee table. “I brought a gift for her.”
Alicia grinned. “Ooh, let’s see.”
I retrieved the box and gently pulled off the lid. “Grams gave it to Mom for her wedding reception, and now she’s giving it to me. It’s to clip on my bouquet.”
Delight lit Alicia’s eyes. “That’s so precious.” Her gaze cut to our mother. “What did you bring me?”
Vienna’s brow furrowed. “Nothing.You’renot getting married tomorrow.”
“I don’t feel like that needs to be relevant, but fine.” Alicia lifted her bags. “There’s plenty of food here. Want to eat with us?”
“Yeah, go on. I can’t stay long, though. I need to have an early night so I’m fresh for tomorrow.” Vienna looked at me. “So do you.”
