AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I need to go.”
“Wait!” Mom hauls on my arm.
I almost trip and land on my face.
She tightens her hold and steadies me. “You can’t leave in that dress.”
Right. We’
re at a bridal boutique. The most expensive one in the city. Dad’s footing the bill so Mom basically dragged me here.
I’m on to her. She’s trying to get back at him by shooting arrows at his wallet.
Not that I care anymore.
Being the weapon they use to stab each other has been my role since I was eight. I have bigger things to worry about right now.
I glance around and notice the beautiful, curvy assistant staring at me suspiciously.
My fingers dig into the princess skirt.
I need to stay calm. Keep my head up. Sort out the truth from the lies.
This is a very simple problem with an easy solution.
Thad and I just need to talk. Face to face. He can explain what the hell is going on and I’ll listen in an open, calm manner—just like our pre-marriage counselor suggested in all those sessions his mother insisted we take.
Not that I have anything against counseling.
Or Thad’s mother.
But Lucy was never a fan of the way Thad and I met.
She was never a fan of mine.
Wait. He’s not…
This isn’t because of his mother, is it?
I straighten my shoulders. Don my poker face. I am not unravelling my complicated relationship in front of my mother and all these snobby bridal assistants. “I just got a text from Thad.”
“Is he in trouble?”
“No.” But he’s about to be.
“Honey, whatever it is, tell him to wait until we’re done here. We need to pick out a dress. Your wedding’s in less than two months and you still haven't decided.”
“I’m taking my time.”
“You’re dragging your foot, Asia. We’ve been to a hundred boutiques. I knew you were picky, but this is—”
“Mom, I can’t just jump into a store and pick a dress.” My voice seeps with unnecessary frustration. I’m lashing out at her. I know that, but I can’t stop. “I have a list, okay? And unless that dress hits everything on my list, I’m not even looking at it.”
Mom grabs my shoulders. “Asia, some things can’t be measured by lists. Some things you just know.”
Like you just ‘knew’ that you belonged with Dad? Is what I want to say.
But I don’t.
