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Or maybe it was because Rafferty was in attendance in the small crowd, and she had to avoid him because she couldn’t talk to him with people around. And she wasn’t ready to talk to him anyway.
Since Mandy and Hue weren’t having a wedding dance, the festivities would be over after the reception. Looking at the wall clock, she gave herself an hour before she would leave. She could make an hour.
Turning to go sit by her sisters, her way was blocked by a hard body. “Excuse me.”
“Mia, we have to talk,” Rafferty said in the same husky voice that made her knees weak.
“No, we don’t.” She looked around. Did anyone notice?
“Mia, I know you know I’m leaving.” He pulled her closer to him.
“I heard that. Good luck.” She pushed away from him, but he grabbed on to her.
“I want you to come with me,” he said into her ear.
Trying to push him away, she gasped, “What?”
Holding fast, he repeated, “I want you to come with me. Let’s try being married away from here.”
“I can’t. I have the restaurant, my apartment. I have things here.” She shook her head in defeat.
“I’m not saying you have to leave tonight,” he assured her.
“People are watching.” Looking away from him, she saw eyes were on her. Too many eyes. They were causing a scene.
“I don’t care. Let the town see us; I want them to see us,” he said, louder than before.
With everything in her, she pushed him away. People were watching. Her family was watching. Didn’t he understand? He was leaving her behind, and her only saving grace was that nobody knew about it. If she stayed in his arms, everyone would know.
Turning from him, she almost ran into Ruth on the way to the door. The woman was standing in her way on the stairs, her arms crossed, two steps above her. “You told Mandy?”
Mia looked up at her, taking another step so they were more even. “What?”
“Mandy’s hinting about Vegas. What did you tell her?” Ruth stated.
Shrugging, Mia admitted that she had broken her promise. “The truth. I’m sorry. I can’t keep everyone’s secrets anymore.”
“This means we can no longer be friends,” Ruth stated as Mia stepped up to the same step she was on.
Mia looked her former friend up and down in surprise. “We haven’t been friends for a while, Ruth. You of all people should know that. You can’t treat Rafferty like garbage and expect me to remain your friend!”
Mia was done with Ruth and Rafferty and headed for the doors to leave. She needed to get away from everyone right now. She was going to lose control of her emotions, and she wasn’t doing that in public.
“Why, Mia? Why the loyalty to Rafferty? You don’t even like him,” Ruth demanded, following her up the stairs.
“Because, Ruth Kennedy, I love him. I have loved him for a long time. But now I can say it out loud.” She pushed out the doors of the church and into the sunshine.
“He’s not worth it, Mia. Rafferty is Rafferty. There’s no future with him.” Ruth was still following her as she spoke. As if Mia needed to be told something she already knew.
Stopping, she turned and looked at her former friend. “That may be so, Ruth, but for right now, I’m your secret brother’s secret wife. And I’m tired of keeping everyone’s secrets. From here on out, I’m not keeping any for anyone!”
Turning, she saw more eyes on her as she practically ran to her Jeep in the parking lot. Now she had told two people, or more. By tomorrow, the entire town will know everything. Speeding out of the parking lot, she saw the entire book club standing outside the door of the church. Who knows how many heard what she said, but right now, she didn’t care. She had to get out of there. Her secrets were coming out and she couldn’t seem to stop them.
CHAPTER33
Rafferty watchedthe red Jeep speed out of the parking lot away from him. Turning to Ruth, he yelled, “What did you say to her? Why can’t you just leave her alone?”
“What did she meansecret wife?” she yelled right back at him, not answering any of his questions.
