Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 87181 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87181 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 436(@200wpm)___ 349(@250wpm)___ 291(@300wpm)
“But he is. He’s the only one for me.”
“Yes, I see that. Okay. Let’s get you married.” She walked me to the hallway and stood in front of the door leading me to my parents waiting.
Before Cassie pushed the door open, she paused and glanced my way. “Are you sure, Holly?” she questioned one last time.
This time it seemed serious.
The nerves it sent through my system rocked me a little bit.
“Cassie, it’s time for me to say I do.”
“Yes. Of course.” She opened the door, allowing me to walk through.
Mom cried as she hugged me while Dad stayed quiet but smiled. My younger brother, Alec, commented that I looked better than my normally sloppy appearance—which was the highest form of a compliment from a brother.
Alec and I didn’t look much alike at all. He resembled our father. Tall, slender, and a buzzed head. While I was a curvy girl, Alec was a stick. In elementary school they used to call him Slim Jim, which he hated. I envied how he could eat anything and not put on weight. I could simply think about a cookie and gain two pounds.
After Alec’s semi-nice compliment, he and Mom took their seats.
Dad walked me down the aisle, where Daniel was waiting for me. Daniel looked nervous. That wasn’t shocking. Any time Daniel had to stand in front of a crowd, he broke out into hives. Public speaking was his ultimate fear, so for him to recite vows in front of all the townspeople probably had his mind in a tailspin.
The moment Dad gave me away, my nerves kicked in. I turned to hand my bouquet to Cassie, who took them with a small smile.
She looked nervous, too, which was odd. Cassie excelled at being in front of crowds. We’d had dozens of book signings where her extroverted self shone brightly. Was she sweating? Even with all the people, the room wasn’t warm.
Pastor Thomas began the wedding ceremony, and I felt my own set of nerves settle into my stomach as he said, “If anyone objects to this union, please speak now or forever hold your peace.”
That was such an odd line to have during a wedding ceremony. I wanted to take it out, but it was part of the tradition. I couldn’t argue against traditions, even if they were idiotic ones. Could you imagine if someone truly stood and said the words—
“I object!”
I blinked once.
Then twice.
Then three times.
I stared at Daniel.
The words flew out of his mouth.
My eyebrows squished together as I tilted my head. “What?”
“I object,” he repeated, shaking his head nonstop. “I object, I object, I object, I—”
Pastor Thomas leaned in toward Daniel. “I think everyone heard you the first time, son.”
Daniel smoothed his hands over his suit. “Right. Of course. Sorry.” He winced as he looked at me. “I’m so sorry, Holly.”
“What are you doing?” Cassie asked from beside me as she held my bouquet. “Don’t you dare do this, Daniel.” She shook her head rapidly with wide eyes packed with panic.
“Don’t do what?” I questioned. “He’s not serious. It’s a joke. A bad joke, but a joke nonetheless.” I glanced back to Daniel. “Right? You are not serious. Right?”
He pinched the bridge of his nose. “Holly…I’m sorry…I—”
“What are you doing?” I snapped at him, repeating Cassie’s words. I whipped back to Cassie. “What is he doing?”
Her eyes were glassy. The shock in her stare transitioned to remorse. “He’s leaving you.”
I chuckled, shaking my head in disbelief. “No, he’s not.”
“I am,” Daniel stated, this time with a burst of confidence. He had a little too much confidence for a man who was doing what he’d been doing. Be humbler about it, you freaking jerk!
“You are?” I gasped, along with everyone else in the church. A lot of gasping had happened since the ‘I object’ fun confession. It would’ve sounded beautiful if it wasn’t during the most soul-crushing moment of my life. “Oh, my goodness, you’re leaving me!”
“I’m in love with you,” he said, staring my way.
I blinked rapidly, confused by his confession. In love with me? I’d never been more baffled in my life. How could he be telling me he was in love with me while simultaneously leaving on our wedding day?
I was perplexed until I realized he wasn’t looking at me. He was looking at Cassie.
My Cassie.
My co-author.
My very, very best friend.
My best friend who was holding my wedding bouquet, standing at my wedding altar, locking eyes with Daniel.
My Daniel.
My fiancé.
My very, very best friend.
I was going to be sick.
“Cassie,” I barked at her as she stood still as ever before. Her mouth slightly parted as tears rolled down her cheeks. I waved my hand in front of her face, trying to snap her out of the trance she’d fallen into. I snapped my fingers. “Cassie! What’s going on?”
“I love you, too,” she said back to Daniel as if I didn’t exist.