She missed Declan the year they were separated, and they do love each other. But did it really have to be him of all people? Were there no other hot men she could’ve snagged?
All eyes stare at me. I have no answer. I’m thirty years old, and I want to call my mommy and have her help me, maybe even hold me a little. My parents were such great rocks for me, and I’m lost without them. I would appreciate some advice right about now from people who would want to help me navigate this new situation instead of just judging me for it and hoping I fumble.
My face must be burning. “What… what about Chi-chi?” That’s Dina’s daughter.
“Chi-chi suggested I ask you so I can have two maids of honor.”
“I thought you could only have one.”
“She will have as many as she wants,” Declan declares firmly.
“I’m honored. I am.” I bite my lip. I can’t be a maid of honor at a Crossbow wedding that will be photographed. The twins are celebrities around here. I can’t be in those photos. But how can I refuse and keep my friend? Maybe this is my way out. I refuse, Dina gets upset, and I’m free. This woman was there for me when I had nobody. She is still here for me, and I have nobody. Shame on me for even thinking of abandoning her now.
But how could I not?
My breaths are uneven. I focus on breathing normally to ward off the panic. They’ll know something is wrong.
“You are honored, but?” Declan prompts.
The last thing I want to do is offend Dina’s man, who executed seventy people in broad daylight. One of those people was the chief of police.
“But…um.” My brain is drawing blanks. I can’t even come up with a valid excuse.
Disappointment is evident on Dina’s face. This woman has helped me out so much. She’s looked out for me. “Dina, since the hospital incident, I have trouble sleeping, as you know. I have trouble with flashing lights, crowds, anything noisy and big likethat. At the wedding, there will be cameras, reporters, crowds of people, and me standing there next to you will trigger my panic attacks. I won’t make it. It will ruin your wedding. If I collapsed next to you, it would be terrible. I’m not bridesmaid material, but I want to be there for you when you pick out a dress and, um, flower arrangements, and…well, whatever else wedding planning requires.”
“We have actual wedding planners for that,” Declan says.
Connor pulls out his phone and snaps a picture of me. “There. You’ve entered the training for the main event.” He looks down at his screen, makes a face I can’t decipher, then slips the phone back into his pocket. “The answer is yes, even though she’ll hate every minute of it.”
“What?”
“What what?” Connor asks. “I answered for you. No is not an option.”
“Sure it is,” Dina protests.
Connor rolls his eyes. “Do you want her to be at your side or not? I just told you she will. Why are you arguing against it?”
We glare at him.
“We’re not going to force her into being my maid of honor. If she doesn’t want it, that’s her choice,” Dina says.
“Oh, Dina.” I take my friend’s hand. “It’s not that I don’t want to…”
Dina is hurt. Visibly hurt. She’s sensitive, and she considered me her best friend. We clicked so well and so fast, it was undeniable. She’s the sister I never had. Her eyes tear up.
Declan watches me, drumming his fingers on the kitchen bar. If glares could kill, his would.
Connor is trying to get my daughter to drink out of a glass. She’s making a mess of her clothes and loves every minute of it.
“I have PTSD,” I say. “From the…the event at the hospital. Just thinking about that many people at the wedding, theflashing cameras, the choppers flying above trying to take pictures, it makes me want to hide. Please try to understand.”
Dina looks up at Declan, who raises an eyebrow. “Yes?”
“Do you think we could accommodate her request?” she asks.
Declan nods. “Certainly. Con?”
“I’m on it.”