Page 48 of The Runaway Bride's Vow

She’d mentioned to him about selling it and getting another house, but he’d been resistant to the idea. He’d said that he didn’t want to buy another place and have to fix it up. He’d already lived through renovations and once was enough. When he’d asked if she didn’t like the house, she’d told him the truth—she loved it. It was perfect. But she couldn’t help but think there was nothing of her in the place.

Her head hurt, and her stomach grew more nauseous. This wasn’t right. And yet she loved Logan with all of her heart. Plus, she loved sweet little Kaylie. She didn’t know it was possible to love so much.

And yet everything inside of her was telling her that going to the chapel was the wrong thing to do. Her heart and her mind were at war with each other.

She swallowed hard, trying to keep the nausea at bay. “You should head over to the chapel.”

Selena sent her a worried look. “What about you?”

“I won’t be long. I just want to do one more check of the apartment and make sure I didn’t forget anything.”

“But we already searched every closet and drawer.”

“I know. I guess I just want a moment to say goodbye to this place.”

“Oh.” Selena arched a brow. “Okay. But don’t take too long. You don’t want to be late for your own wedding.”

“I’ll be right behind you.”

Selena grabbed her purse from the kitchen counter. “I could wait in the parking lot for you.”

“Thanks. But I need someone at the chapel to make sure everything is running smoothly.”

“I’m sure Clara is on top of everything.”

“It’s a lot for her to handle on her own without an assistant.”

Selena nodded. “I understand. I’ll go give her a hand.” She moved to the door before turning back. “Is there anything you need before I go?”

Brooke did her best to smile and hoped it looked genuine. “You’ve already been a big help. I just have to drop my key with the building manager, and I’m out of here.”

“And on to your new life. I’m so happy for you. Okay, I’m going.”

After Selena was gone, Brooke let out an unsteady breath. She looked at the time on her fitness watch. She would be saying I do in less than two hours. Her heart began to pound. Her palms grew clammy. As the coffee sloshed back and forth in her stomach, she swallowed repeatedly.

She just needed to sit down. If she rested for a moment and gathered her thoughts, her nerves would calm down. She sat in the only chair in the apartment. The pain in her head intensified. She had to get it together. How was she supposed to get through the ceremony when she felt so miserable?

She leaned back in the chair. She closed her eyes, willing her head to quit throbbing and her stomach to stop churning. In the next moment, she ran to the bathroom where she lost the little bit that was in her stomach.

Afterward, she rinsed out her mouth before splashing cold water on her face. The coldness against her heated skin felt so good. She threw more water on her face. At last, she felt as though she could take a full breath.

When she lifted her head and stared into the mirror, she realized her grave error. Her foundation dripped from her chin. Her eyeliner smeared, and she now had racoon eyes. She groaned. She’d just ruined her makeup—the makeup she’d had professionally applied for the wedding. How was she supposed to fix this? She didn’t even know where to find her makeup. It was in one of the boxes stashed in her car.

Tears welled up in her eyes before rolling onto her cheeks. What did it matter now? Her makeup was ruined. She was a mess. How was she to get married like this?

A little voice in the back of her mind said she could fix this. She swiped at the tears as she rushed to the door. On the way, she grabbed her purse from the kitchen counter.

It wasn’t too late. She could still be the wife that Logan wanted—that he deserved. As the thought rolled around in her mind, she realized it wasn’t the first time she’d had that thought. She’d also had it before she’d almost married Josh. She stopped walking as the gravity of the moment struck her.

When she’d left Iowa, she’d promised herself that she wouldn’t change herself to please someone else. She’d promised to be true to herself. It was the only way a relationship would work in the long haul.

Was that what she was doing by marrying Logan today? He hadn’t asked her to change her job or switch up her wardrobe.

Still, she hadn’t had any say in where they’d live, if she could keep her furniture, or even when their wedding would be. She did speak up but there were always reasons that her suggestion wouldn’t work. Instead of standing her ground, she’d gone along with it…because she wanted Logan to be happy.

Somewhere along the way, she’d become unhappy. And she hadn’t realized how unhappy until this moment.

She was going through the motions and putting on the smile of a happy bride. But deep inside, she wasn’t happy. This was not how she wanted her wedding to be, but she knew more than anyone that no wedding and no marriage was ever perfect. Compromises had to be made.

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