Page 49 of Runaway Bride's Guide to Love

“I appreciate that.”

“I’m just going to give you a warning.”

“I figured you were.”

I hear Maeve tsk through the phone. “You’ve been with Duncan for a long time. And before that, you never had a seriousboyfriend. This is likely a rebound, and you need to know how to handle that.”

“This isn’t a rebound,” I defend. “Emme—we’re just friends.”

I flinch when I almost say Emmett’s name. Luckily Maeve didn’t catch it. “You say you’re just friends. But it only takes one night for a rebound. And you love hard, Stella. You fall fast, and that’s not how rebounds work.“

“I know how rebounds work.”

“I love you, Stella, but you don’t. You’ve never had one. They aren’t meant to catch feelings. They’re meant to be quick and fun and to help you bounce back. I’m just saying if you do, please keep that in mind.”

“I will,” I say. “Plus, even if this was something like that, which it’s not, I’m not in any place for a relationship. I’m going to need months to get over this, and probably a lot of therapy. The last thing on the to-do list is to catch feelings.”

“I’m glad to hear that.” Maeve stops, and I have a feeling she wants to say something, but I’m not sure what else.

“Maeve?”

She lets out a big breath. “There’s another reason I called. It wasn’t just to catch up.”

“Oh.” I feel my stomach drop to my feet. “What is it?”

I put down the bowl of ice cream on the table. I have a feeling this is a smart, preemptive move.

“Duncan came to the house today.”

“He did what?”

“Yup. We were all over for Sunday brunch, which was rudely interrupted by your ex-fiancé banging on the front door.”

“The nerve,” I say. “He must have had ‘talk to the Banks family’ on his to-do list today because he decided to call me as well.”

“Really? What time?”

“I don’t know, maybe around noon?”

“Interesting. Because he arrived around one, demanding to speak with you. Dad answered the door and said you weren’there. I know this because I watched everything from the hallway. I wasn’t about to miss that show.”

“Of course not. Tell me everything.”

“Well, after Simon stepped in and said you weren’t here, Duncan demanded to come in and check. I thought Dad was going to punch him.”

Now I’m laughing for real. The thought of William Banks, the calmest man on the planet, punching anyone is laughable. Though Dad still hits the gym. He could take him.

“When Dad blocked his entrance, Duncan started throwing a hissy fit. His last words were that the only reason he was coming by was to deliver papers to Dad on his intention of suing you.”

Did I hear her right? Suing me?

“For what?” I yell.

“Right? According to the filing, it’s for the emotional damage you caused with running out. And to recoup funds that he paid for the wedding he’s unable to get back.”

“Emotional damage? He was the one getting flogged! I’m scarred for life with that image on my head. And does he not remember the fact that hestolefrom me? From us!”

My breathing is heavy because I’m about to blow. Who does he think he is? I know I joked that I’d sue. But now…well,nowI’ll sue for everything. Dad might be retired, but I know he misses practicing. And I’m a woman scorned. It’s a recipe for lawsuit heaven.

---