Page 62 of Stolen Vows

Beau hesitates before dipping his chin in a severe nod. “Alright. What do you need?”

Cora returns with Eloise’s sister, both carrying trays of desserts. The sweet, buttery scent of freshly baked pie wafts through the air.

“We have mini pies tonight,” Cora says, beaming. “Cherry, lingonberry and lime, apple and cheddar.”

“Wow,” Eloise mutters. “Those look delicious, Cora.”

Cora’s cheeks flush, and her grin grows wide. “Thanks. I hope you like it.”

I stand up, my chair scraping against the hardwood floor. I clear his throat twice and roll my shoulders back. “Before we get into pie, I need everyone’s attention for a moment.”

Mom dabs her mouth with her napkin, looking at me. “What’s going on, Graham?”

No time like the present.

“Is everyone free three months from now? Saturday?”

Beau glances at me, an eyebrow raised in question. I stare back at him, silently communicating thatthisis the favor.

Back me up, Beau.

Thank god, he catches on quickly. A slow grin spreads across his face. “We’re free. Aren’t we, Peach?” Beau says, leaning back in his chair.

“W-what?” Eloise cuts my brother a look before looking around the table.

I meet everyone’s confused stares, keeping my emotions locked down and my expression neutral. “Ma? Dad?”

Dad sets his pie selection on his plate. “Is this one of your non-surprise surprise parties again? Because I told you, son, you don’t need to do that for us. We’re happy to just spend time with our family.”

I shake my head. “No, it’s nothing like that. But I’d appreciate it if you could clear your schedule that day.”

“Sure thing, son. Whatever it is, if it’s important to you, then we’ll be there,” Dad reassures me.

I exhale and nod, rolling my shoulders back. I’m committed now. There’s no undoing it. “Raincheck on the pie, Cora. Looks delicious though.”

I push my chair in and round the table, dropping a kiss on Mom’s head. “Thanks for dinner, Ma. I gotta run.”

It’s routine, the same as every week. But this time, Mom lingers, her fingers brushing my wrist. Like she already knows something’s different. She probably knows something is off. Mother’s intuition and all that.

“Are you kidding me? You’re not going to even tell us what’s going on?” Cora asks, her brows arched toward her hairline.

Oh, right. I forgot about that part. I almost wish I was staying, just so I could witness their reaction. I only wish my youngest sister was here too.

For a split second, I think about staying. Just to see the reactions play out. To see who gets loud first, to watch Cora demand receipts, or Dad try to keep the peace. To see who actually believes me, and who thinks I’ve lost my mind.

But that would mean answering questions I don’t have answers to. And there’s still one more person who needs to hear this plan first.

Francesca.

I pause in the doorway. “I’m getting married.”

A beat of stunned silence follows his announcement. Then the room erupts into a flurry of questions.

22

FRANCESCA

Romeo’s nailsclick against the hardwood floors as he pads over to me, his tail swishing gently. I reach down to scratch behind his ears, my mind still churning with thoughts of Graham. The weight of my phone in my back pocket feels heavier than usual, like it’s a tether connecting me to him even when we’re apart.

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