Page 7 of Bullied Pregnant Mate

“Yes,” Bae confirms, laughing. “Come on. Let’s go meet your wife-to-be.”

Chapter 3 - Alisa

A brief but deep silence falls. There is almost a sense of momentum to it, as if I’m plunging into a deep well, my old life and everything I knew swiftly receding as the dark unknown rushes up to claim me.

I’ll need a little time to get used to this, but I don’t mind meeting the groom tonight. I wonder how soon the wedding will be? Where will we have it? What kind of dress should I choose?

I can’t help smiling as these new thoughts begin to swirl through my head. It’s distracting me from my inner pain just like I hoped it would.

This could even be fun! Finally, I can forget about Jenks.

Lucy’s phone buzzes on the table. She picks it up, reading the text with a smile. “The boys are almost here,” she says. “They want to get everything set up for tomorrow so we won’t waste any time.”

“Tomorrow?” I echo, my voice a tiny squeak.

“Oh, yeah. Sorry, Alisa,” Amanda says. “We actually discussed this before you arrived. The match we’re making tonight has to happen tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?” I repeat, dumbstruck. At the moment, I’m not capable of any other words.

“Do you want to back out?” Nell asks. “There’s still time.”

I shake my head slowly, my throat so tight, I can barely breathe. I sure as hell can’t speak. Even though anxiety is racing through my veins so powerfully I’m practically trembling, I still want to do this. My feelings haven’t changed one bit.

“Wait… did you say they are on their way?” I croak, forcing the words out.

“Yeah,” Amanda answers. “Bae was out choosing the groom, and he said he’d text me when he was en route. I guess he found one.”

“Rightnow?” I say, almost shrieking. Luckily, my mouth is still dry as a brick, and the sound comes out as a low whisper.

“Are you okay, Alisa?” Amanda asks. “Nell’s right. You can totally change your mind.”

I shake my head. There are so many thoughts racing through my brain, I can’t understand any of them, let alone speak.

This doesn’t change anything! I still need to find someone I can focus on so I forget about Jenks. Nothing has changed except the time frame.

“It was the tomorrow part that had me wavering,” Tara admits. “I just wasn’t sure. I’m glad it all worked out, because I didn’t want to rush into it.”

The other girls nod and murmur their agreement, clear relief in their expressions. It strengthens my resolve to see that I’ve saved them from making a hard decision, and when I hear the door swing open behind me, determination floods through my veins.

Let’s do this. I’m ready!

I swivel around in my seat to face the door, trying to bring a smile to my face. Bae walks in first, nodding hello to us with a wide, easy grin. Next comes Kyle.

The person behind him is still lost in the shadows outside.

I wonder who it is? Someone connected to Bae, probably. Aren’t all the top circle married already?

The light seems to shift as the next person moves into the doorway. I see dark, long hair. A slender, pale hand comes up to brush the unruly locks behind his ears.

I know that gesture…

No!

As he steps through the door, Jenks raises his head and sweeps his gaze around the room. His blue eyes are pale, deep, electric, like a summer sky lit with lightning. The delicate, angled features of his face leap out at me—sharp cheekbones, chiseled jaw, and surprisingly lush, curved lips.

The second he moves his hand away, the long, straight dark hair falls forward again. He lets it hang in his eyes for a second before brushing it back and frowning a little in frustration.

Why doesn’t he cut it? It’s been shoulder-length since high school, and he’s always shoving it out of his face!

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