Page 9 of Needing Happily Ever After

Katie shook her head. “No way. I put my foot down with a bridal shower.” When her mom’s face dropped, she added quickly, “Mom, I mean it. Please. Really simple.” It would be way easier to break the news that none of it had been real if people didn’t make a big deal of it. Katie pushed away another flicker of guilt and picked up the rest of the muffin, cramming it in her mouth.

“You know,” Debbie said. “I really do think you and Damon are a great match. He’s just always kind of gotten you, ya know?”

Katie nodded with her mouth full. It was true. No one understood Katie like Damon did.

“Not like Jeremy,” she continued. “I know you’ve liked spending time with him over the years, but I never was really convinced that the two of you were a match. You know what I mean?”

Katie did know what she meant. Very much. But she couldn’t have answered if she’d wanted to because she was far too busy choking on the muffin that had suddenly become very dry in her throat.

Jeremy. Shit.

She’d forgotten all about him. And sure, it’s not as though they were serious or anything. At least, not serious serious. After dating through most of high school, they’d decided to keep things casual.

As casual as you could be in a small town.

It wasn’t anything serious. They both knew that.

But still.

Shit.

It felt good to breathe in the fresh mountain air as his feet hit the pavement beneath him. Damon moved quickly, pushing himself faster and farther as he picked up momentum. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d gone for a good run in Glacier Falls. Maybe never.

He hadn’t really picked up running as a hobby until college and then it was only out of necessity, to get him away from his computer screen for a few hours a day. A situation that had only gotten worse when he’d dropped out to develop his microchip designs.

But those days were behind him, and it had never felt better to stretch his legs and push his body further.

He cruised easily down the side streets before hopping onto the gravel path that wound its way through town and into the forest on the other side of the river for the best view of the falls before working its way back into town and onto Main Street. It was a beginner trail and often full of young families, but it was the best he could do with the time he had. Now that it looked like he’d be staying in Glacier Falls, he’d make a point to find some more challenging routes for some real trail running.

Just as it always did, Damon’s mind cleared and the weight that had settled on his shoulders vanished completely as he made his way back down to Main Street. He was just slowing his pace to a walk when he heard his name called out.

“Damon! Damon Banks!”

It was a familiar voice, but not a happy one. Damon came to a stop and turned around, just in time to see Jeremy Davis, his best buddy from school—next to Katie, of course—striding toward him. He grinned and lifted his hand to wave, but Jeremy didn’t look happy.

“Hey.” Damon extended his hand as Jeremy grew closer. “It’s great to see you, man. I’ve—”

“What the fuck, Damon?”

So much for pleasantries.

“Good to see you, too, Jeremy.” He didn’t even have to force the smile on his face, because it was good to see Jeremy. Despite the fact that his old friend looked as though he wanted to punch him in the face. A thought that had the potential to become a reality if he wasn’t careful. “It’s been how long now? Years, right?”

“You’re marrying her? Really?”

Ahh. Katie. Of course.

Not that he should be surprised, really. After all, they did date. But that had been years ago. Maybe Damon should be surprised. There was no way Jeremy could be holding a torch after all this time.

“I am,” he answered cautiously. “And I don’t suppose you’re here to offer me congratulations.”

“Fuck you, Damon.” Jeremy clenched his fists at his side, but Damon had already had enough.

“Seriously, Jeremy.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “You’re pissed? You dated in high school. What the hell is your problem?”

“We’ve dated since high school, hot shot.”

“It’s been—since high school?” It took a moment for Jeremy’s words to make sense. But as soon as they registered, they hit him in the gut. “Like a few years ago?” He tried to keep his voice light. This was not going to affect him.

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