Page 154 of Counting On You

“I’ll never forgive him if he doesn’t.”

“Today’s your day. You don’t need him. You don’t need his blessing.” I smile with more cheerfulness than I feel. “No matter whether he turns up or not, Mom and I have it covered.”

She nods, falling silent again.

“The photographer will be here any minute.” I head over to the nightstand and retrieve her jewelry box. “Pearls or diamonds?”

“Pearls.” She turns to me, her voice excited. “Oh, I almost forgot. There’s someone here to see you.”

“Not now, Gracie.” I lift two sets of pearl earrings. “Which ones?”

“You won’t believe me when I tell you who it is. Aren’t you curious?”

I put the earrings back and release an exasperated sigh. “I swear you’re the most unfocused bride I’ve ever seen. Alright, I’ll bite so we can get back to this. Who is it?”

She grabs my hand and pulls me to the window overlooking the backyard. I scan the crowd below. The planner’s people are still busy setting up the place, but they’re almost done. The chairs have been set up. The tables in the tent have been decorated. Rose petals adorn the white rug leading to the altar. “If your fiancé is trying to hook me up with his drunk friend again, I swear I’m going to—”

I stop midsentence as I spy the tall figure.

Kade.

He’s hovering a head over everyone else; his gaze is fixed on the rows of empty chairs.

Even though his back’s turned to me, I pull the curtains shut before he notices me. “Who invited him?”

“I did.” Gracie’s voice drips excitement. “We got on so well, exchanged phone numbers and all. Aren’t you happy to see him?”

I stare at my sister, for once rendered speechless.

Happy? Of course, I’m happy to see him. But for all the wrong reasons.

“Why would you do that?”

“Someone had to. It’s been weeks.Weeks, Vicky.”

I place both pairs of earrings into her hand and start pacing the room. “I know that. But—”

“What’s holding you back from talking to him?”

“This.” I point at my seven-month pregnant belly. “If you didn’t notice, I’m pregnant.”

“It’s his kid,” Gracie says.

She was against my decision to keep Kade out of the picture right from the beginning, which is one of the reasons why I haven’t told her about his countless phone calls. Calls I’ve refused to answer. And even more text messages.

“That’s beside the point. The point is that I can’t see him now. I’m not ready to face him. I can’t talk about the future. You have to tell him to leave.” I look at her, my gaze imploring. It’s her wedding; I can’t cause a scene. I can’t ruin it by starting a fight. All I can do is appeal to her better judgment, even though we’ve had similar conversations countless times before.

“Vicky.” My sister’s voice grows quiet. Too quiet. “It’s his child. Don’t you think he has the right to know about him? To have the choice whether he wants to have him in his life?”

I turn away from her, avoiding her gaze. “He doesn’t want a family. He’s not that kind of man.”

“This might change his mind. Expecting a child is a life-altering experience. It changes people. Maybe this is what he needs to become the person he truly is at heart. And you’re keeping this amazing experience from him.”

“Now you’re being dramatic.” I narrow my eyes as I realize she’s about to embark on the guilt trip. “I know what you’re doing, but it’s not working. I can’t believe you went behind my back and invited him to your wedding even though I explicitly told you that I don’t want to see him. This is an act of betrayal.”

“The only act of betrayal is hiding yourself from the man you love.” She squeezes my hand hard, as though to get my attention. “Don’t you see? Sooner or later, you’ll have to face him. Why not now? He’s flown all the way here. We both know tickets aren’t cheap.”

I let out a laugh. “As if he can’t afford them. You realize he’s rich? Like super rich!”

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