Page 1 of Love on the Run

Chapter 1

Anna

“Igot the goods!” Olivia held a can of soda over her head as she closed the door behind her.

Anna reached for the drink and popped the top. “You’re a lifesaver.” Her stomach had been rolling all morning. Too bad bubbly drinks weren’t an actual cure for wedding jitters.

Olivia brushed her hands down the sides of her navy dress. The torso was fitted, and the flowy skirt fanned out from the waist. It flattered Olivia’s figure perfectly. “Are you ready to get into the dress? I saw your mom on a warpath, so I sent her to the reception hall to handle a fake catering emergency.”

The mere thought of her mother sent Anna’s stomach into another riot. Her mom had been shouting and seething since the rehearsal dinner.

Anna set the soda on the vanity. “Let’s get it over with.”

“Don’t sound too excited to get into your wedding gown,” Olivia whispered.

She was right. Anna should be giddy to slip into the custom gown. It was gorgeous and everything she’d ever hoped to wear on her wedding day.

Except, the nerves were eating her on the inside. Getting married was one of the biggest decisions of her life. Less than an hour before the ceremony wasn’t the time to get cold feet.

She was marrying Dean Simmons. He was successful, handsome, wealthy, and socially connected—everything her husband was supposed to be.

Well, he was everything her mother said he was supposed to be. He claimed to be a Christian too, but he rarely went to church with her or prayed. They spent so much time apart, it was tough to find time to talk about anything. For the last few months, Anna and Dean had done little except argue and plan the wedding.

“I’m sorry,” Anna whispered. “I really am excited to wear it.”

It was half the truth, and Olivia knew it. The dress fit Anna perfectly. It was the groom that might not be the best fit.

Maybe it was Anna’s fault their relationship had been rocky lately. Maybe she was the problem like her mother believed. According to Catherine Harris, Anna should support her husband and care for himno matter what. It was the epitome of selfishness that Anna wanted Dean’s devotion and attention.

Olivia turned to Anna and rubbed a hand up and down her arm. “Are you sure about this?”

Anna gave her friend the standard “I’m okay” smile—the one she used to hide behind when she wanted everyone to think she was fine. “Of course.”

Olivia’s eyes narrowed. She knew the truth. Now, Anna was lying to her best friend.

Without arguing, Olivia reached for the dress. “Then let’s do this.”

Anna slipped off her robe and draped it over the vanity chair. Olivia carefully opened the top of the dress for Anna to step in.

As the dress rose around her, so did the invisible trap. It was easy to imagine one of those coil spring traps closing around her like a predator’s teeth. She sucked in deep breaths as if she could fight off the panic coming to claim her.

Good grief. This was her wedding day, not a prison. Thinking of being confined had her adrenaline rushing through her system in heavy pulses.

“Anna–”

“I can’t talk,” Anna whispered. “Let’s just do it.”

Olivia’s chin quivered, and Anna’s throat tightened. She had the best friend a woman could ever ask for, but no one could save her now.

“I love you,” Olivia said, blinking back tears. “I love you so much, and I’ll always be here for you.”

Anna nodded, unable to speak around the knot in her throat.

Staring at the wall as Olivia secured the buttons, Anna blocked out all the doubts and said a silent prayer.Lord, help me. Please, help me. I’m drowning. I don’t know if I can do this. Why do I feel this way?

There was a knock at the door, and Olivia’s hands stilled on the buttons. “Should I let them in?” she whispered.

“Yeah. It’s fine.”

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