Page 104 of Paper Hearts

Arya comes rushing out, crying, and holding her dress in her hands. “Hads, get your ass in here!”

I nod, switch Eddie to my hip and glance at Granny. She’s still sitting on the bench reading the book. Completely enthralled. “What are you doing? Why are you reading that?” I whisper to Granny.

Granny points to the book. “I don’t know, but I just got to a good part.”

Let’s hope she’s not to the part of the story where her grandson took my virginity.

Sighing, I make my way over to Arya, Eddie still in my arms, and stare at Arya. “What’s wrong?”

“I can’t marry him,” she says, crying into my shoulder.

Well, shit.

42

WHEN HE NOTICED EDDIE

Arya wasn’t serious about not marrying Roman. She’s just… Arya. And freaking the fuck out over getting married and already knocked up. Her and Roman have been off and on for the past six years. It’s no wonder she’s nervous.

As my mom and Lana finally get Eddie in her dress despite her screaming, I hand Arya a bottle of water. “You need to calm down. I can only deal with two crazies today.”

“What if we get married and then we decide it’s not what we wanted?” she asks, pacing the den, her dress swishing dramatically with each step.

“Then you get divorced.” I hand her a tissue. “But you’re having a baby together.”

She takes the tissue and blows her nose. “Right.” She nods, sucking in heavy breath after breath.

“I have another problem.” Arya stops pacing and regards me. “I need you to walk down the aisle with Ender.”

“What? Why?”

“One of Roman’s groomsmen’s flight didn’t come in, so Ender stepped in.”

My eyes narrow. “You’re lying. Ender would never agree to that.”

Arya raises an eyebrow and lifts her dress in an aggravated motion. “Do you really think he has any room for negotiation today?”

Shrugging, I slouch against the couch. Same one Ender pinned me to when I woke up on the lawn with Carter. “I guess not. But I’m still not doing it.” I stand up, swaying a little. “He can walk by himself.”

Arya glares her eyes at me. “Oh yes you are, bitch. It’s part of your duties as the maid of honor.”

“Well, I didn’t ask to be your maid of honor,” I grumble, knowing I’m a shitty maid of honor, but can you blame me? “I shouldn’t have to do things I don’t want to.”

“Yes you should. That’s what best friends do.” Arya grunts and yanks me to a standing position, her hands on my shoulders. “If you don’t act like my friend, I’m going to go out there and tell him about her.” She points to Eddie who has taken all the flowers out of the basket and started tearing them up into pieces. Little brat.

My shoulders sag and I slump against her. “You wouldn’t do that to me.”

She pats my back. “No, I wouldn’t, but please walk with him.”

I stand up straight and push a deep breath through my lungs. “Fine, I’ll do it, but I’m not going to talk to him.”

A half-smile quirks her lips. “I don’t care if you don’t talk to him. Just walk down the aisle with him and then you can go back to hating him.”

“I wish I hated him.” I draw in a careful breath. “He saw her.”

She pats my head this time. “You can have the conversation after I get hitched, but please don’t ruin my wedding.”

“I won’t,” I promise, hoping I can keep it.

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