Page 43 of Matched with Her Runaway Groom

Tiffany gives my body one more glance up and down and smiles. “Honestly, Rachelle. You’re gorgeous. I mean, sometimes your hair looks like you tumbled into a cave for days when you wake up, but you look healthy. Happy. But I wonder if you could be happier.”

“Nope. We’re going to ban Landon from any discussions for the rest of the trip, okay? I don’t need to believe he could really care about me and then have him leave again. I already have a history of that with him and my sister.”

“Your sister’s crazy. I can’t believe she ditched out on her wedding.” She wrinkles her nose.

“Hillary has always done what she wants. I guess I need to learn a thing or two from her.”

Tiffany’s eyebrows nearly disappear into her hairline at that. “Does this have something to do with the go-karts earlier today? You looked like you’d had something click after we got off, until Landon appeared.”

“Just another reason to avoid him. If I don’t look genuinely happy in his presence, it’s never going to work out between us.”

Tiffany leans back in her chair and closes her eyes for a moment. “That’s not what I meant, Rachelle. I think you’re nervous that it will end the same, and that’s not a bad thing.”

“Says the woman in a happy and committed relationship.”

With a sigh, Tiffany leans forward and places her hand atop mine. “I promise I’ll just hang back and I won’t mention him anymore, unless I actually see him. Deal?”

I nod, smiling at that. I’ve come this far to get over the guy. A few more days won’t break me.

At least I hope.

CHAPTER18

Landon

Our meeting ends at the fifty-two minute mark. Yes, I’ve been squirming like a student when a teacher keeps talking after the bell rings to go home. And I’ve marked every minute after forty-five as the longest four hundred and twenty seconds of my life.

Once we’re dismissed, I’m the first one out the door, heading for the area where the live entertainment is located.

“It’s about time you got here. What happened?” Dani asks, stepping closer to fix my collar. I must’ve been rubbing my neck too much to not scream out loud from being stuck longer than I wanted.

“I just escaped an instructional meeting not held by Roman, who I want to learn from most.” I point to the door with a large sign outside announcingThe Music Manplaying. It’s a fun one, but my brain is channeled into finding Rachelle first. “You think I’m going to sit for three hours at a musical?”

She nods and tugs me toward the door. “I think you need to find Rachelle and fast. I heard Savannah telling someone she’s on deck waiting for you to return from the meeting. So, at least it will be a hiding spot?”

I shake my head. “I can’t believe I have to hide from a woman on a cruise ship. I always thought I’d be with a woman I wanted to be here with.”

“Well, you kind of are, in a way, but it’s a tangled mess.” She pauses before continuing. “Are you sure you’re not ready to divulge why you broke up with Rachelle in the first place?”

“Musical sounds great. Why don’t we head in now so we can get a spot?”

“This isn’t Broadway, Landon. Obviously, we won’t be fighting for a spot in line.” We make it near the door and there are dozens of people milling about and what looks to be a longer line up against one wall.

“Are you sure about that?” I say. I point to the crowd and laugh.

She gives me a playful slap on the shoulder and says, “You do know I’ll listen when you’re ready to tell me, right?” Dani gives me the most somber expression I’ve seen from her in a while.

I nod, swallowing hard. “Thanks, sis. Soon.”

I just hope I’ll know how to tell Rachelle when the time comes.

CHAPTER19

Rachelle

“You should go do something,” Tiffany says, sitting on the bed. “I’m so sorry. I’ll sleep and hopefully be ready to go for tomorrow when we dock.”

I sigh, feeling guilty that I’m irritated with Tiffany. She’s always been so fun and full of life that she was the natural choice to take on this cruise. “I think I heard something about a doctor on board the ship. Do you want me to take you there?”

---