Page 74 of Faking the Pass
Presley had her black hair and infectious smile, though his gorgeous light hazel eyes had clearly come directly from his dad. His brothers all had the same magical eye color as well as their dad’s blond hair.
Mrs. Lowe’s eyes were a light blue, and they were sparkling with emotion.
“I worried Presley would never let himself slow down enough for love to catch up to him,” she confided. “He’s always been so driven, even as a little boy. Even after all he’s achieved, he still has a hard time relaxing or even allowing himself to do anything just for fun.”
She lifted the napkin from her lap and dabbed at her eyes. “It’s wonderful to see him like this. I’m so happy Presley’s found a woman worthy of him.”
A sharp pang of guilt smacked me in the ribs. I had no idea what to say, so I just squeezed Mrs. Lowe’s hand and blinked back the tears that were desperately trying to flow from my own eyes.
“My mother would have really loved this day. You remind me so much of her,” I said, surprising myself.
Her expression melted and she wrapped her arms around me. “She is here with us today, sweetheart. Don’t you doubt it. I know she’s proud of you.”
When she pulled back, Debbie patted my hand. “And from this day forward, Iamyour mom.”
My heart squeezed so tightly I thought I might pass out.
It was so wonderful—and so terrible—to hear something like that, to be so thoroughly embraced by the kind of family I’d always dreamed of having… and to know it was all a lie.
“Thank you for everything you did to make today special,” I said to change the subject. “You and Jessica must have knocked yourselves out to pull all this together in just a few days.”
“Oh I would have loved to help, believe me,” Mrs. Lowe said.
She shot a mock threatening glare toward Presley, who’d moved to the end of the table where he was talking animatedly with his brothers.
“But mysoninsisted on handling it allhimself. Which is how we knew you were the one—in spite of the rather short engagement.”
This was so bad.
It was going to break her heart when Presley and I announced our separation a few months from now.
“I think maybe he just likes things the way he likes them,” I suggested. I’d seen it enough with this strict diet and fitness regimen.
“Oh no. He wanted to make sure everything was the wayyou’dlike it,” Debbie said. “He spent a lot of time on the phone with your friend Danielle, trying to get everything just right.”
He had? My head whipped around to locate my bestie.
She was deep in conversation with Jessica at the moment, but she and I would be having aconversationlater.
Why had she not told me this herself?
And why was my belly flipping over and over again, like Simone Biles on the Olympic floor mat?
I didn’t understand why a man who was so concerned with staying on the perfect training and recovery schedule that hedidn’t want the “distraction” of a real girlfriend would have gone to so much trouble to plan this day.
He mustreallyhave wanted it to look convincing to all those groupies he was trying to repel.
I would have to keep reminding myself—as many times as necessary—not to let myself become convinced as well.
Chapter 19
Frosted Cardboard
Rosie
After the main course was finished, the dessert trays were presented.
There was, of course, a wedding cake. And it was spectacular.
