Page 26 of Choosing a Forever
That didn’t go as I expected, but it’s okay. There’s still a chance she’ll say yes.
Gosh, I hope she says yes.
Chapter 9
Mackenzie
14 years old…
“You guys have been going out formonthsMack, and all he’s done is hold your hand. Are you sure he’s not gay?” Tessa bites into her apple, and I scowl at her.
“He made a promise to not kiss anyone until his wedding day.” Do I wish he would break that for me? Yeah. But I know it’s important to him.
“That’s freaking weird!”
“I know.” I sigh. “But I’m not going to be the one who pushes. It would be mean. Besides, we’re going to get married. I just have to wait like… seven years. I can go seven years without kissing.” I wince, realizing how long that actually is.
This is going to be torture.
Tessa rolls her eyes. “You know Kyle likes you, right? You should be kissinghiminstead of waitingseven yearsfor Talmage.”
“I thoughtyouwanted to date Kyle?”
Tessa shrugs. “We’re too similar. Besides, he’s Austin’s cousin, and I’mnotdating my ex’s cousin.” She shudders like it’s the worst idea ever.
“I don’t know why you don’t like Talmage.”
Tessa’s face softens. “I don’t want you to get hurt again. After everything that went down with—”
“Please don’t bring him up,” I grumble. “He was a mistake, but Tal is different. He would never do anything to hurt me.”
She sighs. “I hope you’re right.” After a beat, she leans forward and whispers, “Did you hear about what happened with Amber?”
Lizzie barrels through the front door, arms laden with more takeout containers than necessary considering it’s only us tonight. Kinsley and Harper are at a sleepover party for one of the girls in the musical Harper’s in. I know they’re old enough to take care of themselves, but my stomach still swirls with anxiety every time I let them spend the night somewhere. I have Harper’s glucose monitoring app notifications set at an extra high volume so I can be alerted in case she needs me to come get her.
“GIRL, you’ll never believe who walked into the studio today!” Lizzie sets the bags on the counter and pulls out a pack of the fancy cream soda. She knows I don’tlike to drink when the girls are out in case there’s an emergency, so I appreciate her thoughtfulness.
“Who?” I help her unload the takeout containers, my kitchen filling with the scent of kung pao chicken and sesame noodles.
“Amber Clements!”
I gasp. “No!”
Lizzie nods rapidly. “I swear. I don’t know what she wanted because Alexi is the one who took her information, but I was flabbergasted. Pure, goody two-shoes Amber Clements walking into a tattoo shop? Now that’s some gossip.” Lizzie is a co-owner of a tattoo and piercing shop in Provo that’s woman and LGBTQ+ owned and operated.
There was a lot of controversy when Medusa Tattoos opened, but they’ve been rated the best in the state the last two years. They do a fundraiser every year for victims of domestic violence and rape, and they offer free coverups for scars caused by DV, self-harm, or rape, and for victims of human trafficking.
“Are you sure she didn’t just want another piercing or something? I know they changed the rules recently, and Mormons can have multiple piercings again.”
“I wish they’d just stay consistent.” Lizzie scoffs. “But no, her request was for a custom tattoo. I think I heard somewhere fine-line tattoos are okay now, too, but I don’t know. People change. I mean, look at us.” She waves a hand between us.
I chuckle. Yeah, we’ve changed a lot since high school. Lizzie didn’t grow up Mormon, but all of her friends were Mormon. We say we’re twins because we both have green eyes and a similar body type as well as birthdaystwo days apart. Now we have similar body typesandbodies covered in tattoos and piercings.
While my hair is back to my natural auburn and down past my shoulders, Lizzie’s is chopped into a bob and dyed pink.
Lizzie hasn’t left my side since we bonded in high school. She’s more like a sister than my actual sisters—only because they’re so much younger. I literally owe this feisty woman my life.
“Yeah, people change,” I say, my mind immediately going to Tal.
