Page 48 of Choosing a Forever
Lizzie turns back to me with a triumphant grin. “All right, Mack, spill it.”
I chew on my bottom lip. I’m glad Lizzie knows this is all fake. I don’t know how I’d explain my anxious mood otherwise.
“Am I making a huge mistake? I mean, Tal’s relationship with his parents is ruined, and he’s really not getting anything out of this. I’m already starting to get attached to him, and I feelsoselfish—”
Lizzie holds up a hand. “Nope. Gonna stop you right there. You’renotselfish. You’ve been working your ass off to make ends meet so Harper can have the medicine she needs tolive. It’s not selfish to accept the help offered to you.”
“But a whole-assmarriage?”
“Marriage is a piece of paper. It’s a social construct and an institution rooted in control. But I don’t think that’s what you’ll be entering into with Talmage because he doesn’t seem to have a controlling bone in his body.
“Besides, we live in a no-fault state. You can divorce him for whatever reason at any time, and no one will think less of you. Well, okay,that’snot true because society is still misogynistic, and Tal is a hot man with an honorable career, so peoplemightjudge you for not staying with him, but if it’s not making you happy then you have options. You said once you find a job with better benefits, you can divorce him, right?” I nod. “So you’re notstuck.Tal’s a big boy who can make his own decisions. He wants to marry you. So take the help and accept this is what he wants.”
“You’re right, you’re right. I need to believe he knows what he’s doing.” I take a deep breath—in for a count of four, out for six—and give Lizzie a small smirk. “It’s not like it’ll be a hardship for me to be with him. He’s pretty easy on the eyes.”
She barks out a laugh. “Talk about a glow-up. He’s a far cry from the boy who used to wear knee-high sockswith his cargo shorts and long sleeves under his dad’s button ups.”
A genuine smile spreads across my face when I think about teenage Tal and his lack of fashion sense. His quirky style was one of the things I loved about him. He didn’t care what other people thought about him, and I found it admirable.
I didn’t mind the knee-high socks and cargo shorts, just like I don’t mind the muscles and tight T-shirts now.
“My mom would like that I’m marrying him. He was always one of her favorites.” I’ve been feeling a deep sense of devastation that my parents won’t be here. I always pictured my dad walking me down the aisle and my mom sobbing into a tissue as I said my vows. I pictured her here to help me get ready and give me advice about marriage. Their marriage had its ups and downs, I’m sure, but I don’t ever remember them fighting. They were always hugging or holding hands, so in love, even twenty years in. I used to be disgusted by their blatant affection, but I miss it now.
“I know you wish they were here. I’m sorry they’re missing this. If it helps, I know they’d be so fucking proud of you.”
I hope that’s true. “Thanks, Liz. We should get my makeup on before I start crying.”
“On it! Let’s make you into the most beautiful blushing bride.”
Chapter 17
Talmage
14 years old…
Idon’t know much about the technical terms of dance, but I know I’m mesmerized watching Mack spin and leap across the stage. The way her movements flow together?
Breathtaking.
She looks beautiful in her costume, and I can’t stop staring at her.
During her first group number, I tried to watch the other girls, but they never held my attention for more than a few seconds because Mack is the only one I can focus on.
I love her so much.
I’ve heard the song she’s dancing to before but not like this.
Did she think of me when she picked this song?
I hope so. Because I’ll be listening to it on repeat and thinking of her.
My teenage dream.
When the song ends and she walks off the stage, I crane my neck to get every last glimpse of her I can.
“Isn’t she incredible?” Her mom’s voice is filled with pride. Even the twins are watching their sister with rapt attention.
“Incredibly incredible,” I say, then cringe at how silly that sounds.
