Page 116 of Her Goal
Emerson winks and thrusts a very large gift bag into my hands. “For the bride-to-be.”
Everyone gathers around, urging me to open the gift. Before I do and despite my growing affection for Hudson, this is all happening so fast. I say, “Ladies, listen. Do you have the big picture here?”
Ella says, “We got the projector out, so yes, it’ll be a big picture as in film, or as modern people saymovie. First, we’re doing some spa stuff, playing games, having dinner, and a pillow fight.”
“Let’s not forget watching the game,” Cara adds.
“This will be the first away game I haven’t attended this season, but I wouldn’t have missed hockey’s number one fan getting ready to marry hockey’s number one hottie.” Delaney rubs her hands together.
“Have you seen his hashtag? And I thought #MrDarcysAbs was—” Jess fans her hand in front of her face.
“You’re all married women,” I exclaim.
Whit nods slowly. “True, but we want you to appreciate what you have.”
“Back to the big picture and I’m not talking about movies. My parents arranged our marriage. You got that memo, right?” I ask, desperate.
They all nod and say variations ofyes.
“So …”
They look at me blankly.
“So this is insane. I cannot believe you’re playing along.”
“Your mother can be very convincing.” Margo shivers.
Ella nods. “I thought you were a tough cookie and then I met Valentina.”
“Let’s not forget Dani. Never mind Mama Bear, she’s Mama Sister,” Gracie adds.
They settle in various places on the couch and drag me over there with them.
Emerson flutters her eyelashes. “Let’s talk about Love Candy on Legs.”
This sets everyone laughing.
“He’s a total catch,” Heidi says.
“Are there any red flags?” Cara asks, either genuinely curious or remembering something from high school.
Biting my lip, I don’t answer.
In turn, they list several common concerns and I shake my head at each one: controlling, a liar, jealous, abusive, or non-communicative. Those do not apply to Hudson.
“How about green flags?” Margo asks.
The girls answer for me and I can’t disagree. It’s all true. He’s thoughtful, kind, a great listener, has told and shown me how he feels, recognizes my independence, is supportive, and seems to adore my family for reasons I don’t understand since they’re a giant human steamroller, whether all together or working in pairs.
“So what’s the problem?” Jess asks.
I can’t tell them because of how embarrassed I am.Yeesh.Talk aboutprideand prejudice.Hello ego. Hey there, past insult I can’t seem to shake.
“Let’s try it this way, what do you want? What’s your goal?” Whit asks.
A bubbly beverage lands in my hand. Emerson opens my gift for me and I change into a pair of soft cotton pajamas with the wordBrideacross the back like a sports jersey. Snacks appear and the girls gather around, genuinely here to help and not judge me, so I decide to get a teeny tiny, itty bit vulnerable.
“For the longest time, I wanted to be noticed. Chosen. I know it sounds silly. I’m just being honest.” I stuff some homemade caramel popcorn in my mouth.
