Page 38 of A Runaway in Winter
“What happened?” January asks cautiously.
“My future mother-in-law hated it and that was that.” I laugh, the sound morphing from hysterical to an all-out belly laugh that has me doubled over before straightening and wiping the tears from my eyes. “Sorry.”
“No apology necessary,” she says, her lips curving up in the corner. “And to be clear,” she says, her eyes dropping to my bare left hand, “you’rehappyto not be engaged anymore?”
“Very.”
“Well, if you decide to get engaged again, you know where to find us.” She winks before heading back to the counter.
Standing helplessly in the sea of white fabric, I’m saved when my phone vibrates in my jacket.
WREN: Girls’ night tonight
REID: Who else is in this message?
PEN: Umm…Pen?
REID: Oh hi! HUGE oversight I don’t have your number
WREN: You should be ashamed of yourself
REID: Stop yelling I fixed it
PEN: Umm…
REID: You’re just mad because I spent the snowstorm curled up with my hot farmhand
WREN: Because you KNEW the new bossman was starting this week
REID: DID YOU MEET HIM?
WREN: You would know if you’d actually come home
REID: Fine I’ll pick up those mini chocolate pies you like from Petit Squared
WREN: (gif of woman giving the side-eye)
REID: And wine to go with it
WREN: (blowing kiss emoji)
PEN: Should I bring something?
WREN: Just yourself if you can get away from my brother long enough
REID: He whistles at work now
WREN: I hate that I love that
REID: Me too
I smile,looking up from my phone as I make my way out of the bridal section toward the door.
PEN: You know what? It’s been a day; I’m picking up more wine
REID: That’s the spirit
WREN: See you soon!
