Page 114

Della cringed.
“What, Mom?” I asked. “Why do I have the feeling you’re going to say something I don’t like?”
Mom laughed. “It’s just an old woman’s advice.”
“Advice?”
She nodded. “Look, you’re working for the man, you’re raising his child, you’re living in his house... It won’t be long before you won’t be taking a salary anymore, right?”
My heart stiffened. I really hadn’t thought about my salary, but I didn’t want to admit that she had a point.
She waved her hands. “All I’m saying is that marriage offers certain...protections. I’d hate to see you build a kingdom with a man and have no right to the castle in case, God forbid, you break up or something happens to him.”
I looked at Della. “Tell them they’re crazy. It’s way too soon.”
Della looked down at her drink. “She does have a point, Liv...”
Turning toward Henrietta, I raised my eyebrows.
“You never know,” Henrietta said. “Freak accidents happen all the time...”
I frowned. “What happened to ‘if you’re happy, I’m happy?’”
“I want you to be happy,” Hen said. “But I also want you to be smart.”
Mom looked between us, her expression apologetic. “I didn’t mean to upset you, honey.”
Well it was too late for that. “I just need some air.” Which was a stupid thing to say when we were outside, but I got up anyway and walked toward the practice so I could hide in the bathroom until I cleared my head.
Because my mom? She was right.
Even if I could get past the symbolism of a wedding and what it meant for a relationship... how could I get past having no protections, no security for my future if something happened to Fletcher?
When I got inside the bathroom, I locked the door behind me. On the verge of tears, I pressed my hand on the vanity and looked in the mirror.
Was this really what I wanted for myself? I loved Fletcher, but what if he got sick or passed away unexpectedly? I would be shut out of all decisions, be out of a home, out of a bank account I supported him in building, out of Maya’s life unless Regina decided to count me in.
All because... he messed up with Regina in the midst of battling PTSD? He could make different vows to me, ones that stuck this time.
I blinked quickly, trying to hold back tears, wishing that my mom hadn’t said anything and that I could be in a blissfully ignorant kind of love with Fletcher.
A knock sounded on the door, and I called back, “Just a minute.”
Then came Fletcher’s voice. “It’s me. Can I come in?”
My heart somersaulted. And I hated that my first thought wasno.
“Sure,” I replied instead, unlocking the door and stepping back. I wrapped my arms around myself, attempting to keep it together.
Fletcher looked stunning in his dark-wash jeans and button-down with the sleeves rolled and the top button undone. “Hey.” He leaned in and kissed me. “Della said I might want to check on you... What’s going on?”
“We don’t have to talk about it now.” I tried to smile reassuringly but failed miserably.
“Liv, what’s wrong?” he asked, studying me. “Did something happen?”
I bit my lip, shaking my head. “This really isn’t the place or the time.”
His eyebrows furrowed. “If you’re upset, here and now is the place and time to talk about it. I can’t enjoy the party knowing there’s something wrong with the woman I love.”