Page 28 of Somehow You Knew

“My mom knows everything,” I say, saving him from whatever fake sentiment he was about to conjure up.

“Oh.” His shoulders relax. “Well, this is uh…” He rubs the back of his neck. “It’s a lot to process.”

“I’m sure you two have a lot of feelings about all this,” Mom says, “but I believe Diane’s heart was in the right place. Though Iamworried about how it will affect you two when this is all said and done.”

“So you knew nothing about this?” Gage asks my mom.

“Oh, heavens, no.” She glances at me for a second before returning her attention to Gage. “But I trust my daughter, and I know this money could change both of your lives. If she feels this is what she should do, and you agree, then you have my support.”

Gage swallows hard. “She’s lucky for that.”

Placing a hand on his shoulder, Mom lowers her voice. “You’re a part of our family now, Gage. Don’t be afraid to ask for anything if you need it, okay?”

Mysoon-to-be-husband glances away from her and right at me, like the reality of us being married is finally hitting him.

“You look like you’re about to pass out,” I tell him.

He shakes his head and looks back at my mom. “Thank you.”

Her motherly smile offers him comfort. “My pleasure, Gage.”

“Hazel Sheppard and Gage Kingston!” Judge Carlson calls out from the front of the room, beckoning us forward.

Adrenaline races through me as I take one step forward, but my mom tugs me back. “Wait. They’re going to play the wedding music so I can walk you down the aisle.”

Gage, already near the judge’s bench, turns when he realizes I haven’t followed. “Hazel?”

“Mom…it’s really not necessary.”

She cups the side of my face, tears filling her eyes. “Yes, it is. It’s what your father would have wanted.”

I try not to let my emotions overwhelm me, but it’s hard. Turning my back to Gage, I take a few moments to gather myself.

It’s not too late to run, Hazel. You don’t have to do this.

But then the logical part of my brain kicks in.

5.1 million dollars. Suck it up. It’s just six months.

I inhale deeply then turn back to my mother. “Okay.”

Mom gives me a nod then snaps her fingers in the air, cueing the music.

From the front of the room, the bailiff pulls out a Bluetooth speaker and starts fiddling with his phone.

After a few seconds, he mutters, “Hang on, it’s being finicky.”

Mom starts tapping her foot impatiently.

Finally, a loudpopcrackles through the room, followed by a burst of static.

Then, suddenly, the unmistakable disco beat of a breakup anthem blares through the speaker.

I blink.Is… Is that “I Will Survive”?

The judge sighs. “Dammit, Ray. Wrong playlist.”

The bailiff frowns down at his phone, and a few awkward beats later, the right song finally starts playing.