Page 51 of Almost Beautiful (Beautiful 3)

“Do you forgive me?” she whispered.

“That’s what marriage is, right? Love, patience, and infinite second chances.”

Chapter Twelve

Cake

Abby

IGLANCED OVER THE CONTENTSinside the glass casing. As my mouth watered, I wondered which cake Travis would like best.

After almost an hour, I had finally narrowed my choices to just three: yellow cake with chocolate frosting, Neapolitan cake, also with chocolate frosting, or wedding cake.

Travis had made a fuss over the tiny cake at our wedding in Vegas, so I knew he liked white on white, too.

“Jesus Christ, Abby, pick one already,” America said, bored. She pulled a string of pink gum from her mouth and wrapped it around her finger. “I hate to think how long it took you to choose a wedding cake if it’s taking you this long to pick one for a casual birthday party for Travis.”

I didn’t take my eyes off the contents of the case, which included tiered cakes, cupcakes, round cakes, and rectangles, all decorated as differently as any personality one could imagine. “A wedding cake is for guests. This is for Travis. It has to be right.”

“You didn’t have guests,” she said, rolling her eyes. “So, yeah, if you had no guests, I see how it would be an easy choice. Ya know—if you’d bothered to invite anyone who wanted to be there, anyone who expected to be included in the biggest day of your life. Like your best friend.”

I wrinkled my nose. “What the hell, Mare? Why are you so cranky?”

She put her gum back in her mouth and then crossed her arms. “They’re not going for it.”

“Who isn’t going for what?”

“My parents. They said if Shep and I move in together, they won’t pay for my college.”

I was stunned.

America’s parents weren’t exactly pushovers, but they’d always made a point to support whatever truly made their daughter happy.

If America wanted to continue to attend college, I couldn’t imagine what the difference was. America spent the night with Shepley almost every night.

“I’m ... I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”

She shrugged. “How could you?”

“I’m surprised, actually.”

“Well … your wedding scared them. They think if we move in together, we’ll run off and get married. I’m not saying it’s your fault, it’s just the truth.”

I hugged her. “I’m sorry. I really am, Mare.”

“It’s just that … I’m going back to Wichita for summer break. Shep’s freaking out a little. I am, too ... and I know how that sounds, okay? I’m not the type to care if I spend three months away from a guy. Normally it would be a breath of fresh air. But I don’t want to miss him. Ever since we broke up ... it’s just different, you know? I really, really love him, Abby.”

I gave her a squeeze and then held her far enough away to look into her eyes. “Stay with us, Mare. You do, anyway.” I smiled. “It will be fun.”

She shook her head. “They won’t let me.”

“Why?” I asked, frustrated.

“I told you, they’re scared. Dad said he doesn’t want us getting too serious too fast. I understand their concern, but it just sucks.”

“You could still do it, you know. Get a job, and we’ll move your things.”

America’s eyes glossed over. “Easy for you to say. You have a scholarship or five. They pay for my tuition. If I want that to continue, I have to follow their rules.”