Page 72 of Honey Bun

He linked our fingers together. “She saw that the jeweler had called me and asked me if she could come. She said if I asked with this ring, it was a sure thing.”

I laughed and wrapped my arms around him. I’d wanted to be in his arms since I arrived. “Guess I’m starting on the second wedding for my portfolio.”

“Portfolio?”

I’d meant to tell him earlier. “I’ve signed up to get a certificate at the community college, and I have to plan three weddings in total to graduate.”

He winked. “I’m sure my mom will enlist your help when she finds brides for my brothers.”

“I just hope they are as happy as we are.”

My eyes fluttered closed. He kissed me, and I knew nothing would ever stop us from being together. I loved him. He loved me. And this was just the beginning of… us.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Cyrus

My phone call went unanswered. Fixing the past had taken over my life. I’d filled out the form for dropping out of the dance competition, and I would mail it the next day. It was time to end the past and somehow patch together a future.

The yellow flowers of the wedding were cheery and bright and the opposite of what I felt. I hung up the phone and headed back to my family table. As I made my way across the room, I bumped into Maddie, who was soon to be my sister. “You did a great job.”

She nodded. “Thanks. I’m just glad Joel and Kendal are happy.”

We both looked at the couple, who were dancing effortlessly together. “So, I’m excited to have you as a sister.”

Then she pointed to table four. “You’re probably wanted over there.” Standing shoulder to shoulder with me, she asked under her breath, “Are you talking to Elon now?”

I’d never stopped talking to him, despite the fact that my mother had called a family intervention meeting. I’d been disappointed, but my mess wasn’t his fault. “Yeah. We’re having a beer in a few minutes.”

Maddie patted my shoulder. “Good. Family is important.”

I winked. “You sound like my mother.”

She directed me forward. “She’s the best. I’m modeling my life after her example.”

My strict plan to marry later and follow my parents’ example had blown up in my face. I said, “She’s disappointed in me.”

She sighed. “I’m sure there’s a way for you to talk to Leah.”

Doubtful.She hadn’t responded to me. It was like she didn’t want me to exist or want me there. But I wouldn’t burden Maddie with that. “Next week, my plan goes into action.” Arman waved for her from the other side of the room. I pointed. “And you’re needed over there.”

Maddie walked me to my seat. “I’m going to be the best sister-in-law I can be, so if you need me, just call.”

I let her go. “You make my brother happy. That’s what really matters.”

Then she waved and went to him. Seeing my brother and Maddie and Joel and Kendal together made me hope one day I would have a different life.

But first, I needed a solution.