Page 61 of Into The Rabbit Hole

That left Chloe and Taylor totalk.

“I can’t stop looking at your ring.” Taylor giggled, the ends of her hair bobbled in her high ponytail as shemoved.

“Me, neither.” Chloe laughed,too.

They sat together in the kitchen, finishing the last of the TootsieRolls.

“I’m so proud of you guys. I reallyam.”

“Oh, Taylor, you’re the sweetest.” Chloe straightened up against the chair. “It’s still sinkingin.”

“I’ll bet. Have you thought about when you want to get married?” Her green eyes glistened withexcitement.

“Wade wants to get married soon.” Chloe widened her eyes. “I was thinking something along the lines of next year, like next summer. But then he said why waste this summer, and suggested in a month’s time, or two at a stretch.” She tried to do Wade’s voice, similar to how Wes did it. Taylorlaughed.

“That boy is crazy in love with you.” Taylor continued laughing. “I love weddings and think if you guys decide to get hitched in a month or two, we all could definitely pull itoff.”

“A month or two, Taylor?” Chloe shook her head. It was absurd. No one could pull that off. Unless they decided on a quick get together inVegas.

“Well yes, my mom is a very powerful woman. People will fall at her feet to please her. It sounds terrible, but it’s true. If she says she wants a wedding in a month or two, believe me, it’ll happen. Plus, you have all the books you could ever need right here in my room.” Taylor raised aneyebrow.

Immediately Chloe felt bad and insensitive. Just months ago Taylor had been just like her, planning her wedding because she found the ring certificate in Richard’s house. Although Chloe hadn’t been babbling all over the place and getting lost in the excitement, she felt insensitive for not thinking aboutTaylor.

She’d momentarily forgot the last few months, probably because Taylor was now with Wes and they seemed perfecttogether.

“I’m sorryI—”

“Don’t,” Taylor interrupted, holding her hand up and smiling. She shook her head. “No apologies needed at all, because God knows what happened with Richard was for the best. I hated the scandal with his wife, and that’s all I feel bad for. Of course he really hurt me by what he did, but I was living in some kind of deluded fantasy and it was because I didn’t know better. I didn’t know that my better was a guy I’d known all my life and was best friends with my best friend. So, don’t say sorry.” She chuckled. It was good to hear her talk about Wes thatway.

“I’m happy for you and Wes. I know he feels the same way aboutyou.”

That made her smile widen. “Really?”

“Oh yes,Taylor.”

“I love that, and as for you, missy, I couldn’t be more thrilled at your news. I get to be related to you now, forreal.”

They both squealed indelight.

“That’s the best part,” Chloe intoned. “Taylor, my sister-in-law.”

“I love it, I do. Aww look at us. We needed this. We needed something good during this time.” Her expression toned down and receded into a blanklook.

Chloe had heard that a lot had happened in the mere week they’d beenaway.

As much as she and Wade had tried to keep away from the news, they’d both been shocked when they heard about Ben’s last two accusations, which were apparently true. There was an oil rig incident that killed over a hundred men, and Ben was also responsible for the death of Rachel Dean, who was Aaron’smother.

Wade had called Regina and she confirmed it all. Confirmed that everything they’d heard wastrue.

She could hardly feel comfortable calling Aaron a psycho now, knowing that Ben, a man who wore a simple face, who was a revered public figure, had done so muchwrong.

Thankfully the public’s eye seemed to have turned on him and people seemed more sympathetic towards the rest of the Vanderville family. That was reinforced by Ben and Regina’s divorce being finalized this morning. That was in the news today, both mainstream and celebgossip.

Chloe hated it all. She’d never thought it was such a burden to be part of a well-known family, but she could see it now. That aside, serious things were happening as the truth revealed itself, and she was wondering what danger awaited them. What had she come backto?

The ring on her finger was a dream of something her heart desired so much. But outside of the love, all of what was happening scaredher.

“Are you okay?” she askedTaylor.