Page 85 of The Christmas Trap

My father half smiles. “Weweresurprised that you were marrying someone who is almost a stranger?—”

“—except he’s not a stranger. Not anymore,” my mother adds.

I begin to rub at my temple, then stop myself. I don’t want to mess up my makeup, or my hair. “Can you please spell it out for me? I’m a little on edge, seeing as I’m about to get married and all?”

“Your fiancé called us and told us how much he loves you. Andhow he convinced you to break it off with Keith and marry him instead.” My father beams.

I sink back in my chair. “Brody called you?” I shake my head to clear it.

And he didn’t even let on to my parents that it was my ex who dumped me. That’s a level of thoughtfulness I hadn’t expected. My heart stutters. Warmth fills my chest. Then a thought strikes me.

“But…I never gave him your contact details.”

“I did,” Raya pipes up.

“What?” I jerk my chin in her direction. “You…met Brody?”

“I, uh…called him up after the dress fitting and insisted on seeing him to make sure his intentions toward you were right. Imagine my surprise when he dropped everything to meet me the same day. He explained that he loves you and can’t wait to marry you.”

He told her he loves me.Clearly, he said that to justify why we're getting married. And she believed him? Sweet sleigh bells. He must be a convincing actor.

My head spins. “Uh… I think I need some water.”

Harper snatches up the glass of water and offers it to me. I take a few sips and hand it back to her. When I feel a little more composed, I turn on Raya.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

She flushes. “I figured you wouldn’t be happy.”

“I’m not.”

She hangs her head. “I wanted to make sure you weren’t committing another mistake. You went from breaking things off with Keith to marrying your boss so quickly.” She hunches her shoulders. “I was looking out for you.”

“Right.” Some of my anger melts away.

“Of course, meeting Brody made me realize, you’re doing the right thing.”

“Oh?” I try to take in everything she’s saying.

“Oh, yeah.” She nods eagerly. “The two of you are in love. And Brody insisted he didn’t see the point in waiting longer. Most of the arrangements had been made anyway. It makes sense you're getting married. And this time, it’s to the right man.”

Damn. Brody’s done a number on them. He’s gotten on their good side. They believe this marriage is genuine. And they’re looking at me with happiness and pride. Like this is the perfect wedding for the perfect bride.

Wow. He really did pull it off.

I should be grateful to him. And I am,in a way. I don’t have to pull out the half-baked explanations I was ready to pull out when I saw my parents.

On the other hand, why didn’t he tell me he did this?

"You sure you’re okay?" My mother squeezes my arm. "You can talk to us."

"I’m fine, Mom, I promise."

My father puts his arm around her shoulders. "Leave the girl alone. It’s natural for her to be jittery on her wedding day. Let’s give her some alone time with her bridesmaids so she can compose herself."

27

Brody