Fighting Fate (39 page)

To cancel, or not to cancel, either way, I realized I was probably headed for heartbreak.

Whether I liked it or not, whether he deserved it or not, Collin still retained a stronghold on my heart. Because of that, it made it awfully hard to think with my head.

“Tell me about California,” I said to Max. “Tell me about the vineyard and the winery. I want to hear everything.”

***

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“Oh my goodness,” Lanna hissed. “Those two are like vultures!”

I knew she was talking about my mother and Gwen. They’d been hovering all day. Mom had fussed over me as I was having my hair and make-up done. Gwen had followed me around while we were getting ready for pictures at the church. They’d both stood off to the side while the pictures were under way. Anytime there was a break in between, one or both of them were right there.

I knew what they were up to. So did Lanna.

They didn’t want me to have a minute to myself to think things through. Or—to them, worse yet—they didn’t want me to have any time alone with Lanna. They were both well-aware of what my best friend thought of the situation. They were both afraid she’d sway me at the last minute.

They didn’t trust me to be alone with her. They clearly thought there was a very good chance I would bolt.

“Come on!” Lanna said as the last of the pictures ended. She grabbed my hand and tugged me away from Collin. I glanced over my shoulder as we hurried down the aisle, toward the door that would lead out of the sanctuary.

Felicia was leading Mom toward the front of the church. She was pointing at one of the floral arrangements by the altar. Dani was standing in front of Gwen, fidgeting with her corsage. My guess was that the corsage was just fine. My friends were simply accomplices in the distraction Lanna had planned.

She ushered me to a quiet room, closing the door behind us. Her pale blue bridesmaid dress swirled around her as she spun to face me again.

“So, this is it,” she said. The concern on her face was so pronounced it was almost painful.

I blew out a breath.

“I know.” I was feeling ill. But wasn’t that normal? Weren’t jitters just something a bride had to deal with, even under the best of circumstances?

“Are you—”

“I’m sure,” I said, cutting her off. My mind was made up. It just made more sense to marry Collin than it did to
not
marry him. I was sure he’d been sincere. He’d made a terrible mistake. He regretted it. He would never let it happen again. I couldn’t just throw away our lifelong history. I just
couldn’t
. That didn’t mean I forgave him exactly because I was nowhere near that point yet. But I agreed with our parents, if we tried, we could work through it.

Couldn’t we?

“Can I just ask you one thing?” Lanna demanded.

“Do I have a choice?” I wondered.

“If this had happened two months before the wedding, not two days, not now when there hasn’t been time to think things through, would you still be standing here?”

“Holly?” my mother ”font size=called from the other side of the door. She turned the knob but of course it didn’t budge.

“Mrs. Hannigan!” Felicia called. “Can you come look at—”

“Holly? Are you in there?” my mother called again, clearly ignoring whatever it was Felicia had to say. “Open the door sweetheart! We should really retouch your make-up! Holly?!” Her tone had become shrill.

Lanna rolled her eyes.

“Holly, sweetheart? Let me in,” Gwen said, her voice was far too chipper. “Come on, open the door,” she coaxed.

“Maybe they’re not in there!” Dani said as she joined the group outside of the door. Her voice was too loud to pass as natural.

“We should check on the pew bows,” Felicia suggested.

“Holly!” my mother and Gwen both cried again.

Despite the interruptions, I tossed the question around in my head. If the weight of timing hadn’t been bearing down on me, would I be here? I didn’t know. I didn’t have time to ponder it either, because right then, the door swung open.

Gwen had gingerly settled onto her knees. Her shimmery lavender dress pooled around her. She still managed to look flawless. Her hair was still coiffed to perfection. She held a bobby pin in her hand, clearly having just picked the lock.

My mother rushed in, Gwen bounced to her feet and followed.

“Oh you poor girl,” Lanna said as she pulled me into a hug. “You never stood a chance against those two.”