Page 25 of Fake Fiancé, Real Wedding
For Del, I’d move the fucking world.
Ducking under a dew-wet branch, I check my phone.
She’s not moving. The blue dot puts her at least fifty yards away on what looks like, according to the topographic map, the edge of a gorge.
I swear, if I get there and she’s just enjoying the view…
“I’ll hug the hell out of her, kiss her, and ask her to marry me,” I mutter.
Ploughing on, I replay every second I’ve spent with her to keep my calm and focus. Every minute since she barged into my life. Since shebecamemy life.
Yeah, I’m definitely going to ask her to marry me.
Flicking my phone another glance, I smile. The dot is still there, the signal steady. Maybe there’s a telecommunications tower where she is? Helpful, if that’s the case. I’ll be able to tell Jared he can stop worrying about Stevie being?—
The blue dot jerks east, over the gorge, and winks out of existence.
Fuck.
I break into a sprint. Branches whip at me. My pulse roars in my ears.
The path winds forever and ever until a sliver of blue sky finally opens up ahead, and I burst through the scrub into atiny clearing overlooking a vast valley. The sun blinds me for a heartbeat as I stumble to a halt, breath hooked in my throat.
Del sits on an old wooden park bench, back to me, haloed by the morning sun. Beside her sits a tall woman, wearing…
Unease prickles up my spine. It’s the woman from the bachelorette party. The one who bumped into Del, drunk and waving around a cocktail. Why is she up here with Del?
“But Iloveyou so much.”
The words waft back to me on a breeze, high-pitched and almost petulant. Andnotfrom Del.
Del shakes her head and says…something. Either the wind is snatching the words away, or she’s talking softly. Whatever it is, her shoulders are straight, her spine stiff. Her whole body screams she’s not having a fun time.
An icy inferno erupts in my chest. Footfalls silent, I head for the bench.
“You don’t understand,” the woman whines, leaning closer to Del. Del stiffens more but doesn’t move. She’s scared. But so fucking fierce. “If you just let me be your friend?—”
“This isn’t the way to do it.” Del’s voice finally reaches me, its tone low, modulated. “You’re scaring me. And a friend wouldn’t do that, right?”
I’m a few feet away from them. Drawing closer. Silent. Watching the woman’s agitated, jerky movements.
If I step in, what would the woman do?
“I didn’tmeanto scare you,” she whimpers, gazing at Del. “I’m sorry. I just wanted to tell you how amazing you are, and how I was so lost and alone until I started doing cosplay as well, because of you. And I got excited about the chance of telling you. And I just… I really didn’t mean to get weird. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”
I inch closer. One more step, and I can render the woman immobile.
“Hey,” Del whispers, smiling at her. “It’s okay.” She leans forward and wraps her in a loose hug. “It’s okay. Honest.”
I freeze. Coiled.
The woman drops her forehead onto Del’s shoulder. “I’m sorry,” she repeats with a sob. “I really am sorry.”
I suck in a swift breath.
And Del flicks a look at me.
Her eyes widen a fraction, and then she shakes her head.Don’t,she mouths.
