Page 44 of More For Me

Now that we don’t have to worry about staging pictures for the family, we try to hit as many rides as possible. We stand in lines to meet characters—because Bodhi is physically incapable of going to Disney and not taking a picture with Mickey—and eat churros and ice cream until our stomachs hurt.

All in all, it’s a pretty decent park day. Once we’ve crossed off everything on Bodhi’s list of must-dos, we still have an hour before we agreed to meet Vega and CeCe, so we stroll around the park for a bit. “I have an idea,” Bodhi says, eyes catching on something on the other side of the street. “Hang on.”

Before I can ask him what’s going on, he’s jogging across the street. I watch while he talks to a man with a leather biker jacket and a long gray beard. He gestures at me, talks some more, then the man nods, his smile completely transforming his somewhat scary gruff face. Bodhi turns back and waves me over excitedly.

“Everly, this is, uh, Snake,” he says, mouth twitching like he’s trying not to laugh. He gestures at the two adorable pigtailed girls at his side. “He’s here today with his granddaughters.”

I blink at Bodhi, having zero idea what’s going on. “Nice to meet you.”

“You too, ma’am.”

“Snake agreed to help us out.”

“With what, exactly?”

Bodhi gets that mischievous grin on his face again. “You’ll see. Just smile at the camera—Snake here is going to kiss your cheek.”

I burst out laughing, finally understanding where he’s going with this. “How did he talk you into this?” I ask the man as I come to his side.

He shrugs. “He just said the magic words.”

I don’t have time to ask for clarification because Bodhi is calling for us to smile at the camera. Just as he said, Snake leans over and gives me a barely there peck on the cheek, his scratchy beard tickling me.

“Perfect,” Bodhi says, looking at his screen. “Totally perfect.”

“Papa, we need to find our spots for the fireworks,” one of the girls says, tugging on his biker jacket.

“Okay, sweetheart.” He nods at me and Bodhi. “Hope that helps.” Then he leans in closer to me and murmurs softly. “Keep a hold of that guy. He’s one of the good ones.”

How this complete stranger knew that after talking to Bodhi for thirty seconds, I have no idea. Then again, it is Bodhi. I guess this is just more proof that there’s not anyone he couldn’t win over.

Once he’s thanked Snake again, Bodhi turns to me with the phone. On the screen this big, burly, bearded old man in biker leathers is kissing my cheek while I grin in delight. My face is lit up and happy as I look at the camera. It’s funny—if I didn’t know this was all a joke I might just think I was actually in love.

“What are you going to write?”

“How’s this?”

Bodhi:After much time and great reflection, Everly and I have decided to end our engagement. While we are upset, we are also determined to remain friends during this trying time. As you can see, Everly has already moved on and I am truly happy for her, in spite of my heartbreak.

“It’s good, but let me add something.” I start to type on his screen.Everly has decided to run away with her new man, Snake. He’s taking her to Vegas tonight. I know this will worry you, but he’s assured me he’ll take good care of her and even has an extra helmet for his motorcycle. You’ll meet her new husband when she comes home next Thanksgiving.

“You sure your dad isn’t going to kill me for this?” he asks, but he sounds more amused than worried.

“Definitely not.”

He nods. “Okay, one more thing…” I lean over his shoulder and read.Though our engagement was short, these happy hours would have never happened without you all. We are so thankful for your truly caring, not at all obnoxious or invasive (or rude or disrespectful or patronizing), attempts at showing us the way.

He grins up at me. “Think we cured them of their matchmaking?”

“Send it.” I watch his face while the first few responses come in, his grin huge and more than a little wicked.

“Thank you,” I say, more serious than I intended for this lighthearted moment. “Really, Bodhi. Today was so much fun.”

He nods down at me. “It really was.” He ignores the multitudes of texts pinging away on his phone and checks the time. “We don’t have to meet the Littles for another hour. What should we do?”

I gesture to where Snake disappeared with his granddaughters, into the crowd gathered around the castle. “We could watch the fireworks. That’s pretty much the most romantic thing you can do here, right?”

He looks at me for a long moment, studying my eyes. “I thought our fake romance was over?” he finally asks, sounding uncertain.