“And even if you don't love her, that's not really such a horrible thing. Love is a feeling; it's fleeting. Having a secure future is far more important.”
She walked away before I could say something nasty, her high heels click-clacking on the tile floor until I could no longer hear them.
Ken cleared his throat noisily. “Ah, you don't have to go through with this. If you don't want.”
Of course I knew. If it just wasn't for Sarah, if not for that one simple thing, if not for my ass of a father being the selfish prick he was, then I'd speed out of here in a heartbeat.
“Dad would see it as direct disobedience if I refused. Maybe if there was a way to screw everything up. Stall for time somehow.”
To what end?
Out there, the music grew louder. The excited chatter of the guests faded into whispers. It was just about time for me to head out there.
“Boss?”
“Let's go,” I grunted, brushing past him.
All that could save me now was a Christmas miracle of my own.
Chapter 26 - Sarah
Holy crap. Was I really about to go through with this?
“Get down!”
Lana shoved me behind the wall as a couple of laughing women hurried past. The train of my wedding gown stuck out a little bit, so it was pure luck we hadn't been spotted.
I exhaled a bit too loudly. “This is never going to work.”
She clucked at me and straightened the veil around my face. “If you really wanna stop this sham of a wedding, it's the best chance you have.”
Such an awful plan. I was relying on Macy to “get Rosa out of the way,” whatever she meant by that. I hoped it was nothing violent or illegal, but knowing her, it probably was.
“Rosa won't be going willingly.” I peeked around the corner. Coast was clear. “And it's not as if we have the same figure, so to speak. This won't fool anyone.”
“All you gotta do is replace her long enough to reach the altar.”
We made a mad dash for the next pillar. Lana stepped on my dress and nearly sent me to the floor.
“And then what? Asher is gonna magically marry me instead of her? You think his family will just be okay with that? They'll stone me to death.”
She had no remark. Still, if we didn't act now, it'd be too late. Was I doing this to save Asher from marrying that harpy, or because I wanted him for myself?
Maybe he didn't even want to be saved. Maybe our stunt would make him angry.
The piano music from the main hall was getting louder. Nearly there now. Asher was probably waiting at the altar.
“Ladies and gentlemen, please take your seats,” said someone over the microphone.
“What's Cole up to?” I whispered.
“Haven't spoken to him since he stormed out of the shop. Let's pray he doesn't do something stupid.”
“You mean like we're doing now?”
She scoffed and gave me a bit of a shove – right into the next person who came around the corner.
“Rosa! There you are.”
Uh-oh. Vivian, of all people; great.
I quickly tugged the veil around my face and prayed she wouldn't take a harder look. Luckily, it smelled like she'd already had a few beverages, so maybe she might not notice.
“Why on earth are you just wandering around out here? Your family is looking all over for you,” she chided, practically pushing me down the hall. “The show's about to start.”
“Sorry.”
I looked over my shoulder. Lana was still crouched behind the pillar, watching me go and looking very worried.
“I do hope you've finished your makeup and hair. We've spared no expense on the finest photographers in town.”
“Of course.”
She must not have noticed I sounded nothing like Rosa. Lucky for me, she kept on chattering about how I should act going down the aisle and what direction to turn my head when I reached the altar so the photographers could get good shots of me.
I wanted to tell her they'd be taking pictures all right, but not exactly of what she wanted them to be.
Vivian continued on ahead of me, still talking to herself. I tried to hurry along, but the hefty dress made it not so easy. Why did I have to pick out this thing again?
“Mmmmph!”
“Shut up, damn it.”
Low voices and a sound of a struggle made me pause. There, in the maintenance room next to me. It sounded awfully like Macy.
There was a loud thump, and the door creaked open. Rosa was on the floor inside, a gag in her mouth and her arms tied behind a pipe. Macy looked up at me in surprise.
“What are you still doing here? Hurry it up, before they figure out what's going on and come looking for her.”
“And what are you doing – kidnapping her? We're all going to get arrested.”
“No, of course not.” She faked a laugh. “This is nothing but an, uh, practical joke. Ha ha. Now get moving!”
I hurried to shut the door. Well, Macy did say she'd “get rid of her,” so what did I expect?
Now that this was done, I had no choice but to go through with it.
At last, I reached the foyer before the chapel. I was immediately assaulted by a flurry of camera flashes that temporarily made me go blind.
A man's voice, unfamiliar to me, called out. He nudged me toward the aisle. The crowd's chattering turned quiet; a new song began to play.
“I thought perhaps you had gotten cold feet,” said the man. “But how silly of me. Today is the most important day of your
