Her Reluctant Husband by Erica Marselas (books to read for 12 year olds .TXT) 📕

haven’t done before. Plus, I have some work I can do." There are always finances, schedules, and routines to go over.

"From that invisible job you have?"

"Yep, that one. I'll see you in a couple of hours, Alex.”

"You look positively gorgeous,” Maggie says as she slides a silver hair clip into my hair, one that belonged to Aunt Liz. I’m standing in the middle of Liz’s bedroom as Maggie and Ms. Gandy help doll me up. Both of them took me shopping at a dress boutique downtown. I found this perfect lace, tea-length dress with cascading ruffles and a sweetheart cut. When I put it on, I felt like a beautiful bride. Like the bride I always wanted to be. Most dresses I looked at washed me out and swallowed me up, but this one hugs the slight curves I’ve gotten back over the last two years just right. I don’t look too skinny and it gives my boobs a push.

Both ladies are in their Sunday best. Ms. Gandy still looks the same from when I was a teen; her same tight white librarian bun, light wrinkles around her face, and the deepest blue eyes.

“You're going to blow that man out of the water,” Maggie gushes once more as she stands back to look me over.

"I doubt it." I rub my right hand, where the cut is healing from the other day.

"Though we need to do something about these dark circles under your eyes." Ms. Gandy brushes her finger under my eyelids. "Do you still not sleep? Lizzy told me you struggled with that."

"I don't, but you'd be amazed how you get used to living off a couple of hours a night."

"It's not healthy dear,” she tsks.

"I know, but I’m fine, really."

"Lizzy wanted nothing more than for you to be a happy and sane, little girl. Sleeping and eating right are a big part of that.” Ms. Gandy grips my chin. “And you could use both of those.”

“I know.” I’ve heard both countless times since I’ve moved here. “But she should have known having me marrying Alex wasn’t going to help my sanity. By the way, did you know she was setting this all up?” If anyone knew about this harebrained idea it would have been Ms. Gandy.

"She told me in the last few weeks before she passed what she had up her sleeve.” Ms. Gandy turns to Maggie and chuckles. “She asked me if I would help keep an eye on you two. Wanting me to make sure this transitioned smoothly and also keep you two in line. And if there were any major problems, Maggie or I could step in.”

"You do realize this is nuts, right?"

“I’ll admit I thought she was pulling my leg at first, but I also happen to believe sometimes the best things come out of the craziest plans." She squeezes my hand. "Lizzy always thought you two would be good together.”

"We never even got the chance to be together." I drop my head and fiddle with the loose lace of my dress. Deacon made sure I never got my happy ever ending with Alex or anyone else. He always got what he wanted.

"That's why she's doing this.” Ms. Gandy lifts my chin. “So you get that chance you missed. All the pain and hurt are heavily layered over what you both could’ve had. Once you dig past it, I bet it'll be magic,” she says whimsically, and I roll my eyes.

"Or a bloodbath."

"Or a bloodbath," she readily agrees, "and I'll clean it up afterward."

"Ms. Gandy, if this really doesn’t work. Will you still sell to Orlando? Can’t you lie for us?”

She takes my hand and squeezes it. "The last thing I want to do is give that land to that brute, but I also made a promise to Liz to help honor her last wishes. Do I think the marriage thing is extreme? Sure, but it’s the best way. Stick you two together so you can try to work things out.”

"He hates me."

"He doesn't hate you." I tilt my head, silently calling her out. “Alright, in his mind it's hate, but he doesn't. What Alex truly feels for you is love; it’s just buried under a lot of hurt and what he believes is betrayal. Hopefully one day you two talk and lay out everything. For now, cheer up, it’s still your wedding day.”

“Oh, yay,” I mutter sarcastically.

"You know, I've heard angry sex is the best,” Maggie muses randomly and then her cheeks tint bright red.

“Maggie!” Ms. Gandy smacks Maggie’s shoulder, pretending to be astonished by her words.

"I might be old, but I've read Marie Claire and Cosmo while I'm getting my hair done."

"It’s never going to happen.”

“Never say never. You do know, they say the difference between hate and love is a very thin line and if that is true, well you two are just balancing on that line and just waiting to be pushed off to the correct side. It’s either going to be the bloodbath you predict or it’s going to be something you never saw coming. I’m voting for the latter.”

The sun is shimmering off the pond, the birds are chirping all around us, the temperature is perfect on this summer day, and there’s not a single cloud in the sky. It's a bride’s dream day. The only thing is, this bride’s groom looks miserable.

He hasn't looked at me once since the ceremony started. Not even when Ms. Gandy walked me down from the house to give me away did he make eye contact with his future bride. Though our hands are attached and Mr. Kelley is giving a lighthearted speech about love and commitment, he's looking through me, not at me, with a permanent scowl etched in his forehead.

I wish for