“It didn’t start that way,” Audrey said. “I’ve known Clarke since we were kids, and I’ve seen him go through all the stages. Bewilderment that his parents were so against things that he loved. Sports, bugs, charming just about anyone who crossed his path. Then he went through an acquiescence phase, trying to learn to love science club and student council. That lasted about a month before the real Clarke burst out again, and then I think he just… gave up. Ironically, it’s only in adulthood that he’s gone full-on rebel. It’s like he goes out of his way to do whatever they don’t want him to.”

“Including marrying you?”

Audrey grinned. “His mom hates me.”

“I can’t picture that,” Claire said with a shake of her head. “I’ve never seen friends as dedicated to each other as you two.”

“Okay, she doesn’t hate me,” Audrey said. “But her feelings definitely top out at tolerance. She’s always made it quite clear that her vision for Clarke’s girlfriend is not a cheerleader turned sorority girl turned Instagram influencer.”

“So, she didn’t want him with someone hot,” Naomi concluded.

“I think it’s my flightiness that bothers her.”

“You’re not flighty.”

“No, but I’m no Elizabeth Milsap,” Audrey said, a little surprised by the edge in her own tone.

Her friends seemed surprised, too. They exchanged a look. “Who?”

She forced a casual shrug. “Clarke’s ex and half the reason we’re in this mess in the first place. She and Clarke broke up when she moved to DC a couple years ago. Now, she’s back in town, and Clarke’s mom’s gotten it in her head that Elizabeth would be the perfect daughter-in-law.”

“Would she be?”

Audrey hesitated. “I don’t know. She’s smart, ambitious, well-spoken.”

“Yawn,” Naomi said.

“But I don’t dislike her,” Audrey said. “I didn’t know her well. Whenever we did hang out, she was interesting to talk to, and though mostly serious, she did have a sharp sense of humor that made rare appearances.”

“But what does Clarke think about her?”

Good question. Audrey hated to admit it, but she wasn’t entirely sure where Clarke stood when it came to his beautiful, if slightly mysterious, ex-girlfriend. On one hand, he was certainly going to great lengths to avoid his mother’s scheming to push him and Elizabeth together. On the other hand, when his mother had tricked him into going to lunch with his ex, he hadn’t walked away. When his mother had brought his ex to his engagement dinner, Clarke hadn’t said a word against it.