If she thought about Electra showing up, she felt sick to her stomach. She’d spent the night in tears, unable to believe Micah had betrayed her like that, and so ashamed that she’d believed in him. She’d been a dumb little country mouse, willing to hang on his every word. All that crap about wanting to spend the night with her. How he must be laughing at her now. Even more painful—a wonderful, tender moment she’d planned to treasure forever had been destroyed. She felt small and alone and embarrassed. But most of all, she felt sad. Sad that she’d given her heart and devastated that it had been rejected.

Reggie touched the injured side of her face. “Do you think we’ll be able to cover any of this with makeup?”

“Paisley’s going to come over later and assess the damage. If anyone can do it, she can. She was saying something about makeup that covers tattoos. Apparently that’s a thing. She said she could order it shipped overnight so it will be here in time for the wedding.”

Reggie winced. “I hope it works. I don’t care about being a freak so much as I care about distracting from Mom and Dad’s big day. Plus the pictures.”

Dena squeezed her hand. “You’ll be beautiful regardless.”

“Beautiful? Really? I’ll accept pretty or attractive, but not beautiful.”

“Don’t believe me? Ask Mom.”

Reggie chuckled. “She’s going to lie, same as you.”

They smiled at each other.

“I’m glad you’re feeling better,” Dena told her, reaching across the bed to stroke Belle’s face. The Great Dane wagged her tail but didn’t open her eyes.

“I’m fine. Sore and shaken, but much better. I’m only seeing one of you. There was no reason to take the day off school.”

“Are you kidding? You’re my baby sister. I had to be here.”

Reggie squeezed her hand. “You’re good to me.”

“I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

Reggie shifted, making more room on the bed. “All right, get comfy and let’s binge-watch something. I’m thinking funny with an edge.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

But before Dena could sit on the bed, their mother walked into the room, her expression confused.

“Dena, you said Micah was still in Los Angeles.”

Just the sound of his name was like a knife to her chest. Her breath caught, and she felt the blood rush out of her head.

“He is.”

“I don’t think so. The man is downstairs, and he says he wants to talk to you.”

Dena’s sudden need to throw up had nothing to do with morning sickness.

“He’s here?”

Her mother and her sister stared at her.

“What’s going on?” Reggie demanded. “Did you two have a fight?”