Nic nodded numbly. Her life was changing, wasn’t it? She didn’t feel in control and that scared her a little. A lot. At the same time, it comforted her. Abby was her safe haven. She wouldn’t let her fall.

Because Abby said she loved her.

Chapter Fifty-one

It was a beautiful, sunny spring day. Perfect for a wedding, she had to admit. The grounds were flawlessly manicured, flowers were blooming, and birds were singing. The chairs were set up in neat rows, curving around a small amphitheater which was bursting with white flowers.

Her mom and dad, along with Aaron, waited. Holly’s parents would escort her down the walkway. There was no best man or maid of honor. For that, she felt only a small twinge of guilt. It wasn’t Holly, but Aaron who called and once again asked her to participate in their wedding. While she had said a firm “no,” she did take that opportunity to speak to him about Holly. She didn’t actually tell him word-for-word what Holly had said to her, but she did let him know that Holly had blatantly hit on her. He laughed it off, saying Holly was just playing around.

“Are you sure this is what you want to do, Aaron? Maybe you should at least talk to her about it.”

“We’re getting married, Abby. It’s obviously not what you want, but it’s what we both want.”

She let it be, not wanting to argue with him. She knew it was not what Holly wanted even if Holly had convinced Aaron that it was. She told herself it was none of her business and she washed her hands of the whole thing. Or so she told herself.

And now here they were, sitting among a handful of guests. There was no big, elaborate wedding as Holly had predicted. It was a small, intimate affair, as they say. Even her grandparents hadn’t made the trip. She guessed twenty people at the most. She and Nic were sitting in the front row, holding hands. Nic was wearing her “best dress-up clothes” she’d told her. Neatly pressed khaki pants and a lovely navy blouse made her eyes a deep blue today. She had chosen to wear pants too, one of her nice suits.

She sat up a little straighter when the soft music changed to the traditional “Here Comes the Bride” chorus, a violin version that was very soothing. She glanced at her mother, who was smiling broadly. Her father stood beside her, his gaze on Aaron and not on the bride coming toward him. Did her father suspect that things weren’t all sunshine and harmony with them?