My Big Fat Fake Wedding(109)

She laughs. “But when he told you to, you marched right out there and got yourself a bride. Fucking overachiever.”

Abi and Courtney both laugh, and I’m reminded of the years at home, the two of them having each other’s back, but me always watching over them. I feel like those roles are changing. That maybe we’re on equal footing now, protecting each other, and their attempt to knock some sense into my head is done with love.

“So, you two think my leaving is a good thing?” I’m trying to put pieces together here, but I feel like everyone else had the puzzle finished long ago and I’m just getting the box opened.

“Give the man a cookie,” Courtney says.

“Well, that’s what I’m doing,” I say, throwing my hands up. “Why are you giving me such a hard time if I’m doing what you think I should?”

“Because you need to do it for the right reasons,” Abi says, chill as a cucumber.

“Yeah, well, I’ve been doing all sorts of things for the wrong reasons lately, haven’t I?” I say morosely.

They’ve given me so much to think about—my own personality, my history with Dad, my work here at the company—but I was telling the truth earlier. It’s really all about Violet right now. The rest can wait. “She hates me. Look what happened to Papa. That was why she was doing all of this, and I ruined it.”

“Pretty sure that was Colin,” Abi says drolly. “But she doesn’t hate you. She’s just struggling right now. Papa had surgery Sunday, and he’s still in ICU.”

“They’re moving him to rehab today,” I interject, and she gapes. I shrug. “The hospital talks to the financial guarantor to arrange payments. What insurance didn’t pay, I am. It’s the least I can do.”

Court and Abi both grin. “Good move,” Court says with approval.

“Well, it’s the only one I have until she talks to me again. I just want to be there for her. I know she’s hurting and I don’t want her to go through this alone.”

“You really do love her, don’t you?” Court says, and I nod.

Abi whispers something, looking at the ceiling, and I get the impression she’s praying for forgiveness. “Uh, Abs . . . you okay?”

“I’m going to break a cardinal rule of friendship here, and that’s something I don’t take lightly. I want you to know that.” Her build-up is making me nervous, but then I fly with her words. “Violet loves you, Ross. She always has, I think, but more importantly, she really does now. She didn’t want to tell you before the wedding, but she’s in love with you. Disgustingly so.”

I stand up in shock, getting in Abi’s face as I grab her shoulders and shake her. “Are you serious? I love her too, but I figured I could make her love me after she’d married me.”

She laughs. “Figured a captive audience would be in your favor, did you?”

“Holy shit, I have to go to her. Now. Where is she?” I grab for my phone, already looking for her number. No, Archie’s number. Violet won’t answer, but I’ll get him to tell me where she is.

“Whoa there, cowboy,” Court says. “I think this is the time when you don’t go rushing off half-cocked—wait . . . some other expression because I can’t talk about my brother’s cock. Anyway, what you need is a plan.”

Abi claps happily. “Ooh, you’re speaking my language, Sis.”

“Scheming?” I ask, worried. “Isn’t that how we got into this mess?”

Abi laughs. “Yeah, but sometimes, the only way to get out of the mess of a scheme . . . is another scheme. This one’ll be different, though.”

“How so?”

“You’re going to make a complete ass of yourself while being totally honest. We combine that with enough romantic over the top gushing and you may have a chance.”

I nod and wrap an arm around my sister’s shoulders. “Okay, if we’re being all honest and shit, I love you guys.”

“You’re all right sometimes,” Court says with a smirk that looks so similar to my own.

Abi hugs my ribs, grinning. “Love you too, big brother.”





Chapter 28





Violet—Friday—6 Days After the Wedding





“Papa?” I ask as I come into his room. He’s awake, which I didn’t expect, but also, Nana and Mom are standing next to his bed looking happier than they have been in nearly a week.

“Violet, come here honey,” Papa says, waving me over as he pats the bed next to him.

Mom still hasn’t said much to me over the last few days, sticking mostly with Papa’s medical updates and some orders on what to do at Nana’s house, like ‘go by and water the plants.’ But right now, she seems to be in a better mood because she nods with a smile. She plants a kiss on Papa’s cheek and then she and Nana move to give me space next to him.

“Sit down. Your grandmother’s been filling me in on a lot of what’s been going on while I was taking a nap.”

“You weren’t taking a nap, Papa,” I remind him, worried he’s confused about what’s been happening. “You were—”

“I know, little one,” Papa says with a smile, rubbing my hand. His voice is so soft I can barely hear him, but the light in his eyes means so much to me. He’s not giving up, not yet. “But I’m not going just yet. I just wanted to pass along a little bit of advice, an old man to a young lady.”