In October, McGuire will return to contemporary romance withher newest release.
There, Darby meets Scott Trex Trexler, a former Marine with plenty of secrets of his own.
Youre not getting sick, are you?
Credit: Rosdiana Ciaravolo/Getty Images
Shawn wont wanna have to deal with throw-up on his wedding night.
For better or worse, remember?
my bridesmaid Carly said.
Forever
I didnt have to see her to know she was annoyed with Stacy.
My sister-in-law was a female version of her brother.
I closed my eyes, holding the stick to my chest.
Mascara thickened the tears puddled high on my cheeks.
I clasped the pregnancy test tighter.
I couldnt afford bad decisions anymore.
They no longer affected just me.
Mama picked up after one ring.
Shed moved to Baton Rouge just after I turned eighteen, exactly two years after the accident.
I was the only person she disliked more than Shawn.
I knew youd call.
Do you need money?
Mama, I chuckled nervously.
Have I ever asked you for anything?
Franks family is visiting, and Ive got things to do.
If you dont need anything, whyd you call?
The um, the wedding is in a few minutes.
I wish you were here.
I held the back of my hand that held the pregnancy test against my forehead.
Hes still off work.
His back, you know.
He moved in last month.
Oh, I said, thinking about her two-bedroom apartment and how crowded it would be.
And Johnny, too.
Yep, got a divorce.
That was no place to raise a baby.
The phone call was a waste of time.
Im happy for you, Mama.
I should probably, um…
I pressed End, and stood, placing the stick on the counter next to my phone.
The faucet squeaked when I turned the knob.
The suds slid off my skin and down the drain.
The reflection in the mirror caught my attention, and I froze.
Most days I didnt recognize myself, but the fear and hopelessness had made a home in my eyes.
My tears had pulled black lines down my cheeks.
I wasnt sure I remembered how to smile like that anymore.
That girl was gone.
I reached for a paper towel and used it to wipe away the bright red lipstick from my lips.
A softer knock sounded.
Can I come in?
I swiped the stick off the sink and opened the door, letting Carly slide through.
Jesus, she is obnoxious, Carly hissed.
Are you sure you want to attach yourself to that for life?
When I didnt answer, she blanched.
Oh, shit, she said, clearly not worried about swearing in a church.
Her sweet, Southern drawl barely made it a cuss word.
To tell her youre backing out?
Is she coming to get you?
I shook my head and stared at myself in the mirror.
No ones coming to get me.
My voice sounded as broken as I felt.
Carly fussed with my hair.
Listen, if you want to do this, well fix your face and youll look beautiful.
Recognition flickered in her eyes.
Ill grab your things when no one is looking, and Ill take you wherever you want.
Carly didnt say anything she didnt mean.
She made a killing selling makeup, and her parties were more like womens empowerment retreats.
Shed tried talking me out of marrying Shawn as soon as shed found out we were engaged.
Shed also hosted our engagement party.
No one would wonder why, Darby.
We all know what happens at your house.
it’s possible for you to walk away from this guilt-free.
Stacy began pounding on the door again, my entire body jerking in reaction.
Carly licked her handkerchief and wiped the skin beneath my eyes.
If its not, Im going to get my keys, and Ill be waiting for you outside.
A few minutes after Carly left, my heart was pounding, my hands sweating.
Shawn didnt need more reason to come after me.
As promised, Carly was sitting in her Lexus.
I climbed into the passenger seat, my wedding dress spilling over the console onto her side.
She grabbed my hand.
Where do you wanna go?
I looked at the wristlet on my lap and nodded.
I have two hundred dollars.
Dont you worry about that.
We backed away from the church and pulled out into the street.
Hed warned me dozens of times what would happen to me if I left him.
More nights than I could count, Id lie awake to listen for sounds of an impending attack.
Carly turned down the volume and then grabbed my hand and squeezed.
Youre doing the right thing.
Its only going to get better from here.
