All's Fair in Love and Blood - Jennifer Peel Page 0,2
them now, if you included the two today. Most of them were around my age, give or take a few years. Becoming a stepchild of Augustus Armstrong meant having your college tuition paid for and a job upon graduation, as long as you didn’t screw up too badly.
When the pastor started the ceremony, I felt a surge of hope that I would be able to breathe soon. This was a new pastor, as our old one said he couldn’t in good conscience help my father marry for the eighth time. He had suggested that perhaps my father should take a good look at his life and reevaluate some things. No one told Augustus Armstrong what to do, not even a man of God, so he’d found a new pastor.
Unfortunately, this pastor didn’t know the routine and droned on about the beauty of becoming one and making a life together. He also made the mistake of saying “until death do you part.” There was a smattering of laughter throughout the audience. Even I had to hold back the giggle that wanted to escape. Eva didn’t find it amusing and tsked loudly. Apparently, she didn’t appreciate anyone who dared to crush her hopes and dreams of defeating the odds stacked against her. She would learn.
I had never been more grateful to hear the words “I now pronounce you husband and wife; you may kiss the bride.” The fact I couldn’t see it made it all the better. Maybe Eva, though partially evil, was onto something. Maybe I wouldn’t wear glasses to any of my father’s future nuptials. I’m sure the kiss was like all the previous wedding kisses. My father would give the crowd a show by looking longingly at his bride before gently kissing her, and then he would dip her down for effect. After all, he needed a good photo op for the papers and online media outlets. Sure enough, I could see all the flashes of light from the cameras. By the way the crowd was clapping, it sounded like a kiss for the books.
The blessed recessional music started. It was then I made my decision. I wasn’t walking back down that aisle in these heels. In fact, I was going to wait it out. My ankle was killing me. Garrett could make it back fine without me. He would probably be thrilled, seeing as he had tried to trade bridesmaids with all the other groomsmen. I might not see well, but my hearing is above average. Kane had told him to knock it off. It was very decent of him, given he hardly knew me. Naturally, we’d seen each other at the rehearsal dinner, and he’d been by the house, but I’d hid in my room. I had even seen him at headquarters, as my father called the office. He’d never really said anything more than hello and how are you in his extremely charming southern drawl. It had given me butterflies, which was ridiculous.
“Are you coming?” Garrett hissed, shaking me out of my thoughts of his cousin.
“Go on without me.” I waved him away.
All my ex-stepsiblings chuckled. Mindy, my favorite ex-stepsister and one of the few friends I had, grabbed me and helped lead me to the pew next to her. My father had married Mindy’s mom, Cindy when I was eleven. Yes, Cindy and Mindy. I never understood the reasoning behind the rhyming names. Yet who was I to judge? I mean, when people heard my name was Scarlett, they automatically assumed I was some sexy siren. People were severely disappointed. Thank you, Scarlett Johansson for giving everyone unrealistic expectations of the name.
If only Auggie could have stayed married to Cindy. Not that she was my favorite, but Mindy was by far my favorite stepsibling. She’d made middle school bearable when I was even more awkward than I am now. Braces weren’t a good look for me.
Mindy gave me a side hug. “How’s your ankle?”
“I’ll survive.” I reached down and rubbed it. I had a feeling there was going to be some swelling.
“Well, you look beautiful.” She was too kind. She was the pretty one. Tiny, blonde, with all the right curves. She’d made it through college without gaining a single pound. But she deprived herself of cookies. So not worth it.
“It’s the SPANX. Which reminds me, if I pass out, get some scissors and cut me free. No need to call 911.”
She laughed. “Why in the world did you wear SPANX?”