d

ge on my tongue, but

ester, smiled. It was a calm, st

ronounced us hu

purse, started vibrating nonstop. I knew who it was. Ryan Clark. My childhoo

rustic Texas vi

s, just as I kn

eroic, his hair perfectly messy. He stro

ce ringing with fake emotion. "You can't mar

Some looked shocked, others look

d my hand. "Come with me. Run a

w husband. He just gave m

moment. The

om the altar. His friends, positioned near

ts, his entire demeanor changed. He dropped my

his buddies. "She actually did it.

. "You win, man. One hundred bucks. I hon

of contempt. "Seriously, Gabby? You're t

on. You can go back and finish your litt

him. I didn't cry

t not

ized weeks ago: the boy I grew up loving was a monster,

?" I asked, m

rised by my ca

are done with yo

and his snickering friends and walked back tow

en, a loud POP echo

e in glittering paper. The guests were

ht where I'd left him, at the

he said, his voice warm. "Rea

eal smile finally br

olut

unned and furious Ryan Clark outsi