Chapter 2

Donna was everything to Elliot. Not even the slightest joke about her was tolerated.

But me? I was the clown he used to spice up his bets. He could humiliate me however he pleased, and it wouldn't make a difference.

When the video ended, my heart ached with every beat.

Tears slipped out again, splashing onto my phone and smudging his triumphant grin on the screen.

I wiped away the tears and cleaned the screen, fixing my gaze on Elliot's face.

This was the guy I'd been in love with for eight years. We grew up together.

He knew exactly how much I liked him, so he knew how to cut the deepest.

He'd forgotten all those promises he made back when we were young.

"Faye, if you're still single at thirty, we'll marry," he once said.

Now I was thirty, and I was getting married.

But Elliot didn't know I wasn't marrying him.

The wedding dress I chose was ankle-length, something my fiancé and I picked out together.

I gathered up my skirt and stepped around Elliot, heading straight for the city hall.

Suddenly, Elliot grabbed my wrist.

"Drop the act, Faye. Who are you putting on this show for?" he said. "If you're really that eager to get hitched, just go in there and grab any random guy to marry.

"Honestly, you'd be doing me a favor. Maybe then you'd finally quit pestering me."

I looked at his face and realized I didn't even have the strength to argue or get mad anymore.

All I felt was disappointment and sadness.

The Elliot who used to run half a mile to drag someone back and make them apologize for talking bad about me was long gone.

I shook my head, trying to pull my hand away, but Donna popped up out of nowhere and yelled, "Elliot!"

Elliot instinctively let go. And to show off his devotion, he fished out an alcohol wipe and scrubbed the hand that had touched me, like he was disinfecting himself.

It was as if I was some kind of contamination he couldn't wait to get rid of.

Donna asked, "Elliot, why are you here?"

She turned to me. "Faye, are you really getting married today? You're even wearing a wedding dress."

Elliot looked around, totally flustered. He was too chicken to admit the whole thing was a bet about me.

Panicking, he yanked one of his buddies over and shoved him next to me, laughing. "Donna, you nailed it. Today's the big day. Faye and Jeff are tying the knot.

"We're all here to cheer them on and send our best wishes."

As soon as he finished, his gang of rowdy buddies started cheering, echoing his words. "That's right, Donna. Today's Faye and Jeff's big day. We're here to celebrate."

I glanced at Jeff Tuttson, who was shorter than me and had that goofy grin plastered on his face. A wave of nausea hit me.

With Donna still looking suspicious, Elliot gave me and Jeff a shove toward the city hall.

"Quick, go get that marriage license. Donna's watching," he urged.

His shove made me stumble, and Jeff, feeling bold, grabbed my hand.

Jeff muttered under his breath, "Faye, Elliot's never gonna pick you. But hey, you're kinda cute and got some curves. We could settle for each other, you know?"

I couldn't hold it in anymore. I ripped my hand out of his slimy grasp and doubled over by the wall, retching.

Elliot jumped in right away, "Whoa, Faye, are you pregnant? So you two are getting married because of a baby? Jeff, way to go!"

Donna beamed and congratulated us.

She said, "Faye, I used to worry about your love life, but I never thought you'd end up with a husband and a baby so soon. Congrats!"

I just gave Elliot a cold stare while he was still laughing it up like it was all a big joke.

I said flatly, "That's right. I am getting married, but not to any of you pathetic jerks. My fiancé is already inside getting our number. Hold off on the congratulations until then."

Elliot's grin froze on his face.

Just then, my phone rang.

I picked up and murmured, "Second floor, right? I'll head in and grab our number first. Okay, got it."

I turned to Elliot, who was frozen in place.

I said, "I'm wearing this wedding dress because my fiancé hired a photographer to document our big day at the city hall.

"This dress is the easiest to move around in out of the seven wedding outfits I picked.

"Since you're all here, I'll hand out my wedding invitations in person. The wedding is on the tenth next month. Hope you can make it."

I pulled out the invitations from my bag and passed them around. When I got to Elliot, he didn't take it.

The people who got the invitations started whispering to each other, saying, "Maybelle Hotel? That's the fanciest place in the whole city. Did Faye land herself a rich guy? She's really marrying up."

Elliot smirked, his eyes full of contempt.

"Faye, you really do know how to put on a full-blown show, don't you?" he sneered. "Wedding invitations? A reception at Maybelle Hotel? These stunts are ridiculous."