Promised (The Promised Series)

and grabs the letter. “I didn’t realize it was so late. I need to get home.”
    I stand up and take her hand. “I’ll walk you out.”
    “See you later, Mrs. Tat…I mean Kate.”
    “Drive careful, Wyn.” Mom tells her in way of goodbye.
    “See you at school, Nate.”
    “Bye.” Nate responds back, not taking his eyes away from the reality show he’s found on TV.
    I walk her out and once she’s situated in her car, she rolls down the window so I can lean in. “Remember, only I can touch you.”
    She rolls her eyes at me. “I believe we already went over this.”
    “Just a little refresher for the road.” I explain and pull her closer so I can kiss her. “And don’t forget you can call me anytime. I don’t care if it’s three a.m. and I went to sleep at one a.m. If you have something going on or just need to talk, you call me.”
    Her hand cups my jaw as she looks up at me with smiling eyes. “I love you too.” I guess my worrying makes my feelings pretty obvious. Thank goodness she finds it adorable, rather than annoying.
    “Be careful.”
    “I will.” She promises.
    “Text me when you make it home.”
    “Linc.” She sighs.
    “Okay, okay. Bye, Wyn.” I straighten from the car.
    “Bye.” She blows me a kiss and then rolls up the window and takes off.

Chapter 24 – Wyn
    ~Blame Disney~
    My legs are crossed and my foot is bouncing. Mom is sitting across the little white bistro table from me, sending texts. We’re doing our best to ignore each other. So far, we’ve accomplished this, but today we’re forced to be together for the cake testing. I hate that her and Dad are spending all this money on a wedding I don’t plan on going through with, but I can’t tell them I’m leaving. I tried to talk them into a smaller wedding, to cut some costs, but they weren’t hearing any of that. So my hands are tied.
    Dani waddles in. Seriously, she’s a month and a half away from her due date and that’s the best way to describe the way she’s walking at this point. She takes the last seat at the table as she rubs her belly. “Bring on the cake. Lil Wyn is kicking me; she’s so excited about this.”
    Mom arches one of her perfectly manicured eye brows at the baby’s nickname, but doesn’t respond. I reach over and touch Dani’s belly, trying to feel my niece kick. I catch her movements and smile up in awe. “She is excited.”
    “I told you. She’s not even here yet and she’s already acting like you.” Dani teases.
    “Let’s hope that changes when she arrives.” Mom mumbles under her breath, but still loud enough for Dani and me to hear.
    I take a deep breath and release it before responding. “Just because I don’t want this wedding, Mom, doesn’t mean I’m a bad daughter.”
    “I’ve dreamed of planning your wedding since the day you were born and you’re making it miserable. When you and Shay have a daughter, you’ll understand how I feel.” She whines, setting her phone down so she can turn her full attention to me.
    “Didn’t you think I’d have my own ideas about my wedding? Maybe even have a say in the man I marry?” I snap back, ignoring the pain in my gut at hearing Shay’s and my name associated with kids.
    “That’s not how our people do this and you know that. This is the way you were raised, Arwyn Elizabeth.” She rolls her eyes to the ceiling and asks herself. “Where did I go wrong with her?”
    “Blame Disney. All those darn fairy tales made me believe in real love and happily ever after. What were they thinking? You may be able to sue them for messing up your daughter’s perception of love and marriage.” I say as I look at Dani and roll my eyes.
    “Don’t be smart.” Mom warns as she rolls her eyes back down to glare at me.
    “Or what? You’ll make me marry someone I don’t love? Too late, that’s already planned.”
    Grabbing her phone and purse, Mom stands. “I’m fed up with your ungrateful attitude, little girl. You can handle the cake by yourself. And when it turns into a mess, don’t come crying to me.” She turns on her heels and storms out of the bakery.
    Everyone in the room stares at her departing form, then back at me. I feel my face flush. The cake designer walks up with a forced smile. Great, now I have to deal with the fallout from Mom’s adult sized hissy fit. I let out a sigh and put on my own smile to reassure her. “Don’t worry about her. I know you do beautiful work.”
    “Umm…thanks.” She says