Chapter 4

Piper stepped out from behind me and patted him on the shoulder.

"Means Bennett doesn't need to come."

"Go tell him the ceremony's done. Champagne's open. Someone's already wearing the ring. He can save himself the trip."

The two of them just stared. "What?"

I tugged Piper back before she could keep going.

"Mark. Derek. Thanks for today. We saved you seats—go grab something to eat."

That seemed to calm them down.

Mark recovered first, wiped his forehead, and forced a laugh.

"Oh—you mean the reception already started... no worries, no worries. We'll eat and wait for Bennett. He'll be here any minute."

He pulled Derek toward the ballroom. As they passed Elliot, Mark glanced at him.

Figured he was some relative's plus-one. Didn't ask. Just kept walking.

Piper turned to me. "Are they actually dumb, or just pretending?"

I didn't answer. My eyes were on Elliot.

"Let's go," I said.

Finally, there was movement at the entrance.

Bennett's laugh came through first.

"I told you it was an accident! You're still holding a grudge?"

Camilla's voice trailed after him, all drawn-out and syrupy.

"...Stop making excuses. You did it on purpose so I couldn't get married. And you're going to be responsible for me for the rest of your life."

Bennett's parents walked in behind them.

His mother was carrying a small gift bag, ribbon tied all loose and sloppy.

From the shape of it, there was probably a grocery-store bottle of champagne inside. Not even wrapped.

"Bennett, why are you so late?" his mother said.

"Your father and I figured we'd show up last, make an entrance—didn't think we'd be this late—"

She didn't even finish before Mark came charging out of the side hall.

"Bennett! Finally!"

He swallowed hard, face pale. "Lauren—"

Bennett paused mid-step.

"What? I didn't go pick her up, so she wouldn't come?"

"She... actually, she's here."

"Then she's pissed."

Mark's mouth moved. "Bennett—"

"She's like that." Bennett glanced at his watch.

"She'll get over it. Today was just—there was nothing I could do. Camilla got drunk last night and kept me up till three. I overslept."

Camilla cut in, all pouty:

"Excuse me? You're the one who ruined my wedding."

"I saw you couldn't get up this morning, so I found someone to pick her up for you. Saved Lauren from getting all worked up again."

"You should be thanking me."

Bennett reached over and gave the back of her head a light pat.

"Thank you? When you see Lauren, you can explain it to her yourself."

Camilla stuck out her tongue. "I don't get what she's even mad about. So dramatic."

Mark wiped his forehead again.

"Bennett, what I'm trying to say is Lauren—"

"Is she seriously throwing a fit today, of all days?"

Bennett's mother's voice cut in from behind, shutting him up.

"I'm going in there to see what she's making a scene about."

"Mom." Bennett stopped walking, his voice dropping half a notch.

"Give it a rest. She's my wife, not a prisoner."

"I don't care how you two usually are, but today? Watch it."

"She's sensitive. Don't embarrass her."

"You—" His mother choked on her words.

She looked at her son, saw he was serious, and let it go.

Camilla swooped in and hooked her arm through Mrs. Knight's, voice all sugar.

"Mrs. Knight, don't be upset. Lauren's just nervous—brides get like that. She'll be fine in a minute."

"Don't take it personally."

Mrs. Knight looked at her, her expression softening.

"You're so sweet. Not like that ungrateful—"

"Alright." Bennett headed for the ballroom. "Everyone's here. Let's go."

Mark followed behind him, face pale, mouth opening.

"Bennett—the ceremony already—"

But the door was already open.

The ballroom was empty.

Elliot's car turned onto the third intersection when I leaned against the passenger window and asked, out of nowhere:

"You got your license on you?"

His speed didn't drop, but his fingers tightened on the wheel for half a second. "Yeah. Why?"

"City Hall."