Page 37 of Neon Vows

“Don’t panic,” I said when I heard the front door close and lock before heels clicked down the hall in my direction.

“Jesus, Layna!” my cousin gasped.

Willa had medium-brown hair that she had highlighted nearly to blonde, tan skin, and brilliant blue eyes. She was dressed as she always was in tapered slacks, a silk blouse, blazer, and heels.

“You should be used to me letting myself in by now.”

“I should be. And yet…” she said, giving me a look. “Why didn’t I get a notification on my security system app?”

“I downloaded the app last time I was here, remember? I disabled it so it didn’t bother you.”

“Why would—” she started. But she trailed off when her gaze dropped to my hand, her blue eyes widening. “Why do you have a wedding ring?”

“Yeah. About that…”

“You got married? When? To whom?”

“Last night, apparently.”

“Apparent—oh,” Willa said, wincing. “Vegas.”

“Yeah, Vegas. Used to be my favorite place. I never thought I could hate it this much. Though not as much as I hate tequila.”

“Oh, God. Tequila? You know how tequila hits you.”

“Yeah, I think it’s safe to say I’m never touching that stuff again.”

“Were you in Vegas with someone? I didn’t know you were seeing anyone.”

“I wasn’t. I’m not.”

Willa watched me for a long moment, then turned away and started to make us each a latte.

If there was anyone else in my extended family who reached for caffeine for comfort, it was Willa.

Only when we each had a sweet mocha latte steaming in front of us did she give me a nod and say, “Okay. So. You married a stranger.”

“Sort of. I mean, we played one game of poker together and, well…”

“Oh,well,” she repeated. “Were you sober for that part, at least?”

“Completely.”

“And?”

“It’s probably the only part of the whole night I don’t regret.”

“Okay. So, you hook up with a hot stranger. I’m assuming he’s hot?”

“Incredibly.”

“And then you…”

“I remember having a drink. The rest is just flashes. Though Harrison insists that I didn’t get wasted untilafterthe ceremony. I hate to admit that the footage from the chapel does seem to back that up. But I just can’t for the life of me figure out what would make me decide that marrying someone I just met was a good idea.”

“Oh, don’t be jaded. Maybe you really did catch feelings. It’s not like you haven’t seen it dozens of times with our family.”

She wasn’t wrong.