Page 98 of How to Ruin a Wedding

“I think I’m happy?” Valerie echoes. “I am happy.”

“Then why are you here?”

Valerie hesitates. “Clarity.”

“And what clarity will you gain from one not of your heart?”

“What do you mean?”

“Perhaps,” I interrupt, “the universe could explain itself less cryptically.”

Taina raises a silencing finger, then clasps Valerie’s hand. “If your heart teeters, you must place it on the scales and see to which side it breaks.”

Valerie pulls back. “I can’t see Nick again. My family would kill me. I promised I’d never see him again.”

Taina doesn’t flinch. “Then why does he still visit your thoughts?”

Valerie wavers. I can see the answer forming, her eyes flicking toward the tablecloth like the answer might be embroidered into the hem.

“Valerie,” I ask gently, “why do you think you keep remembering him? Is there something John lacks that Nick didn’t?”

Her brows knit. I’ve hit something.

She groans, tossing her head back. “It’s my stupid brother. He got in my head. Don’t tell him I said that.”

“What did he say?”

“That John’s terrible with money. And to be careful with mine. I brushed it off, but now, I don’t know, it’s messing with my head.”

“And Nick wasn’t?”

She shakes her head. “He came from money, so it wasn’t even a factor. But he had his own issues.”

“What kind of issues?” I press, softly.

She hesitates, then gives a small shake of her head. “I don’t want to get into it. It doesn’t matter.”

Taina drums her palms against the table again. “The more you speak of him, the more the universe screams. The voices are loud.”

Valerie’s eyes widen slightly. Then narrow. “What voices?”

“They are yours,” Taina says calmly. “They just sound different when you try not to listen.”

Valerie flinches.

For a second, I think she’s going to settle down. Ask more questions. Stay in this a little longer. But then—

“No.” Valerie stands abruptly. “I can’t. I won’t see Nick again. I’m sorry. I have to go.”

“Valerie—” I call, but she’s already halfway across the garden.

Taina sighs, sagging in her seat like she’s winded. I slump into my chair and groan.

Taina grabs my hand and rubs my palm. “I see a great deal of back pain in your future.”

I yank it back. “Please break character.”

“I don’t know.” Taina wiggles her brows. “Think I found a new hobby.”