Page 14 of Rescuing Mary

“So you’ll get married?”

“Yes—on one condition.”

Mary rolled her eyes and wiped her face. “What?”

“You and Truck renew your vows with us.”

Mary froze, and the yearning that struck was almost painful. “I’m not sure—”

“That pact we made was bullshit. We both know it. I mean, there’s no way I would’ve put off marrying Ghost if you didn’t have a man in your life. But you do…Truck. I see the way you look at him when he isn’t watching, and how he looks at you. I thought if I held off long enough, you’d see what was right in front of your face and we could have our double wedding ceremony.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about my marriage.”

Rayne waved her hand in the air in dismissal. “I don’t care about that. I’m glad you did it. It saved your life, so I can’t be pissed about it. But…now that you are married, you can renew your vows with me and Ghost. You’ve got nothing to argue against. It’ll be just like we planned all those years ago.”

“Things between me and Truck aren’t exactly husband and wifey.”

“Husband and wifey?” Casey asked.

Mary nodded. “Yeah. I mean…we aren’t…”

“Oh, shit, you haven’t slept with him?” Rayne asked in shock.

“Well, we’ve slept, but that’s it.”

“Holy shit,” Emily breathed. “I can’t believe it. Truck looks at you with such lust, we all thought for sure you were doing the nasty.”

Mary winced. “Yeah, well, it wasn’t as if we could get it on when I was sick. And now things are just…weird.”

“Do you want him?” Rayne asked. Then added, “And don’t lie.”

Mary nodded.

“Do you love him?” she pressed.

“I don’t know, Raynie. I don’t know that I know what love is.”

“Bullshit. You love me.”

“That’s different.”

“It’s not. Look. I get it. From the first time we met, we agreed that men suck. But even back then I knew that for you, it wasn’t just something you were saying because you’d just had a breakup. You truly believed it. Your bitch of a mom planted that seed when you were nothing but a kid. But Truck is not those guys from your past. He’s not one of your childhood uncles. I think he’s more than proved he’s with you because he loves you and not because he wants something from you.”

“I know.”

“Then what’s holding you back?”

Mary bit her lip then looked at her best friend. “I’m scared to let him see me. You know…without…” She gestured to her chest. “But it’s not just that. I mean, I know he has his own scars and if anyone would understand, it’d be him. The last time I told a guy that I loved him, he dumped me the next day. I’m scared to death that if I say it again, the same thing will happen.”

“You’re selling Truck short, and that’s not fair to him,” Rayne said with conviction. “I get it. It’s scary to open yourself up, both physically and emotionally. But Truck is not that guy. If you told him you loved him, I have a feeling it would change both your lives. For the good. Give him a chance, Mare.”

“I’ll try.”

“Ooh…” Emily moaned from nearby, and both Mary’s and Rayne’s heads turned to stare at the pregnant woman.

“What? What is it?” Rayne asked urgently.

“I’m not sure,” Emily said, the concern easy to hear in her voice.