Page 96 of Runaway Bride’s Husband

Holden snorted. “You would’ve hated every second of it if this was your wedding.”

“Maybe, but we were supposed to have futures like that. Instead, we’re stuck on the outside with no way back in.”

Jane’s eyes narrowed. “Okay, that’s enough.”

“What?” I asked. “You know it’s true.”

“It’s not.” She motioned between the two of us. “I’ve worked too hard to make sure you guys all have a shot in life to watch you sit back and let go of the one thing you want, Ryan. So do something about it.”

“What do you want me to do? I can’t change this.”

“Yes, you can. Stop her from making the biggest mistake of her life. Get off your ass, go back to New York, and tell her how you feel. You are a fucking Thayer and that still means something. Because of us. Because of all of us. So stop feeling sorry for yourself and act like you deserve this, because you do.”

As I stared back at her and saw the determination blazing in her eyes, I knew she believed every word she was saying. She genuinely thought that being a Thayer was starting to mean something again and maybe it was, but it didn’t mean enough yet.

Or maybe I was just beyond seeing the silver lining. I didn’t really know, but ultimately, the only thing that mattered was that Maggie had made her choice. She’d been perfectly clear about that.

Jane, however, was right about one thing. I did have to stop being a sad sack and start making decisions for my own life, and in that moment, I knew exactly where to start. “I’m moving back to Chicago. Full-time.”

Alex, Jane, and Holden all stared at me like they would fall off their chairs if someone so much as waved a feather near them, but their shock didn’t change anything. I’d been debating this for a long time and Maggie had made me forget about it for a while, but the fact of the matter was that the Thayer name was being rebuilt here.

This was where I was needed and so Chicago was where I would be. It was where I would move on and eventually maybe even find a life of my own.

CHAPTER 42

MAGGIE

Two days before the wedding, Daniel and I pulled up to the venue for a final walkthrough with a very confused-looking Henry. As soon as we climbed out of the car, he made a beeline for me, bending his head closer to mine as he shook my hand.

“Where is Ryan?”

“He was just helping me plan the wedding,” I explained quietly. “This is Daniel. The groom.”

Henry seemed strangely disappointed but shook with Daniel, who was unsurprisingly taking it all in stride. “It’s lovely to meet you, Henry. I’ve been looking forward to seeing this place for myself and I must say, it doesn’t disappoint. Your estate is beautiful.”

“Thank you.”

At least that seemed to have won Daniel some points with Henry, who made an effort to show him around the grounds while I trailed after them with no idea whether I wanted to scream, cry, or ask if the castle had a moat I could drown myself in.

Being here without Ryan did not feel right but Daniel was so kind that he nearly drove me to tears as well. He didn’t object to the graveyard near the clearing where I wanted the ceremony to be held and he didn’t flinch when Henry mentioned cold smoke to give the whole thing a more mysterious vibe.

While I still didn’t want to marry him, I was beyond grateful that he cared enough to make this easy on me. Because of that, I stuck to his side for the tour and tried to keep the heartbreak off my face. Henry eventually left us alone to wander through the ballroom by ourselves while he went to find some paperwork, and Daniel pushed his hands into his pockets and looked around.

“This is a beautiful venue, Maggie.”

“Do you really think that?”

He smiled. “Yeah, I do. It’s great.”

“Agreed,” I said quietly. “I was so surprised when Ryan found it. I honestly didn’t think something like this existed in the States, much less within driving distance from the city.”

The words came out before I could stop them and Daniel glanced at me with a strangely knowing smile on his lips. “Ryan found it, huh? I should’ve guessed that.”

“I’m sorry.”

“No, don’t be.” He shrugged. “If this was what you wanted, I’m happy he found it for you. Honestly. I love it, but I would’ve been fine anywhere. You’re the bride. Your wishes are the priority.”

“To a certain extent.”