Chapter 3

The way Hugh spoke to Mom finally made me lose my temper. I snatched the phone out of his hand and hung up.

"What are you yelling at my mom for? Show her some respect. She only called to ask what was taking so long. What's wrong with that?"

Hugh looked just as angry. "She still had no right to talk about Zoey like that!"

"Was she wrong? If you hadn't insisted on bringing Zoey here, we would've been married by now!"

I was too angry to keep arguing, so I laid it out for him. "I'm getting married this morning. If you hold us up again, we're done."

Hugh stared at me, completely thrown. Then he let out a disbelieving laugh.

"You're threatening to break up with me over this? It's just paperwork. If we can't do it this morning, we'll do it this afternoon. If not today, then another day. Do you really have to make a scene like some crazy woman?"

That was when Zoey stepped in to play peacemaker, only making things worse.

She grabbed Hugh by the arm. "Hugh, don't say that. Lynette's just angry. She doesn't really mean it. She came all the way to city hall with you. You really think she'd break up with you now?

"Stop fighting. This is all my fault. I'm the one who upset Mrs. Gearhart. Come on, sit down and cool off for a minute."

Hugh scoffed and sat back down.

I was done arguing. I gripped the ticket so tightly my knuckles turned white.

The lobby was busy, with couples everywhere smiling and chatting happily. Only our corner was dead silent. The quiet barely lasted a few minutes before Zoey started up again.

She nudged Hugh with her elbow. "Hugh, it's almost noon, and I'm getting hungry. There's this really good pizzeria nearby. Why don't we grab something to eat first?"

Hugh hesitated, then reached for my hand somewhat awkwardly. "Want to come?"

I pulled away sharply. "I'm not hungry. And didn't we agree we'd go to my mom's for lunch after we got married? She's already reheated the food twice."

Zoey immediately jumped in, trying to sound reasonable. "Lynette, Hugh just got into an argument with your mom. It'd be awkward for him to go eat at her place right now.

"You have to think about how he feels too. Besides, it's too late to make it back there for lunch anyway. We might as well eat somewhere nearby."

I stayed in my seat. "This is the last batch of tickets they're giving out this morning. If we don't get married now, we'll have to come back another day."

Hugh sighed. "Why can't we just do it this afternoon? We can come back after lunch."

"We have a wedding dress appointment this afternoon. Tomorrow we have our wedding photo shoot, and the day after that we have a menu tasting for the reception.

"There's already so much to do for the wedding. Where are we supposed to find another day to come back here?"

Hugh had nothing to say to that. He was just about to give in and sit back down when Zoey linked her arm through his and pulled him to his feet again.

"No matter how busy things are, Hugh still has to eat. How about this? Lynette, you stay here and wait while Hugh and I grab something nearby. Just text us half an hour before our number comes up. We'll have plenty of time to get back."

Hugh nodded, seeming to think it was a reasonable idea. "Would that work?"

I shook my head. "No. If she's hungry, she can go eat by herself. Why do you have to go with her?"

Zoey smiled again. "Hugh's probably hungry too. Lynette, come on. You're getting married today. This is supposed to be a happy day. Why the long face?"

When Hugh realized I wasn't going to budge, he lost his temper too. He grabbed Zoey by the hand and headed for the door.

"Whether you like it or not, I'm going to eat. What, I'm not allowed to eat now? Just text me before our number comes up. Zoey, let's go!"