An (Almost) Perfect Love Story (Love Story Book Three) by Rachel Schurig Page A

it’s Mom.”
    I closed my eyes. Just when I was starting to have a good time. “Hello, Mom.”
    “Listen, sweetie, I know it’s late, but I just had the most wonderful idea. You remember Carla Washington, don’t you? From the Ladies Auxiliary?”
    “Um, I think so?”
    “You do, Ashley, her daughter went to school with you. Heidi? She was in marching band, remember? Anyhow, I just remembered that when Heidi got married, her mother hired the planning out to a very good little firm. They do a wonderful job, it was such a lovely wedding.”
    “Mother,” I said, a warning note in my voice. I had a feeling that I knew where she was going with this.
    “Just listen, Ashley. Planning a wedding is a huge amount of work. I know how busy you and Chris are. And these people can bring such a nice touch to it, you know? They have ideas we would never consider.”
    “I can’t afford a wedding planner, Mom.”
    “Your father will pay for it, dear,” she said, sounding unconcerned. Her tone made the rage come flashing back through me. So she could just spend his money, huh?
    “Just talk with them, darling, that’s all I’m saying. I’ve arranged for us to meet them for coffee next Thursday when you’re out of school. If you don’t like what they have to say, we’ll drop it.”
    “Fine,” I said through gritted teeth. I knew there was no point arguing with her. If I told her I didn’t want to do it, she would just keep bugging me until I agreed. It was what she always did, one of the many reasons that she always seemed to get her way. My mother was nothing if not tenacious.
    After she gave me the name of the firm, we said good night. I turned off my phone and leaned against the counter, wishing I hadn’t answered. The thought of sitting with my mother in front of these strangers and pretending that everything was happy in our family was not something I was looking forward to. I sighed again and walked back to the living room.
    “Who was that?” Emily asked, catching sight of my face.
    “My mother,” I said, plopping back down in my seat. I left my food where it was, my appetite subdued by my anger. “She wants to hire a wedding planner.”
    Ryan whistled. “Wow. That sounds pretty intense.”
    “You’re telling me,” I muttered. “I can hardly wait to tell Chris.”
    Emily winced. “Sorry, babe. Did you try to tell her no?”
    I glared at her. “Of course I did. But that doesn’t mean she listened to me. Now I have to go meet these people next Thursday.”
    “What firm is it?” Ryan asked. His company hosted a lot of swanky events that were handled out of house.
    “Some firm in Birmingham,” I muttered. “Ever After Events they’re called, or something like that.”
    “We’ve worked with them,” Ryan said. “They’re really good, Ash. You would like them.”
    “It doesn’t really matter,” I said, feeling frustrated that they weren’t getting it. “I don’t want her hiring a wedding planner. I don’t want her offering me my dad’s money. I don’t want…I don’t want her doing anything !”
    My voice had risen practically to a shout, the temper I’d been trying to quash for days suddenly breaking free. I took a deep breath and looked around at them, smiling sheepishly. They both looked worried. “Sorry,” I muttered.
    Ryan took my hand. “You don’t have to be sorry,” he said. “We know that you’re mad at her, Ash. You have every right to be.”
    I wiped at my eyes, feeling like I might start crying any minute. “I just wish…I don’t know. I just wish I could pretend she doesn’t exist for a little while, you know?”
    “You just need to take your mind off things,” he said knowingly. “I think boot camp will help—exercise always does. And Emily and I will start helping you with wedding stuff, without your mom. That should keep you occupied.”
    I smiled weakly. Maybe he had a point. Maybe the best thing to do would be to throw myself into this wedding full