To Love Thy Enemy (An Arranged Marriage Series Book One)

Part Twenty Two

“Thank god, that’s over. I thought we were never going to get out of there.”

“Yeah, they could just go on and on for hours.”

*Flashback*

When we arrived at my parent’s house, it was like walking into the death zone. We were hauled into the living room and forced to sit with the parents staring us down. We went over something’s together and separately. The together part wasn’t that bad then we had dinner. My mother and Frankie’s mom just babbled on and on about this, that and the other thing. I really honestly don’t know if it was wedding related or not. After dinner was over, Frankie was pulled away into another room and I was forced back into the living room. This time was used to discuss everything for the bride’s side of the party. I did get some weird looks when I said I wasn’t sure about my bridesmaids yet but that I would have an answer for them by Monday, they seemed pleased. Finally, after what seemed like endless hours of torture, we were dismissed.

*End flashback*

“Oh by the way, my dad is taking me out for an hour or so tomorrow before everyone comes over. I will be back before they get home.”

I just nodded my head. I knew that Frankie sounded uncomfortable with it but right now I wasn’t going to push it. Instead, I asked a question I had been pondering.

“Would it bug you if I had a bride’s man?”

“Well I don’t see why it would. Why who are you thinking?”

“I was thinking of asking Will. He would come to the wedding anyway for Mitch. I like him, he seems cool. What do you think?”

“Well if that is what you want, then that’s fine with me. Yeah, I think he is cool too. I know he makes Mitch happy but I don’t think they are a couple yet. Oh I think they will be by then.”

He just nodded as we pulled into the parking lot of the apartment complex.

“Oh I don’t know if I told you or not but I got a threatening note from Amy today.”

“Not again. What did she say?”

“Oh that I need to leave you before I suffer the serious consequences.”

“Oh geez, that is a load of bull and you know it.”

“Actually I was thinking I should heed her advice, since she is in love with you and all. I wouldn’t want to place myself in any danger.”

He looked at me shocked and hurt. He honestly looked like he was going to cry.

“Oh I’m just kidding. It was a joke. I love you, you know that.”

He smiled and pulled me into a hug.

“You really had me going there for a minute. Well we should head to bed if we are going to be ready for the zoo to come tomorrow.”

*Next AM*

Frankie POV

I had gotten up about 10 or so. I needed some time to think about what kind of ring I was going to get Ellie today. My father had suggested yesterday that it was time I get her one. I couldn’t agree more but Ellie was a hard person to shop for. My phone vibrating brought me out of my daze.

“Hello?”

“Hi, are you ready to go shopping?” my father asked.

“Yes, I am ready. When will you be here?”

“Oh, I will be there in five minutes. Be ready.”

With that he hung up. I slipped on my shoes and went downstairs to wait. After about thirty seconds, he pulled into the parking lot. I got into the car and off we were.

“Where are you thinking of looking?” my father asked.

“Well, the mall has some good jewelry stores, so why don’t we start there.”

He just nodded and off we were. Ten minutes later, we pulled into the parking lot of the mall. I kind of had an idea of what I wanted but if the stores didn’t have it, I wanted it to be made.

“Oh hey dad, just as a heads up, if they don’t have the ring I’m looking for I’m going to have it designed.”

He just nodded and we were in the first jewelry store. I browsed and saw nothing of interest until the last case. There it was staring at me. Calling my name.

“I found it. I found the one I want.”

*FF 6 hours*

“All right Dusty, truth or dare?”

Yeah, yeah I know this is such a childish game but we were getting bored when Ellie and Torie come running in like hyper children yelling truth or dare.

“Umm, let’s go truth this time.”

Hmm I have been waiting for him to say that. I knew exactly what I wanted to ask and I think Ellie did too.

“Okay, is it true that you are in love with…someone in this room?”

He looked shocked that I had even asked him that question. He was just staring at me while everyone else was staring at him, waiting for him to answer. Even though Ellie and I knew the answer to be yes, I just wanted to hear him admit it.

“Uhh, I, umm yes,” he muttered.

“Well, I dare you to tell that person.”

Now it was everyone’ turn to stare at me, they were looking at me like I was a crazy person. Ellie on the other hand was smiling at me; she knew exactly what I was up too.

Dusty POV

“Okay, is it true that you are in love with…someone in this room?”

I was shocked that he would even ask me a question like that. He knew the answer but he wanted me to tell everyone. I was sooooooo sure that she didn’t feel the same way. I didn’t want to be heartbroken but that’s what it seemed like would happen.

“Uhh, I, umm yes,” I muttered.

“Well, I dare you to tell that person.”

What? Is he crazy? He is really trying to drive me to a bottomless heartbroken pit? Fine, you know what, it is now or never. I will just get it over with and suffer the consequences later. So I crawled over to Torie since she sat next to Ellie. I took her hands in mine, looked her straight in the eyes, and said….

“Torie James, I am madly in love with you.”

She just stared at me, and then looked to Ellie, than back to me. She pulled me closer to her and whispered that she loved me too. I pulled her into a huge hug and maneuvered my way to sitting behind her with my arms around her waist. The rest of the night was spent playing video games, watching movies, and all of us crashing in the living room.