Soulmates // h.s.

Chapter One

FOUR YEARS LATER

“Did you look at the e-mails I sent you?”

Deep breaths. Deep breaths, Annelie. You knew what you were getting yourself into when you said yes.

 

“I haven’t gotten around to it yet, Pamela,” I said, reminding myself over and over again to sound peppy before I got chastised for sounding anything but excited.

“How many times do I have to tell you not to call me Pamela?” she asked. I could imagine her lounging at some country club waving her hands around dramatically, and rolling her eyes at her friends as if saying this girl is so outrageous. She didn’t make it a secret she thought her son was making a huge mistake in marrying me – lower class, college dropout, substantially plain and ordinary. She disregarded that I was thriving in my career, because any career in the arts wasn’t a ‘career’ in her book. “Anyways, Annelie,” she said. “There’s this gorgeous dress by Vera Wang and it is absolutely to die for.” Probably literal death. I’d hated every dress she’d suggested. They were all huge and frilly and over the top. I didn’t want to be shaped liked a damned pastry on my wedding day surrounded by enough ruffles to drown me.

“I’ll be sure to take a look at it,” I assured. And cringe in doing so. “I’ve got to go. My sister and I are at lunch.”

“How is she doing? Is her medication working?”

Deep breaths. Deep flipping breaths. I had to bite the inside of my cheek until I tasted blood in order not to snap at her. I wanted to skin Matthew after he told his conniving damned mother about my sister’s incident. It was a long time ago, and Pamela acted like it just happened yesterday.

Ally shot me a questioning look, one eyebrow arched as she reached across the table to take a sip of my martini. I swatted her hand away. I, myself, didn’t drink, but this was an exception. My stress levels had reached drastic marks the sooner my wedding date approached.

“She’s great, Pamela.”

“That’s good to hear,” she said. “Matthew is having brunch with me tomorrow and I’d love it if you came along.”

“That sounds great.” It didn’t. It sounded hellish.

“Wear something…nice,” she said. “Not those dingy old sundresses you have. Perhaps go out and buy something new? Matt will surely help you out if you need some money.”

Lovely. The money thing again. I had my own money. I may not have had money coming out of my ass like Matthew and Pam and the rest of their wealthy family, but I had enough money to support myself and buy myself a new dress if I wanted to. I just didn’t see the point because no matter what I wore, the evil mother-in-law to be would criticize it.

“I like the dresses I have.”

“It’s a nice place we’re going,” she said. “Look at those e-mails. I’ll talk to you later, okay, dear?” She made smooch sounds and I rolled my eyes. “And buy a new dress!”