Chapter 1

After bringing my parents home and getting them settled, I finally got a call from Grayson Miller.

He opened with an accusation, his voice sharp. "We got to the restaurant. Why is the private room empty? Your parents don't give a damn about our wedding, do they? I can't believe they'd show up late!"

I paused for a second, then answered quietly, "Grayson, my parents waited with me for three hours. You never showed. It's not that we're not taking this seriously—it's that you and your family never took my parents seriously."

There was a beat of silence on his end. When he spoke again, his tone had softened.

"Hazel got into grad school with full funding. Her parents came from out of town to celebrate. They don't know anyone here, and Hazel's just a student—she couldn't handle it alone. So I went to the station to pick them up. You know my family has sponsored Hazel for thirteen years. I've always thought of her as a little sister. I couldn't just ignore her parents."

Grayson rarely bothered to explain himself. But instead of feeling better, I only felt worse.

When my own parents arrived yesterday, I'd been stuck in an all-hands meeting at work. I had no choice but to call Grayson and ask him to pick them up.

Do you know what he said? He said, "They're adults, not kids. They can take a cab. It's not like they're gonna get lost."

I tried to explain patiently. "My parents haven't traveled much. They don't know how to use ride-share apps. I even bought their train tickets for them. The station is barely fifteen minutes from our place. Couldn't you just drive over and—"

He cut me off, annoyed. "I'm exhausted after work every day. I don't need you ordering me around the minute I get home. Your parents, your problem. I'm not doing it."

Then came the dial tone. He'd hung up.

In the end, I called a friend. She didn't hesitate for a second—she drove straight over to pick them up. The man I was about to marry turned out to be less reliable than a friend.

The thought struck me as ridiculous. I laughed out loud.

On the other end of the line, Grayson's voice relaxed completely. "See? You laughed. That means we're done with this. Mia, no more sulking like this. You know our families are in different leagues. My parents weren't exactly on board with us to begin with. I'll pick a new date. This time, your parents can apologize to mine, and we'll move forward with the wedding."

His tone was condescending. The words came out like he was owed something.

I gripped my phone and said, "Forget it. My parents are leaving soon."

Grayson paused for a beat, then said smoothly, "Fine. It's not like they'd have much to add anyway. The wedding's going to be exactly the way my parents want it."

Then, through the line, I heard a sugary voice call out, "Grayson! My parents already ordered. Thanks for treating us to such an expensive meal. Come eat with us!"

And just like always, the line went dead. He'd hung up again.

In the living room, my mom walked over hesitantly and took my hand. Her face was gentle.

"Honey, don't say things you'll regret just because you're upset on our behalf. We don't matter. As long as Grayson treats you well, that's enough. We'll come to the wedding, then leave right after. We won't be a burden."

My throat tightened. I turned and hugged her arm. "Mom, my company just opened a new branch back in our hometown. I've already put in my transfer request. Three days from now, I'm coming home with you."

My mom couldn't hide her joy. Her voice lifted. "Really?"

I smiled and nodded. "Really."

My parents went right back to packing—all the things they'd brought for me to use after the wedding. Now, everything was going right back with them.

Grayson got home after midnight. Half-asleep, I felt his arms wrap around me from behind.

"Babe," he murmured. "How come you didn't wait up for me tonight?"