“My parents weren’t happy about June escorting you.”

“Did they actually say that?”

“They thought it was unusual.”

“Colin.”

He rubbed his forehead.

“I knew they’d ask questions. I didn’t want today to revolve around your previous marriage.”

I struggled to believe him.

“June isn’t my previous marriage. She’s my daughter.”

“I understand.”

“Do you?”

He stood.

“Why are you treating me like I’ve done something terrible? I’ve done everything possible for that child.”

“Her name is June.”

“I know her name!”

His voice rose unexpectedly.

Silence followed.

He lowered his voice.

“Look, I love June. But I love you too, and wanting one day focused on us shouldn’t be wrong.”

“My daughter walking beside me wouldn’t take anything away from our wedding.”

“Could you at least consider my perspective?”

I studied the man I intended to marry.

The man who’d once driven across town at ten at night to retrieve June’s forgotten science project from my mother’s house.

The man who’d promised he couldn’t wait to join our family.

Now he spoke about June as though she were an inconvenience he’d generously endured.

I asked another question.

“Why did you ask her not to tell me?”

Colin looked away.

“I didn’t want her worrying you.”

“You asked my daughter to hide something from me.”

“It wasn’t a serious secret.”

“You made her believe I’d have to choose between you.”

“I said you might overreact. And frankly, you’re proving my point.”

My pulse quickened.

Then he said something I’d remember long afterward.

“We need to start thinking like husband and wife Paige. Not like it’ll always be you and June against everyone.”

I stared.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing. Forget it.”

“No. Explain.”

He inhaled.

“I think marriage should give us room to build our own life.”

“We already have a life.”

“One where everything revolves around June.”

“She’s eleven.”

“And someday she won’t be. She’ll grow up, move away, and it’ll just be us.”

He spoke as though explaining an obvious fact.

As though my daughter were a temporary complication we merely needed to outgrow.

I asked, “Have you discussed any of this with her?”

His expression shifted.

“Discussed what?”

“Making more room for us.”

He remained silent.

I realized there was more.

“Colin.”

He checked the clock.

“Not now.”

“What else have you told June?”

He raised both hands.

“Can we get through today first? We’ll discuss family arrangements afterward.”

I stepped backward.

He’d been making decisions involving my child.

Without consulting me.

And now he expected me to marry him before learning what else he’d planned.

Chapter 4 — Don’t Cancel Because of Me

I left before saying something I might regret.

My wedding gown brushed the hallway wall as I walked.

I didn’t have a plan.

Only the painful certainty that I couldn’t stand at the altar promising to trust someone who’d admitted he didn’t want my daughter beside me.

When I reached the bridal suite, Renee stood near the entrance.

“Paige?”

“Where’s June?”

“She went for water.”

I turned.

June was approaching from the opposite end of the hallway.

She looked pale.

She stopped when she noticed me.

“Mom?”

I hurried over.

“Sweetheart, are you alright?”

She glanced toward Colin’s room.

“I heard you.”

My stomach sank.

“How much did you hear?”

She didn’t answer.

Instead, she grabbed my hand.

“Please don’t cancel the wedding.”

“June—”

“I’ll do whatever he wants.”

My chest tightened.

“Whoever wants?”

“Colin.”

Her voice trembled.

“I can sit in the back. Or Dad can take me home if that’s better.”

I crouched carefully, keeping my gown beneath me.

“Why would you go home with Dad?”

She wiped her nose.

“Because Colin said married people need time together.”

I stared.

“He told you that?”

She nodded.

“He said after you get married, I could stay with Dad more weekends. Then you and Colin would have more time alone.”

“Did he say I wanted that?”

“He said you might be afraid to ask.”

My heart sank.

My daughter had been carrying this worry for days.

Possibly longer.

And I’d known nothing.

“June, listen carefully. Nobody has discussed changing where you live or how often you visit Dad.”

“But Colin said—”

“Colin was mistaken.”

She looked worried.

“Please don’t be angry with him.”

I held her hands.

“Why?”

“Because he’ll be your husband.”

“That doesn’t give him permission to say things that upset you.”

Her lip trembled.

“He wasn’t trying to be unkind. He said it’s something grown-up families have to work out.”

I gently squeezed her hands.

“Would you like more time at Dad’s?”

“I love Dad.”

“I know.”

“But I don’t want you thinking I’m leaving because I don’t like Colin.”

“I’d never believe that.”

“Then why are you upset?”

How could I explain?

How could I help her understand that someone I’d trusted had been encouraging her to make herself less important?

Behind us, someone called Laurel’s name.

A door opened.

Guests chatted inside the chapel.

June suddenly wrapped her arms around my neck.

“Mom, please.”

Tears streamed down her cheeks.

“Don’t lose him because of me.”

I hugged her closely.

“Sweetheart, you’ve done absolutely nothing wrong.”

“But you were so happy.”

“I was.”

“And you said we’d become a family of three.”

I leaned back and gently wiped her cheeks.

“June, look at me.”

She did.

“You and I are already a family. We’ve always been one.”

She nodded.

“And getting married will never change that.”

She glanced toward the chapel.

“Are you still marrying him?”

I hesitated.

Not because I was uncertain.

But because I finally understood how much damage I might cause by continuing with the wedding.

I stood.

Renee had joined us.

She watched silently.

I faced her.

“Could you bring June’s lavender dress?”

Renee nodded.

“And please find Laurel.”

“Of course.”

June looked puzzled.

“Why?”

“Because there’s something I need to change.”

“Did you change your mind about me walking with you?”

I crouched again.

“No, sweetheart.”

“Then what?”

I reached for her hand.