Run, Girl (If You Can)

Because Aaron was still working when Keeley got out of class at 2 PM, he got his driver to pick her up and take her home every day. She had nearly forgotten he even had one since he so rarely utilized his services.

One day about a week before her wedding, she was waiting at the edge of the parking lot when someone grabbed her arm from behind.

"What—" the words flew right out of her mouth when she saw who it was.

Ryan. What was he doing here? Shouldn't he be at work?

"You quit your job," he said flatly. "Is that man paying your bills? Are you nothing more than a sugar baby?"

Her eyes hardened. She hadn't spoken to him in over a month. Her life wasn't his business anymore.

"I don't see how that is any of your concern."

"Can't you see he's using you? He probably has all sorts of women on the side. I'm amazed he even let you keep the child. Who hasn't heard of the Hales in this city? They'll never accept you. Back out while you still have the chance."

Who told him she was pregnant? Oh, that didn't matter now. What mattered was that for a relatively calm and level-headed person Ryan had a frightening look in his eye. This wasn't normal for him at all.

"You aren't a part of my life anymore, Ryan," Keeley said firmly. "I don't know what you've heard but I don't care. Even if it were all true it still wouldn't be your business."

"How is it not my business when one of the people I care about most is ruining her life?" he snarled. "You're a PhD student, show some brains!"

Her temper flared up. He had no right to be saying any of this to her, let alone be following her around. Plus his grip on her arm was getting painfully tight.

"Let go of me, or I swear I'll—"

"You'll what? Your sugar daddy isn't here right now."

A suave voice appeared to their right. "I believe the lady asked you to let her go."

They both looked up and saw a very tall, very handsome man who seemed vaguely familiar to Keeley. He was smiling pleasantly but his eyes meant business. He was willing to throw down with Ryan if he didn't back off.

But why? She was positive she hadn't met him before.

"Who are you?" Ryan asked rudely. "We're talking here."

"I believe she was done talking," the man said with a dazzling smile. "Let go or I'll make you." The words were threatening but he said them in such a charming tone that it was a bit jarring.

"This isn't over," he concluded before releasing her arm and hurrying away. He called over his shoulder "You can't marry that guy! It will ruin you!"

Keeley sighed heavily before pasting a smile on her face to thank her rescuer. "Thanks for helping me out back there."

"I'm always happy to help a damsel in distress. If you don't mind my asking, was that an ex-boyfriend of yours causing trouble?"

She snorted. "Oh please. Until about a month ago I thought we were friends but apparently he only wanted to date me. I put an end to that real fast. I'm taken."

She hadn't been at the time but it was easier to explain it that way.

The man noticed the sparkle of the ring on her left hand. "Congratulations! When's the big day?"

"Next Saturday," Keeley admitted. "I'm actually on my way to a wedding dress fitting right now. I'm just waiting to be picked up."

Aaron's car pulled up and the driver rolled down the window so she could see him.

"That's my ride right now. Thanks again for your help! Uh…what was your name? Mine's Keeley."

"Gray." He held his hand out to shake hers. "It was very nice to meet you, Keeley. Good luck with everything."

She thanked him one more time and hopped into the backseat. The driver rolled the window up as they left the parking lot.

"Who was that, Miss?"

"No idea. I was in a bit of a tight spot before you showed up and that guy helped me out of nowhere," she said with a shrug.

The man who called himself Gray was completely out of mind by the time she made it to the bridal salon.

Her wedding dress was simple and cost less than a thousand dollars. It was an A-line gown with a sweetheart neckline. The only embellishment was a beaded belt. She didn't bother having a veil because it seemed unnecessary.

Keeley had bought it a few weeks earlier but they had to take time to adjust it to fit her better. If all went well, she would be taking it home with her today.

She turned back and forth in front of the mirror, admiring herself. A pang hit her. Her mother should be here doing this with her.

The same sorrow had been present as she prepared for her first wedding. It was a bit different then though because she was a bit indignant, thinking about how her mother wouldn't have let Roslyn walk all over her. No one was walking over her now.

She couldn't help but wonder what arrangements Aaron had come up with for the flowers and cake. Before she bought her shoes, she should text him and ask about colors.

'What color is my bouquet going to be?'

He responded instantly. 'Purple. I know it's your favorite'

She should have known. But he needed to be a bit more specific. 'Which shade of purple?'

'Not sure. See for yourself' A picture popped up right after of a bouquet consisting of light purple roses, some white flowers she didn't know the name of, and deeper purple pansies.

Finding shoes the color of the pansies shouldn't be too hard. She asked the attendant to help her wrap up the dress and went to examine the shoe section while she waited. They had shoes in every color under the sun here for this exact purpose.

A pair of open toed heels was the right shade so Keeley tried them on to see how they felt. Not too bad. She could handle walking around in these for an hour or two. She brought those to the checkout and the driver helped her bring everything back to the car afterwards.

This was getting very real.