After my grand speech in the hospital room all those years ago, Molly told Reed instantly that he’d made the right decision, butit took some time for her to actually forgive me for shattering her heart when it was already so close to breaking.
And I completely understood her feelings.
My timing could have been better, but I will never regret what I said. It was the push she needed to finally look into therapy, and after a few months, she took the biggest step of her life, distancing herself from Reed’s asshole brother.
The subsequent weight that lifted from Reed’s shoulders is something I will always cherish.
He’s still my golden boy, and he’s still the first to take on other people's problems and offer to help. But he’s significantly lighter and more open to sharing the load than ever before.
He’s even spoken to Bria about it. The two of them will never share a friendship like they once did, but we catch up occasionally. I say “we” because Reed always drags me along, even though I trust him completely.
Reed’s mom pouts, brushing him off. “I know that,Reed. But I’m excited the two of you are making it official.”
“Me too. And I’m excited to go dress shopping. Will you come with me?”
Reed shakes his head violently and raises his hands in the air. “Been there, done that. I’m out.”
“I wasn’t talking to you, jackass.” I grab his hands and pull him into me. “You’re not allowed to see the dress until the day.”
“Is that so?” He curls his arm around my waist and smirks. “I never took you for one to follow traditions.”
“Reedy boy, I’m always going to keep you guessing.”
“That you are.” He presses a kiss to my head before a sniff silences our teasing, both of us spinning to find Reed’s mom in tears.
“Shit, Mom. What happened?”
“You want me to go dress shopping with you?” she asks and a smile tugs at my lips, my heart jolting.
“Of course I do. I’m going to need your help witheverything. If you want to.”
“What about your mom?”
“My mum? My parents are flying over for the wedding, but not before. They said they’d take the opportunity to travel around the US after our nuptials. And yep, that’s exactly how she said it. Nuptials.” I shake my head but continue. “My dad can only take so much time off work.”
Reed frowns but I wave off his concern. For a while I was sad to be missing out on time with my parents, but now I have Reed, and soon, we’ll have our own family.
“So what do you say, Mom?” I try really hard to say Mom instead of Mum, and while Reed chuckles when I butcher the simple pronunciation, his mom cries.
“Yes, Hayley. You just made me the happiest mother on earth. I’d love to. I’d bloody love it.”
I burst out laughing as Reed’s chuckle turns to a groan. “Not you too, Mom?”
“Yes!” I fist pump in happiness. “I’ll turn you all into Aussies before I’m through.”
“You’ll never get Dad.” Reed folds his arms over his chest and raises his brows in defiance.
“Oh, yeah?”
“Yep.”
Reed’s dad chooses that moment to walk past the kitchen and I call out. “Don, what are you making for dinner tonight?” I ask, already knowing the answer.
“I’m cooking a barbie, Hayls. You know that.”
“Right. I forgot. Thank you.”
He keeps walking and I turn back to Reed, punctuating my words with a satisfied smirk. “You were saying?”
