Arryn replayed the scene at the grocery store over and over in her head. Gianna's look of anger was so real. Then there was the remark Rhys made in the car about Gia being an idiot. What did he mean? A generalization—or that Gianna was a dimwit for letting Arryn get away? No, he couldn't have meant that. A lying woman wasn't worth keeping—unless you needed her for something.

She fidgeted in her seat, adjusted the seat belt, and tried to stop her leg from jumping. She glanced over at Rhys, his hands gripped firmly on the steering wheel. If he was nervous about meeting her parents, he didn't show it. It made perfect sense. He didn't plan to be in the family long enough for it to matter if they liked him or not.

She occupied her mind by studying the passing scenery. Early November in Georgia was beautiful. Plum and sweet gum trees sported deep red, gold, and orange leaves, rustling in the breeze like layers of a colorful skirt. If he wanted to talk or not, she needed to fill him in. "There are some things you need to know before you meet my parents."

"What?"

"They divorced when I was sixteen, but still love each other. Neither remarried."

He glanced at her, then put his eyes back on the road. "I don't get it. If they're in love, why not stay together?"

"My mother is difficult."

"You don't get along with her, right?"

"Let's just say our personalities clash."

"Oh, so she's not deceitful?"

Arryn didn't respond. Better to let him condemn her if that's what made him happy. She moved on. "She'll love you. Until she finds out the truth, you'll be the one thing I've done right in my life."

He turned to look at her again, this time holding her gaze longer. For a moment, something flashed in his eyes. It was in those seconds, the real Rhys surfaced. He was still in there, buried under the anger and hurt. If she could hold out long enough, maybe good Rhys would win out over bitter Rhys.

He swung the car into the drive and again came to open the door for his bride. They strode across the lawn, the cool breeze gusting leaves along the ground. Funny how the temperature outside was warmer than inside the car. But a cold heart could freeze everything around it, and she felt the chill.

"Hi Mom!" Arryn shouted as she came through the door. Her mother hurried down the hall. "You're early. I didn't expect you for at least another hour." She hugged her daughter and whispered, "Damn, he's fine," then turned to Rhys. "I'm Leslie. It's so nice to meet you. Please come sit."

"Nice to meet you, too."

She cut her eyes at Arryn. "I'm just so happy she brought you. I wasn't sure she would. She's been so secretive. So tell me about yourself."

He offered his future mother-in-law his best smile. The one that melted Arryn's heart. "Okay. Full name, Emrys Cooper Wakefield, but I go by Rhys. I'm thirty-five. Head of marketing at Rolland Media. Have a twin sister, Accalia, and older brother, Brando."

"Have you ever been married?"

"No. Never fell in love—until Arryn." He reached for her hand, brought it to his lips, and kissed it.

She drew a shallow breath. Damn, he's good. Mom will love him.

"Rolland? Do you work with Darcy? Is that how you and Arryn met?"

"As a matter of fact, it is."

Mom sighed, and the tension went out of her shoulders. "Oh, Thank God. When Arryn told me she was pregnant but wouldn't say who the father was, I thought she got knocked up by a married man."

Rhys chuckled. "Well, come Saturday, she will, because we're getting married."

"Are you serious?" She pressed her hand to her chest. "Oh my goodness, that is wonderful news! Arryn, why didn't you tell me?"

Arryn started to speak, but Rhys kept the conversation going.

"I just asked her two days ago, and we see no reason to wait, so the ceremony is at my house," he paused, laying on the charm. "Well, I should say our house since she'll be moving in with me."

Mom looked at her with tears in her eyes. "Oh honey, you are so lucky to have found him."

He kissed Arryn's hand again. "I'm the lucky one. I keep trying to find something about her that isn't perfect, but for the life of me, I can't."

"Well, two days doesn't give me much time. I've got to buy a dress." She stopped and studied her daughter for a moment. "I know you don't believe in the whole giving-away thing, but I suppose you'll let your father walk you down the aisle."

She nodded. "Yes. Will that bother you?"

"Absolutely not. I look forward to seeing him. Won't y'all stay for lunch? I can make some sandwiches."

"Some other time," Arryn said.

"We'd love to," Rhys said and smiled at Arryn. "Don't you think we have time, honey? We'll still be able to work in a visit to tell your dad."

"Oh, so you told me first?" She went to her daughter and embraced her. "Thank you. You've made me so happy. If there is anything I can do to help with the wedding, let me know."

Arryn froze in place. She couldn't remember the last time her mother had given her more than a slight pat and air kiss. "Rhys' sister has taken charge, and she's handling everything. All you have to do is show up."

"Well, I'll do that. Your wedding will be the highlight of my life. Now, I have ham and cheese, or I can make some peanut butter and jelly."

"Ham will be great, Mrs. Rivera."

She flapped her hand. "Oh, please call me Leslie or Mimi, that's what I want my grandbaby to call me."

Arryn jerked her head around to face her mother. "You've already decided on a name?"

"I've had it picked out for years. I've just been waiting for you." She practically skipped to the pantry and took out the loaf of bread and chips, then spoke over her shoulder. "Would you mind getting the things from the fridge?"

Arryn bit her bottom lip and choked back tears. She'd not seen her mother this happy in a decade.

Once she finished the sandwiches, they sat at the table, and Mom eyed Rhys. He glanced at her.

"Oh, I'm sorry for staring. I'm trying to picture how the baby might look. If it gets Arryn's dark hair and your peculiar eyes..." her voice trailed off, and she pressed her hand to her chest again. "My grandchild will be as beautiful as Arryn was. When she was born, I'd never seen a more gorgeous infant. She had a head of black hair, and eyes like coal."

Arryn pressed her fists to her eyes to stay any errant tears. She'd never seen her mother more excited or emotional, and everything in the world was making Arryn weepy. "You never told me you thought I was a beautiful baby."

"I'm sure I did."

"No. You didn't. Ever."

Rhys took Arryn's hand and held it. "The sandwiches were delicious, Mimi. Thanks for fixing them."

"I wish I'd had more notice of your visit so I could have made a dessert. I'm sure you know what a good cook Arryn is, and she gets that from me."

He nodded. If marketing didn't work out for him, he definitely had a future in Hollywood.

"Next time, we'll give you plenty of warning. But right now, we need to get going. It's been a pleasure, and we'll see you on Saturday." He pulled a folded paper from his pocket. "Here's our address. It's isolated, but you won't have a problem finding it."

As they drove away, Arryn focused on the rearview and watched her mother wave until they were out of sight.

"Who was that woman, and what has she done with my mother?"

"She isn't so bad."

Arryn flapped her hand. "I have no idea who that was."

He laughed, and Arryn loved its sound, but he quickly got control and straightened his face into the hard-line he'd had since showing up on Halloween. It was almost as if he had a split personality. One minute, he'd kiss her hand and profess undying love, and the next, make hateful remarks or give the silent treatment. "Anyway, thanks for taking charge back there."

"No problem."

"I should warn you about my Abuelo. He can be a little gruff, but it's his normal demeanor. Oh, and he likes to share the condition of his bowels."

Rhys laughed again, and for a second, his mood lightened, but then came back with another stiff answer. "I'm sure I can handle it."

"Papi recently finished chemo, so he's frail, but he's getting his strength back."

Rhys glanced at her again and pulled his brows together. "What kind of cancer?"

"Melanoma."

She expected him to make another snide remark, but he didn't.

She turned to stare out the window again and thought of Dad's happiness. She admitted, forced marriage or not, having him walk her down the aisle would make a childhood dream come true. For the last two years, his illness threatened that he might never see her married, or have a grandchild, and now both would be a reality. Regardless of her situation, she was thankful for that.

She'd imagined being married a hundred times as a kid, but somehow had never put much thought into the actual wedding.

When they turned into the drive, Abuelito came from the side of the house and stopped to watch them. As if someone yelled, lights, camera, action, Rhys slipped into character and ran his hand around Arryn's shoulders. Even if it was an act, she liked the feel of it, warm and secure against her. For months, she'd fantasized about his touch and how it had affected her more than any other man she'd been with in the past.

Rhys stepped back, and Abuelito greeted her with a hug. "How's my girl?"

Miserable. Sad. Evil. "I'm fine. You?"

"I got the damn piles. Can't sit without using that blow-up donut." Then he leaned away and took stock of Rhys. "So you're the daddy?"

"Yes sir. Rhys Wakefield." He offered his hand, and Abuelito shook it.

"You love my girl?"

"Abuelito! Don't interrogate him. You'll scare him off."

"Love's overrated anyway," Papi said, coming to join them. "I'm more interested that you'll be good to her."

Arryn fell into his arms, and tears spilled from her eyes.

"What's wrong, Rynnie? Don't cry."

Abuelito moved closer and pointed his finger at Rhys. "What's going on? I may be old, but if I find out you've hurt her, I'll skin your hide and hang you out to dry, pendejo."

Arryn pulled away and wiped her eyes on the sleeve of her sweater. "It's not him. It's me. I'm emotional and hate myself for being this way."

Abuelito handed her a tissue, and she blotted her cheeks.

"Let's sit on the porch," she said.

Once seated, Rhys focused on the two men. "I know I'm going about this backward, but I'm here to let you know I intend to marry your daughter and raise our child."

Arryn's breath hitched. She was glad he didn't ask permission or some antiquated nonsense like that, just announce it the same as he did with her mother. 

She wanted to get past the crying jags, but emotions lodged in her chest until it got so full, she had to release them or choke to death. She should try breathing exercises because since Rhys showed up on her doorstep, she'd had a ringing in her ears and was sure it wasn't wedding bells. Because of that, she heard none of the conversations between the men, but from Rhys' expression, he'd gotten their blessing, whether or not he asked for it.

"Saturday? That's quick all right, but like he said, no need to wait. I'll have to get my suit out and see if it's still decent enough to walk my best girl down the aisle."

Arryn offered a weak smile. "I'm sure it's fine. Mom will be there. Do you want me to arrange for the two of you to sit separately?"

He cast her a look. "Do you want us to sit together?"

She shrugged. "I want everyone to be happy."

"Well, it's settled. It'll be nice to see her again." Papi turned to the groom. "You said you work at Rolland. How long have you been with them?"

"Eight years. After college, I joined the Marines, then went to work."

"You a Bulldog?"

Rhys raised his hand in the school sign. "Yeah. You?"

"Never went. You're a big guy. Did you play football?"

Rhys let out a sharp laugh as if the whole notion was funny. "No sir. Band geek. You?"

"No. But I love the sport."

"Okay, enough guy talk." Arryn looked at Rhys. "Do you have an address?"

He took another folded page from his pocket and passed it to Papi.

"Arryn said you both still had flip phones, and I wasn't sure if you had a GPS, so I wrote out the directions, too. If you have any trouble, call me."

"Will do. Now, let's go inside and get something to drink."

All the way home, she thought of how Rhys' parents and hers would hate her if they knew the truth. She couldn't be sure that wasn't what he planned. Gather everyone for a happy occasion with no intention of going through with it, and then announce what a conniving, deceitful, horrid, and wicked bitch she was and how she'd ruined his life. That made her eyes red with tears and her nose smart because it was true.

Silent until now, Rhys pulled the car into her drive, then faced her, his face tight with tension. "Are you ever going to stop crying?"

Her breath caught. She grabbed the door handle.

He placed his hand on her shoulder. "Wait. I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that."

She didn't look at him. "I get it. You're angry. I don't blame you. I deserve it." She didn't give him time to say anything else, just stepped out of the car and rushed inside, glad to be away from him.

Bless Abuelito and his bowel issues haha

Poor Arryn, though. Rhys is being an asscrown.

TEASER: One by one, the crowd thinned, and Arryn got more anxious.

Wonder what thats about.