Page 81 of Marry Me Forever
But then his damn ex had gone and ruined everything.
And now I’d be the laughingstock of the internet by morning.
Nolan tried to pick up my ripped skirt, but I pushed him away. “Don’t.”
His gaze turned concerned, and I looked away. Once I had my skirt in my hands, covering my butt as much as I could, I turned toward Wendy.
Wendy and her self-satisfied smirk.
I want to cuss her out. Yell, scream, and tell her she was a piece of shit.
And yet, I knew that was what she wanted—for the country girl to show she didn’t belong in the big city, let alone among the rich and famous.
Tears heated my eyes, but I took a few deep breaths. I could cry later, but I’d be damned if I did it in front of that woman.
Meeting Wendy’s gaze, I said calmly, “Of course it was an accident. If you’ll excuse me.”
Keeping my head high, I strode from the room and down the hall to where the private bathrooms were for the guests.
As soon as I entered one, I locked the door, sat on the closed toilet lid, and put my head in my hands.
Unbidden, taunts from my childhood came racing back to me:
Look at Fat Kat! Why does she wear skirts? I’ve never seen the top of someone’s legs be so much bigger than the bottom.
Did you hear? Fat Kat asked Toby to the dance! Like he would ever do that—he’s going with me. Together, he and I have a chance at being crowned king and queen.
Do you smell that, girls? Cow shit. It must be Fat Kat stinking up the hallway.
This was like middle school all over again, but a million times worse.
Tears finally fell, and I sobbed, quietly. No matter how old people got, they still had cliques and taunts and put others down to feel better about themselves.
Except this time, it’d been in front of Nolan’s friends and colleagues. It’d also be in front of the entire world by tomorrow, if not already.
I could handle the Mean Girls of Starry Hills as an adult. But this? The world and the internet making fun of and judging me? Complete strangers tearing me down, laughing the whole time, and forgetting I was a real person?
I didn’t know if I was strong enough to deal with that.
Someone knocked at the door, and Nolan’s muffled voice came through. “Katie? Baby? Are you okay?”
Calm down and get home. Then you can break down again.
Sitting up, I did my best to dab my eyes with toilet paper and blow my nose. “Just a minute.”
Going to the mirror, I sighed. My makeup was smeared, and my hair was starting to slip.
Almost as if midnight approached, and I’d soon turn back into the dairy farm version of Cinderella.
Nolan knocked again. “Katie, please. Open up.”
After a few last dabs to erase my tears, I put my shoulders back and unlocked the door.
Nolan rushed inside, shut and locked the door, and reached out, as if he would cup my face.
I put my hands up. “Don’t.”
Maybe if I weren’t so worked up and emotional, I would’ve noticed the hurt in his eyes and been nicer.