page81 (1/2)

“Not a chance” Mark’s voice was stern “I’ to pay for the wedding End of story”

“But you can’t afford to pay for the wedding,” said Sam “That’s the whole point”

“I can’t afford to fly them to Paris, sure, but I can afford to cover the cost of !” He sat forward in his chair

“Mark, please,” said Dad “I understand where you’re co from”

“Is that right? Because I don’t think you do—not even a little You’re bringingto pour od-kno- to take away one of my duties as a father”

“It’s not about that at all,” said Dad

“Then what’s it about?” asked Linda

Cass and I shared another look Things were getting bad if even herin

“It’s about giving the in, and this wasn’t going to be pretty

“And you don’t think alike that?”

I stepped in “Guys, please We can talk about this after the holidays” Preferably never, because the wedding would be called off before that But ood—not one person in the conversation even looked over at me

“Frankly, no” It was like Saht Little shit

“I can and I will,” said Mark “And I’ to hear another word about this shit”

Dad raised his palms “Please, let’s keep calm about this”

“Oh, I’ but Couldn’t blauy

Dad went on “Think about it like this—we give these two the wedding of their dreaiven her”

“Not the ring I wanted her to have,” said her mother

Dad pushed forward “She’s going to have that ring for the rest of her life, so she can show to her kids and pass down to the will be the same way, a treasured event that a hundred years frorandkids will still have the photos of”

“Kids” Cass’s voice was as far away as the expression in her eyes

Then, before anyone could say anything else, she got up and ran from the room as quickly as she could