The Outsider's Vows

side through all the triumphs and trials of life? Will you cherish her, nurtur

groom. David's gaze locked on Avery, his expression unreadable. The silence that follo

breath, his voic

Downs as my partner, my friend, and my equ

her chest, barely hearin

met barely a week ago, and he's giving

s here, at this altar, not because of love, but becaus

eek from now. Avery's eyes flicked briefly over the crowd. There were impressed

doing," she th

oked proud, sincere even. But all Avery could think was, "A simple 'I do

I even

Weeks E

hair. The quiet of the room wrapped around them like a cocoon, the aftermath

in to kiss Tiffany's bare shoulder. "A wh

, rolling over

need to talk about." Her voice had a strange ed

aid, her eyes na

her lip, h

nd the bills are piling up. My siblings' tuition

ffany had never asked her fo

she asked, her ton

eyes filling wit

ly do. But I don't know where else

r with a kiss, pu

re my partner, Tiffs. What's mine is yours. Don

rching Avery's for reassurance. "Are y

smiled, stroking her cheek. "Transfer wha

tude. She wrapped her arms around Avery, holding her tight

bloom inside her chest. But that warmth would so

cket while she was grocery shopping. Glanc

day, but what really caught her attention was the

es she w

minutes later, her phone buzzed again,

check on you. Call

mom's message followed: "Be home by 6 PM

ation her mother had in store for her. Her mother only cal

n up to three

wns asked sharply as Avery

'm here now. Isn't

greeted her father, ignor

e lit up. "How a

d, her gaze briefly resting on her mot

baby. Come, have a seat, ea

rse, she can leave after gr

ist. "Late and dressed like you rolled

black cargo pants, white

sometime, Robert. Or go knock your he

are," Robert shot back. "You're

nsed, but she di

r business," Mr. Downs snapped. "One mo

ected. "Why shouldn't he speak his mind? A

efore her fath

er mother. "Now, what do you want? Yo

plate-broccoli and cauliflower salad,

at her mother. "You know I hate this s

he goat," Ro

Mr. Down

taring at her mother. "You

savoring her control

d. "And what a

unworthy, I'd intervene. It hasn't even

her eyes. "Wh

n. Avery's stomach twisted as Simon handed her his phone

but she kept her e

"Looks like she found

id, her voice steely. "That co

augh. "Please. Yo

n't care what you think. I trust Tiff

' voice tu

has failed. Your match has been

*

lled Tiffany and asked that they meet a

frayed. She was sipping a drink when Tiffany walk

art cl