They Caught Her Flower for Someone Else, So I Kept the Groom Fate Gave Me Chapter 01

They Caught Her Flower for Someone Else, So I Kept the Groom Fate Gave Me Chapter 01

The town’s husband-choosing ceremony was voluntary. I’d only ever wanted a quiet wedding.

My fiancé, though, loved a spectacle. He signed me up behind my back.

So I told my brother and my childhood friend:

“Tomorrow, three women are throwing their Maypole Ribbons at the same time. It’s going to be chaos, and plenty of sleazebags will be lurking to snatch a bargain.”

“If Ethan can’t catch my ribbon, you two have to grab it for me.”

They both swore they would.

But when my ribbon fell, they both charged straight for Calla Tate’s Maypole Ground—to shield her ribbon.

Mine landed square in the hands of the town’s pariah bachelor, a man who’d allegedly buried three wives.

My heart slammed against my ribs. I was about to find Mayor Carver, the head of the Elder Council, to negotiate a rejection—when I heard their voices around the corner, low and conspiratorial.

“Ethan, you caught Calla’s ribbon. By town charter, you have to marry her. What about my sister Haven?”

Ethan held the ribbon he’d caught like it was made of gold.

“What about her? The ceremony’s just a town formality. It’s not like we’re filing a marriage license.”

“This way, Calla’s mom gets off her back.”

“As for Haven—worst case, she rejects the match, gets struck from the Family Registry. Big deal. What’s a woman even need a registry for?”

My childhood friend Landon laughed. “Haven’s always believed in the Maypole Match. Go charm her a little, and who knows? You and Calla might end up a real love story.”

I stood there and laughed—a dry, hollow sound.

If the Maypole Goddess wanted this for me, then fine. So be it.

…

The walk home was short.

When I pushed the door open, the smell of chicken noodle soup hit me first.

My brother Hunter was the first to meet me, voice dropping to a whisper. “So? You went to see the mayor about rejecting the match. What’d he say?”

My parents looked up too.

I hung my jacket on the hook by the door.

“Nothing much.”

My father Harold slammed his mug down on the table. “Town charter says a rejection means getting struck from the Family Registry. You’ve been dating Ethan for eight years. How did you let this happen?”

I didn’t answer.

I’d learned long ago not to bother. When things went wrong, he never had my back. Never once took my side.

Maybe because Calla was his old flame’s daughter. Every time the Tates were involved, he took their side like it was his birthright.

And this time, none of it was even my fault.

My mother Holly opened her mouth, then closed it. She just pushed a bowl of soup a little closer to me.

She’d always been timid. She did whatever the men in this house told her.

I didn’t expect her to speak up for me. I’d stopped hoping a long time ago.

As long as she stayed safe, that was enough.

I’d marry anyone. It didn’t matter anymore.

…

I’d barely sat down when the doorbell rang.

Hunter answered. Ethan and Landon walked in together.

Behind them trailed Calla.

She chirped the second she crossed the threshold: “Hi, Mr. Hale! Hope you don’t mind me joining dinner!”

Harold beamed like a kid on Christmas. “Come in, come in!” He personally pulled out a chair for her.

They’d just come back from the Meeting House, where they’d formally Accepted the Match. Calla’s ribbon had landed square in Ethan’s arms.

By town charter, they were the “fated” couple.

As for me—if I wouldn’t Accept, I’d Reject. Either way, my feelings didn’t matter to any of them.

Calla settled next to Ethan.

He served her some BBQ ribs, then seemed to remember I existed and dropped some vegetables into my bowl.

“Eat up, Haven.”

I looked down.

Bell peppers. I’d hated them since I was a kid.

He was so giddy over catching his true love’s ribbon that he’d forgotten even that much about me.