I run my fingers through my hair, sighing in frustration. I’m still trying to wrap my mind around this latest development.

So I’m technically a princess. I’m married to Anton in some last-minute ceremony that only he could possibly pull off.

The ring feels heavy around my finger, the implications of its presence giving it impossible weight. It’s like the magnitude of my own crappy decisions has coiled around one of my digits, pulling me down.

“Are you okay?” Becky asks, her face pulled in concern.

“Not really. This is just a lot to take in.”

She nods, looking at me with understanding.

Sammi grips my hand, pulling me toward the curb to sit.

“What next?” Mysti asks, eyeing the group.

I hang my head between my knees, a headache already starting to pound at my temples.

“I guess we have to figure out the annulment thing,” I say, eyes fixed on the ground in front of me.

Without saying a word, I can feel their reluctance. They’re still hoping for a happy ending here—one that no doubt involves my ass in a throne.

It’s not that I mind that idea so much; it’s just everything that comes along with it.

“I have an idea,” Sammi says.

“What?”

She pointedly ignores me, whispering something to Becky instead.

I whip my head up toward them, already not liking the sound of this.

“What?” I repeat, glaring toward them.

As one, they pull their phones from their pockets, fingers flying quickly across the screens. The sound of connecting calls jumps out as they each hit speaker.

Oh no.

“I think you could use another opinion,” Sammi says, looking at me like an unreasonable child.

“Or two,” Becky adds, smiling innocently.

“Don’t you dare,” I warn, quickly jumping to a standing position.

“Percy, just hear them out,” Sammi says. “Maybe—”

“Hello, darl,” Lock’s voice cuts in.

Oh great.

“Hello, love!” I hear Liam echo from the other speaker.

Five against one. They’re really playing dirty.

I scowl at the girls, half tempted to turn and walk the other way.

Undoubtedly, they’d just follow, though. So instead I begin to pace, waiting for the inevitable lecture.

Like I’m not standing two feet away, Sammi and Becks launch into our most recent disaster, recalling the past twenty-four hours in excruciating detail.

The guys listen raptly, Lock’s chiming laugh occasionally interrupting.

When they’re all caught up, both girls hold their phones out toward me.

“Well, that sounds familiar.” Liam chuckles.

“No,” I say, needing to end this before it starts. “I know how it sounds, but this isn’t like Vegas, Okay? Or Bangkok. This was actually a mistake.”

Lock laughs again. “Who are you trying to convince, Percy?”

“You. Obviously.”

“I don’t know,” Liam offers. “Sounds like you’re the one who doesn’t believe it.”

I growl in frustration. There’s just no getting through to people like this. The happily married ones always think they know everything.

Sammi holds up a finger, silencing me before I can voice the thought.

“Look, guys,” she says, “I just think Percy might need a little perspective here. Tell her how you knew about us.”

Liam clears his throat like he’s about to recite a speech.

I cringe inwardly—and outwardly to boot.

“Well, for me, there was just always this undeniable connection. I wanted Becky more than I’d ever wanted anyone. The only hard part was getting her to come around.”

“Exactly!” Lock offers. “Sammi and I were perfect for each other. I mean, you met the alternative, right? I knew good ole Eggsy could never make her happy. I just had to get her to see it as well.”

I can’t help but nod along to this last. He’s absolutely right, of course. Sammi and fucking Eggbert were a match made in hell.

I’m not arguing against that. It just has nothing to do with me or my current situation.

“Look, guys,” I say, willing my voice to come across as calm and reasonable. “I appreciate you trying to help. Really, I do. But my situation isn’t like yours was. I don’t love Anton. This whole thing was just a big drunken accident, okay?”

I try not to be insulted by the sheer volume of laughter that meets my statement.

“Boy, that sure does sound familiar.” Lock chuckles. “Doesn’t it, Liam?”

“Sure does,” Liam responds. “Where have I heard that before?”

I see where this is going.

“Alright, enough. I’m not Sammi, or Becky. You’re forgetting that both of them actually wanted to get married. Maybe it took a while to figure out to who—but they wanted this life. I, on the other hand, have absolutely no interest in being someone’s wife. Anyone’s. See the difference?”

I’m met with silence, relief washing over me now that I’ve finally gotten my point across.

“Yeah, and that’s why you were engaged to him before all this, right?” Sammi says.

“Look, Percy,” Liam starts.

Or not.

“I know that you’re really confused, and I get that you think this only happened because you were drunk, but look around you. The two happiest couples you know are only together because of a single drunken night.”

Lock just can’t resist agreeing.

“Yeah, Perce. If you decided to marry this guy while you were sober, I might doubt the decision…but you were completely off your head. That’s when we really know what we want.”

What little patience I had left seems to shatter, my frustration reaching new levels.

I just can’t talk to these people.

I love my girls, and we have a lot of things in common, but this just isn’t one of them. I don’t need a knight in shining armor—or more accurately, a prince charming. I don’t need a love story.

I’m thrilled that they got their happily ever afters, but I don’t need the same thing. I already have everything I need. Just me, my girls, and my freedom.

“The kind of love that we have,” Liam says, “it’s not something you wanna pass up on, Perce. I know you think you’re happy now, but just wait. One day, you’ll wake up next to the love of your life, and you’ll know what actual happiness feels like. Just like I do with Becky.”

“And I with Sammi,” Lock offers.

“Awe, thank you,” Sammi says. “I love you, too!”

Becky looks about ready to cry. Man, those hormones are really doing a number on her.

Add that to the list of things I never want to experience.

No husband, no babies. Simple.

“Alright, alright, you’ve said your bit. It changes nothing, but thanks anyway,” I say, eyeing Becky and Sammi accusatorily. “Are we done here?”

“I tried,” Lock says, now clearly speaking to Sammi.

“Yeah, sorry, love,” Liam adds.

Good. ’Cause if they’re about done offering love advice, I’ve got some shit to take care of.