A Wedding, a Bouquet, and a Twist of Fate
I never expected my 70-year-old mother’s wedding to turn my life upside down. I thought it would be a simple, sweet celebration—until she grabbed the microphone and dropped a bombshell rule for the bouquet toss.
I should’ve known better.
The Wedding That Changed Everything
The kitchen was chaos. My mom, glowing in her wedding dress, flitted around like a woman half her age, adjusting place cards and fussing over napkins as if the world depended on it.
“Mom, are you serious?” I crossed my arms. “You’re seventy-nine. And you’re getting married?”
She barely glanced up, her smile wicked. “Oh, don’t give me that look, darling. Life doesn’t end at seventy. It just gets more interesting!”
I groaned. “You live perfectly fine on your own!”
“And who said I want to live alone?” She arched a brow, daring me to argue.
My mother had always been unstoppable—strong-willed, fearless, and stubborn as hell. Once she set her mind to something, that was it.
“I know your divorce made you bitter,” she said, softer now. “But I haven’t given up on love. Harold makes me happy. He makes me laugh.”
I clenched my jaw. She always knew where to hit hardest.
My ex-husband had walked out years ago, leaving me with nothing but a broken heart and a suitcase full of cynicism. Love? A scam. Romance? A fairy tale for people who hadn’t been burned yet.
But my mom? She still believed in magic.
The Bouquet Toss From Hell
The wedding was beautiful. Laughter, music, my mother beaming like a woman reborn. Then, just when I thought I could escape without drama, she grabbed the mic.
“Ladies! Time for the bouquet toss!”
The crowd cheered. My nieces rushed forward, ready to fight for it.
“And whoever catches it,” Mom announced, eyes gleaming, “gets my priceless sapphire ring!”
Excited murmurs rippled through the guests.
“But,” she added, holding up a finger, “there’s a condition.”
My stomach dropped.
“The winner must go on a date with someone of my choosing!”
I immediately stepped back. Oh, no. No, no, no.
Mom turned, winked at me, and launched the bouquet—directly at my face.
I fumbled. It landed in my hands.
Silence. Then—cheers erupted.
Mom clapped. “Congratulations, darling!”
“This is a joke,” I hissed.
“A deal’s a deal!” she sang.
“Who am I going on a date with?”
Her grin widened. “Nick! Come on up!”
I turned.
And there he was.
Him.
The same infuriatingly handsome man who’d fixed my flat tire on the way here. The same guy who’d flirted shamelessly while his girlfriend glared from the car.
Nick strolled forward, smirking. “Well, well. Looks like fate’s got a sense of humor.”
Behind him, the blonde—Julie—rolled her eyes so hard I thought they’d get stuck.
I whirled back to my mother. “Absolutely not.“
She grabbed my arm, whispering, “Please. As my wedding gift.”
Before I could argue, she vanished into the crowd.
Nick leaned in. “So. When’s our date?”
I gritted my teeth. “Fine. One dinner. That’s it.”
The Worst Date Ever
I arrived early, already regretting my life choices.
Nick walked in right on time, annoyingly handsome in a crisp shirt and dark jeans.
“Wow,” he teased. “You actually showed up.”
“Let’s just get this over with.”
Surprisingly, he wasn’t terrible. He was funny, sharp, and—ugh—charming. I caught myself smirking more than once.
Then his phone rang.
He ignored it. Then it rang again.
He sighed. “Give me a sec.”
I watched as he stepped away, his voice low but tense. “Julie, calm down. I’ll be there soon.“
He hung up, raked a hand through his hair, and dropped back into his seat.
“I have to go.”
I scoffed. “Let me guess. Julie?”
“Yeah.”
“Of course.”
He threw cash on the table. “It’s not what you think.”
“Save it. We’re done.”
He hesitated, then left.
I stared at my coffee, furious. Typical.
The Truth Comes Out
For a week, flowers arrived at my office. Roses. Lilies. Ugh.
Then my mom called. “Dinner. Tonight. No excuses.”
I should’ve known it was a trap.
I walked onto her patio—and froze.
Nick stood at the grill.
And Julie sat at the table, arms crossed.
I turned to leave.
Mom grabbed me. “Stay.“
Nick spotted me. “Look who’s done avoiding me.”
Before I could snap, he sighed. “I need to introduce you properly.”
I glared. “I know Julie.”
“Yeah, well,” Julie muttered, “I’m his daughter.“
I blinked. “What?“
Nick rubbed his neck. “My wife passed when Julie was six. It’s been just us since.”
Julie rolled her eyes. “And he’s annoying.”
Nick grinned. “She’s just mad because I’m dating again.”
I stood there, stunned.
Not his girlfriend. His kid.*
Julie groaned. “Look, you’re not terrible. And he likes you. So… give him a chance.”
Nick smirked. “See? Even my kid approves.”
I shook my head, but for the first time in years… I smiled.
Maybe love wasn’t a scam after all.
Maybe, just maybe, my mom had been right.
And that was the most shocking part of all.
