The Gentle Manipulator

Summary

1.

Holden didn't show up on our wedding day.

When I finally got him on a video call, he was decked out in full Arc'teryx gear.

The background was a vast expanse of white ice. He was in Alaska.

"Babe, listen to me," his voice was high, vibrating with an adrenaline rush.

"This wedding is just a party, right? We've been engaged for almost a year. Does one day really matter? You're not mad, are you?"

Behind him, a head wearing a beanie popped into the frame.

It was Tessa, Holden's college fri