Big Waves Down Under (Sunny Valley Girls #1)

1 New Year’s Eve

Sunny Valley, California

Someone’s unbuttoning my dress. A warm hand massages the back of my neck.

“Francine.” Someone whispers into my ear. “Francine.”

The room comes back into focus and I stare into my maid of honor’s worried blue eyes. Lila is standing right in front of me in her pale violet dress gripping both of my hands.

“Breathe. It’s going to be okay.”

I try, but it’s like I was hit by a tsunami and left standing buck naked in a sea of people.

“Sweetheart, let’s get you ready,” Mom lifts the veil off my head.

“Ready for what ?” The earth to open up and swallow me whole? Winston Roberts, my fiancé, the love of my life, stood next to me on the altar, whispered in my ear that he couldn’t marry me, and walked down the aisle and out of the church. On , of all days. What on earth could I get ready for now other than another public display featuring my unfortunate demise?

“Your honeymoon!” says Lila.

“Umm…a honeymoon is for two people who’ve exchanged vows,” I squeak out before I blow my nose in my something-blue handkerchief—again. Mom and Lila exchange a look.

Mom rubs my shoulder and says, “You’re coming home with me and waking up and getting on that plane. It’ll be a fresh start Down Under. Say goodbye to Sunny Valley for a while. New year, new life, new hemisphere on that asshat’s dime.”

The only thing that could make me manage a slight smile at a time like this is hearing my mom swear.

Before I know it, they’ve pulled my dress off over my head and I’m wearing a hoodie and joggers. With Lila on one side and Mom on the other, they usher me out of the church and into a car.