For Love of Mister Cotton Tail: An Apocalyptic Fairytale (Single) by Serena Walken Page B

Not even his hair color. He vowed it was to keep their relationship simple because knowing anything else would make it to awkward to keep him as a pet.
    Somehow, she was beginning to doubt that same old excuse.
    Realizing she was thinking about her bunny instead of serving Cotton again, she shook her head. She had to stop being ridiculous. Before she reached his table though, Cotton was standing next to it, side by side with Darren.
    “This whole charade is getting annoying,” Darren said as he poked Cotton in the chest. “Just do Candy so I can marry her already. She is going to die soon if you don’t move it.”
    Candy came out and broke the two of them up. “Cotton, your drink.” She sat it down but looked over at Darren. “You have no business here.”
    “I do. You risk death if this dumb yahoo doesn’t either marry you or do you. So ask him!” Darren gestured to Cotton. “Are you going to marry her or not? She doesn’t have a whole month.”
    Candy wanted to slug him right then and there. She had time left. She hadn’t felt weak at all. There was time before that stupid question had to be answered.
    “Candy, is it me you want?” Cotton met her eye to eye. “I don’t want you to settle. Tell me there is no one else you’d want.”
    Candy turned from his eye as she saw the vision of her bunny again. Gaw, what was wrong with her?! Cotton was the greatest. She did like him, it was just . . . something . Something was wrong about him.
    “Candy doesn’t completely.” Poured saw the opportunity. “She can’t look you in the eye. She must like Darren more than she lets on.”
    Oh no way, that wasn’t even funny. Candy glared at Poured. She would ruin everything.
    “Candy?” Cotton questioned her again. “Look me in the eyes, and tell me you’d be happy with me.”
    “I would.” She said it, but not to his eyes. She tried again, but her voice faltered. “I-I would.”
    “No, Candy.” Cotton stood up. “You’re a nice girl. Sweetest one ever, but your heart has to be completely mine.”
    No. No, no, no! “It is though, I do care.”
    Cotton looked toward Poured and then at Candy. “Five days from now, I’ll come by your apartment, Candy. I may not have your heart, but I won’t leave you to Darren alone.” He gestured to Darren. “Her first time is mine, and most of her heart. You marry her and play straight, or she’ll take the entire company away.”
    Cotton. Candy wanted to go after him, but she didn’t know what to say. Her voice failed her. Her eyes failed her. She liked Cotton, and she would have chosen him any day for marriage over Darren.
    In five days, Cotton would take her and leave her to Darren. The thought pushed too hard now. Not this, not after all that time of getting to know him. She thought they had a great chance together. Why couldn’t she say she’d be happy with him? Why? She ran out the door with only one goal in mind.
     
    * * *
     
    Candy sniffled as she rushed into her home. She closed the door, seeking the furry companion she always had before. “Big Bunny.” Her body slid down the door, unable to even want to get up to look for him. He had always come to her front door.
    She wasn’t mistaken as he hopped over to her. He moved into her lap and she touched his big floppy ears. They always made her feel a little better, but even that wouldn’t work today.
    “Candy, what is it?” he asked as he stood on his haunches and twitched his nose at her.
    “Cotton. I let him go.” Candy could barely open her eyes. “He was there for me. He was risking marriage. He was polite, funny . . .but something happened. I couldn’t say he was the one who made me happy.”
    “Oh no.” Big Bunny hugge d her tighter. “Now what?”
    “Five days. He’ll give me back my dwindling power, and then it’s off to marry Darren.” Candy gulped. “I guess Sweet Meats is just an undeniable road I have to follow.”
    “No, you don’t have too.” Big Bunny thumped his foot on