“Oh, I can’t see that happening,” Emma says, rounding the curve on the road so the ocean comes back into view. “There’s no salvaging it, I’m afraid. Especially because the royals are probably gone by now.”
My eyes fly open and I sit up. “Are you serious?”
Emma nods. “I heard Arthur telling his bodyguard to have someone prepare the jets.” She puts on an uppity accent as she says that last bit and my heart sinks to the floor.
A sense of panic overtakes me. My stupid phone was lost at sea and Arabella didn’t meet me at the hospital, which I thought she would. And now I’m worried that I know why. “Was Arabella going with them?”
“I’m really not sure.”
We make the left turn into the long driveway that leads to Paradise Bay and I start to bounce my legs, worried that she’s already gone. I barely wait for Emma to come to a full-stop before climbing out, thanking her, and running into the lobby to see if the family has checked out.
Rosy is at the desk. She gasps when she sees me and comes rushing out to me with her arms out. “Cuddle Bear! What did that awful man do to your beautiful nose?”
“It’s fine, Rosy,” I say quietly, wishing she wouldn’t make a public scene. I’ve had enough of those for a lifetime. “It wasn’t his fault anyway. A lot of people panic when they think they’re drowning.”
I take her hand and walk off to the side, then lower my voice. “Are they still here?”
She nods, looking unhappy about it. “Apparently their pilots got day drunk so they have to wait until tomorrow to go home where they belong.”
“Rosy,” I say, “I know things got off to a bit of a rough start, but…”
“A bit?”
“Really rough, okay?”
She raises one eyebrow and purses her lips.
“Horrible. A horrible start, but please, for my sake, can you just try to make nice with them when you see them next?” I stare into her dark brown eyes with a pleading expression. “Please? For my future wife and me?”
“You sure you want to go through with this whole thing?” she asks. “They’re pretty much the worst people I’ve ever met in my life. And I used to work at a prison.”
Rolling my eyes, I say, “Yes, I’m sure. Now, I have to go find Arabella.”
“Okay, if that’s what you want…”
“It is.”
“Then go find her,” she says, turning and walking back toward the front desk. “But, you know, there are lots of lovely island girls right here who would make you very happy.”
I spin on my heel and leave without bothering to argue with her. I’ve got bigger fish to fry than worrying what Rosy thinks right now. Now to find the love of my life and make sure she’s okay.
As I hurry along the path to the building her family is staying in, I tell myself to calm down. She and I are a team and we’re going to stick together no matter what.
I hope.
Chapter 24
Bridezilla is in the HOUSE!!!!!
Arabella
I finally feellike I’ve calmed down enough to speak to my family about what happened today. In an effort not to go all insane bitch bride on them, I have spent the last couple of hours soaking in the tub, listening to calming meditations. And when I finally felt serene enough to conduct myself with a sense of grace, I made the short trip down the hall to Arthur and Tessa’s suite. Although, now that I’m here, my rage is bubbling up in my chest again. There are two adjoining rooms (one on either side) where my father and Gran are staying, and, I know from Tessa’s texts, they’re all here waiting to ‘make it up to me.’ As if they can.
I hold my hand up to knock, then put it back down by my side. Bellford, who is standing slightly behind me, speaks up in a gentle voice. “If I may, Miss, perhaps you should sleep on it before you confront your family.”
He means because I’ve polished off all three of the tiny bottles of gin in my bar fridge, which is more than enough to get me tipsy. I consider his words, but then reach up and knock. “I’m too angry to sleep,” I mutter.
Arthur opens the door, his face filled with remorse. “Hello, Airy Fairy,” he says. Airy Fairy is his childhood nickname for me. He only uses it now when I’ve either suffered some great loss (like being dumped) or when he’s fucked up royally (like today).
