But she had to send us on that stupid errand yesterday. We had to get caught in the rain. And we had to come back today and get caught outside the villa. She’s been on edge all day because of it. It’s why I’d kept my distance, hoping it would help her calm down and realize it wasn’t that big of a deal, but that clearly didn’t help.
Neither did the rumor mill if word got back to her other vindictive bridesmaids.
I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to fend off the tears burning in my eyes. The door creaks open and I can’t bring myself to see who it is. I just stand there, covered in soap and merlot as tears trickle down my cheeks, surely leaving a trail of mascara in their wake.
“You okay?”
I don’t even startle hearing his voice. Instead, it’s like a balm over the hurt edges of my heart.
“Yeah.” I crack my eyes open and look up at him. He arches a brow at me and I hate that I know exactly what he’s thinking:be honest with me. I sigh. “No, but I feel like I have to be.”
He shakes his head gently. “You don’t.”
“I do. I have to fix this and get back out there for Kate or she’ll disown me.”
He’s silent for a moment, then he says. “Is that really so much worse than what she’s doing to you right now?”
“She’s my family.” My voice breaks and a tear finally slips through and slides down my cheek. Emotions battle on Reid’s face—from devastation to anger to sympathy—before he closes the distance between us, stopping just a breath away from me.
“Does she know that? Because she’s not treating you like family should.”
“I really don’t have the energy to do this right now, Reid.”
“Okay,” he says, his fingers catching at the top button on his suit coat.
“I also don’t have the energy for that.”
Even if, in the midst of all the emotions, the sight of him unbuttoning his coat does cause a pool of heat to start in my belly.
He smirks, and the amused glint that lights up his blue eyes has me reconsidering. “As much as I’d love to do that, Jane, this is to cover your dress.”
My toes curl. My stomach bottoms out. My mouth suddenly feels dry.
“Oh,” I croak out. I clear my throat. “Thanks.” Nope, still sounds dry as hell.
He huffs a laugh, then takes the two steps forward to close the distance between us. My breathing stops as he reaches around me, draping the coat over my shoulders. His fingers run down the lapels. When they reach the end, his hands slip beneath the fabric and encase my waist, pulling me closer to him.
“You think this will satisfy her order to get a new outfit or do we have to get out of here?” he asks.
“I think we should get out of here regardless.”
He presses a long, hard kiss to my lips that leaves me breathless. “I agree,” he murmurs against my lips.
“Let me just get my purse and then we can go.”
Reid holds my hand tight as he leads me out of the bathroom. With my free hand, I pinch the suit coat closer to hide the offending burgundy splotch.
“I can just run down and get it for you,” Reid offers.
I shake my head. It’s just going to grab my purse. How bad could it be? Everyone should be falling over Kate anyways.
I would simply leave it behind except my key to the villa is in there. And my phone. If it were simply lipgloss and breath mints, I would just leave it behind.
He opens the door for me and he may as well have announced my entrance like we’re at a royal ball. Every head turns in our direction, glaring eyes bounced between us, and then heads bend together to whisper.I swallow hard, drawing in a couple breaths, and compose myself before walking down the stairs with my head as high as I can hold it.
“Once again offering to go get the purse for you,” Reid whispers in my ear.
“The damage is already done,” I reply. “Just please don’t let go of my hand.”
