His eyes darken. Did you check their rooms?”
“Not yet. I’ll grab Bean’s keycard. It’s in the dressing room. I’m not even sure which room Stephanie’s staying in, but maybe the front desk will tell me.”
He nods. “They know who you are and should do anything you ask.”
I raise a questioning eyebrow, but don’t wait for him to explain before taking off again. I leave my shoes on the dressing room floor while retrieving Bean’s room key. If I’ve learned anything lately, it’s to ditch them before I make a mad dash anywhere.
At the front desk first, I tell them that I need a key to Stephanie’s room. My name was already listed on the booking, so I could help get everything planned, but whatever Alex did triggered god-mode because they hand it right over.
Stephanie’s room is a bit messy, but it’s all towels and garbage. None of her personal items seem to be anywhere.
“Fuck,” I mutter aloud as I slam the door behind me and make my way upstairs. Bean’s room isn’t empty, but as far as I can tell, only her stuff is still in it. I don’t see anything of Calvin’s, and I know his shit was all over when I was up here earlier.
Stopping by the dressing room one last time, I notice that none of Stephanie’s stuff is in there, either. I slip my shoes back on and drop Bean’s key in her bag before heading back out of the room. When I come around the corner, Bean’s looking frantic.
“Oh, thank god, I was worried you were missing, too. Did you find her? What is going on?”
I drag her away from everyone. “Bean,” I say forcefully, making eye contact with her so she knows this is important. “She’s gone. Like gone gone. I have no idea where she is, and her stuff isn’t in her room.”
“That… That’s weird.” Bean shakes her head, confused. “Where would she go, Minnie?”
“I don’t know. But Bean, I can’t find Calvin, either.” I deliver the news as gently as I can.
She stares at me for a minute. “Did you check my room?”
“Yes. His stuff isn’t there. Neither of them will answer my calls or texts.”
Her forehead crinkles as she tries to make sense of my words. “My sister and my fiancé are both missing? Like at the same time? Just as my wedding is supposed to start? I don’t… What?” Her eyes go wide. “Minnie, oh my god, Minnie… They left together? Fuck, they left together! I have to go tell everyone that my fiancé ran off with my sister? My maid of honor?”
She takes a couple of ragged breaths and I squeeze her hands.
“No, sweetie. That’s not what we’re telling people. And you don’t have to do anything. I’m going to go out there and tell them all that something came up, there won’t be a wedding right now, and send them off to the reception. They can enjoy the party, and we’ll do whatever you need to. Want to sit in a room, drink, and cry? We’ll do it. Want to change into something else and go dance the night away? We’ll do it. Want to drive over the dress with the bus? We’ll do it.”
Her arms go around me. “I’m not going to cry. Well, I probably will. But fuck them. Go tell everyone we’re going to party, and then please come help me out of this dress.”
When she lets me go, I take her face in my hands. “You got it.”
Alex comes up behind her, still holding Henry. “Why sad, Beanie-Weanie?” Henry asks.
“Because some people are not awesome. So instead of a wedding, we’re having a party. Will you dance with me tonight, buddy?”
“Yeah! I love dance parties!”
“Me, too. But you have to promise to keep your clothes on.”
“Oh, man.” Henry pouts, and Bean laughs even as she blinks back tears.
“Love you, kiddo.” Alex wraps his arm around her and kisses the top of her head.
“I know, Dad. I love you, too.” She leans into him and closes her eyes, trying to keep the tears that are welling up from falling.
I make my way to the doors, not stopping when the rest of the wedding party asks me what’s going on. Opening the doors wide, I walk down the aisle and up the single stair at the frontbefore turning around to face the people gathered and waiting for a wedding.
“Thank you for waiting so patiently. Something unexpected has come up, and there won’t be a wedding here today. However, we still have a huge party planned, with dinner, dancing, and an open bar. And we’ve rented the entire place until Wednesday morning, so go forth and enjoy.”
The room erupts in voices as everyone turns to each other and tries to figure out what the fuck is going on.Good luck.
Tiffany steps out into the aisle and storms toward the back of the room and out the door in front of me. “Lizzie! You’re calling off the wedding? What are you thinking?”
