No explicit details had been given.The groom hadn’t been officially named yet, but there’d been enough clues planted, and seeing as Isabella was now in the Cook Islands, there were no prizes for guessing who the lucky guy was.
And there hadn’t been any word from that lucky guy either.
He could’ve at least messaged to explain what was going on.Instead, nothing.Was he so smitten by his ex’s return that he’d forgotten all about her and Karim already?
Common sense told Libby no, but her emotions sang a different song.
She should call him, or at least send him a message to ask what was going on, but why should she?All her life, Libby had been hunting out the truth.Was it so wrong to want the facts to come to her this time?Wasn’t it right that he make the call first?It would mean more to her if he did.To hear from him, out of his own mouth, about what he’d been doing for the past two hours in a honeymoon bungalow with his ex-fiancée.
So far, the only information Libby had about Britain’s Favorite Couple reuniting was what she’d managed to stomach from the internet—which mostly consisted of hints and hearsay from “trusted sources.”
There wasn’t even anything about Isabella having flown to Rarotonga, although it was only a matter of time before people figured that out.
The comments about her on the Hunters’ social media were gross, though.
While both Xavier’s and Alicia’s posts were full of cutesy family photos—as if their PR team had worked overtime to counter-fuel the gossip of any affair—the anti-Isabella remarks were becoming increasingly disgusting.Libby had stopped scrolling when toxic Alicia Hunter fans were issuing death threats on Isabella.This was exactly why Libby had wanted to warn her and why Dan had.Stories like these always brought out the vermin from beneath the dark, damp rocks.
No wonder Rick had said Isabella was a mess.Was that why she’d come out here?To seek refuge from Dan, a man she knew would always love her?
Libby turned away from the yard and checked the time on her phone.
Nearly five p.m.
Rick’s flight would be landing soon, and it would take at least an hour for him to clear customs and collect his bag.
She checked the time again.A bus was scheduled to pass by shortly.What if she and Karim met him at the airport, rather than waiting here, stewing over all the things that Dan and Isabella were doing?Karim would love the bus ride too, and once they’d met up with Rick, they could head out to dinner somewhere nice that would cheer her up.
“Let’s go, honey.”Libby grabbed her bag, coaxed Karim out of the door with the promise of seeing Uncle Rick, then headed down to the bus stop.
“Kia Orana!”Tia Rosa called out from the front of her house.“Where are you two going in such a hurry?”
“To the airport!”Libby called back, jogging away with Karim in her arms, scared that they’d miss the bus.As it was, they only had to wait a few seconds before they saw it coming toward them.“Phew!”She let out a breath as they stepped on and bought a ticket.“We’re having an adventure today, aren’t we, baby?”Her emotions might be all over the place right now, but she could still make things fun for Karim.She sat him on her lap, next to the window, and they waved to Tia Rosa as they drove by, with Libby hoping she hadn’t offended the older woman by running past her like that in her rush to catch the bus.
Chapter 34
Asproposalswent,Isabella’sone had been pretty pathetic.
But pathetic described Isabella all over right now.One day, when she got over Hunter, she’d look back and hate herself for being such a wrung-out mess.Much like Libby had said she hated the mess she’d been after that turd had so callously dumped her.If Libby were here, she’d make Isabella feel better and stronger.
And, like she always did, she’d make him feel better and stronger too.
How could he be missing her so much when she’d only left a few hours ago?
Isabella’s marriage proposal loomed over his head.
The stunt would save Isabella’s career—and resurrect his.They’d be back on track.Britain’s Favorite Couple.Libby would benefit too.If his popularity increased, their videos would get even more traction, and of course, he’d always help her in any way he could.
Then there was that BBC offer…
“How did you meet Libby?”
Visions of a parallel life evaporated as Isabella’s voice cut through his thoughts.
They were sitting outside now, at the little bistro table.Finally, he’d managed to reassure her that there were no paparazzi hanging around and that some fresh air and late-afternoon sun would do her good.
“We met on the plane out here,” he said and then told her about the mix-up over the room and that they had the same surname.
“That’s funny.”A faint smile crept onto Isabella’s lips.“She seems nice.”
