I did not want to search for either of them, but as Mika looked so dejected, I left her to play with the puppies while I ventured out into the hallway. The groom’s suite was the next floor up. Camilla was probably up there. I squared my shoulders and marched to the elevator. Surely, I wouldn’t run into Evan. He would probably just remain home until the last possible moment if he had any sense.
Camilla wasn’t in the groom’s suite, though. Teddy and his friends looked like they had been drinking since last night, and they cheered when they saw me.
“No alcohol in the venue,” I reminded them then left to find Camilla or Evan’s father.
“God, where is Camilla?” I muttered as I texted Mika. I was reading her reply when I ran into a muscular male chest.
53
Evan
Iwas in the groom’s suite before the ceremony, babysitting Teddy and his friends, when the text came in from Mika.
Mika:Ivy’s here!!!
Mika:Now’s your chance to apologize and grovel.
Mika:I talked you up.
Evan:I don’t know if I can get her back. I’m not even sure I should. Maybe she’s better off without me. I just really need to apologize and make it right without strings attached.
Mika:Tick tock. There are Svensson brothers coming to this wedding. If you think one of them isn’t going to try and snap up Ivy when they see her in her bombshell bridesmaid’s dress, think again.
While the Svensson brothers might have been competition, Teddy and his friends sure weren’t. They were singing Scottish folk songs and snapping each other with wet towels.
“We have another kilt here for you, Evan,” Teddy slurred, lurching into me.
“Remember,” I warned him, “don’t take any of this alcohol downstairs.”
Teddy flashed me a thumbs-up. “That’s why we’re drinking it all now.”
My phone buzzed constantly with messages from Mika, my stepmother, and, of course, Imogen. Who did I not receive a message from? Ivy.
I had an epic grand gesture planned, but I was under no illusions that it would be enough to win her back. Besides, I thought, looking around at the chaos of the groom’s suite, why would she want to hitch herself to this shit show?
Mika:Is Dad there with you? The photographer wants some shots of him and Imogen.
Evan:He was here doing shots with Teddy and giving him advice on how to be a good husband.
Mika:Did it include just giving in to whatever Imogen wanted?
Evan:You don’t have to kowtow to her.
Mika:I can’t help it. She wanted Mom’s earrings and I just gave them to her. What is wrong with me?
Evan:Make her give them back.
Mika:I can’t! She’s already a hair trigger away from losing it. I just have to survive this wedding then I’m never seeing another person in our family again ever.
Evan:Not even me?
Mika:Not you if you let Ivy go without putting up a fight.
Mika:Now go find Dad.
Warning Teddy not to leave the room until I returned, I ventured out into the hall. The hotel was large and freshly renovated, with luxurious soft carpet and minimalist sconce lights. It was also huge. My father could be anywhere.
There’s probably a bar around here somewhere,I thought as I searched through my phone to try and find a map of the hotel. The image I found said there was a lounge area on every floor with complimentary refreshments. My father was probably there.
