“Never got caught,” Jase replied.
Brek headed for the door. He had amends to make with a certain blonde.
Sophie’s pissed-off parents stood cross-armed in the foyer. Mr. Winthrop wore a tailored tuxedo Brek estimated cost around five thousand dollars. Maybe more. Mrs. Winthrop still wore Velma’s clothes.
“Mr. and Mrs. Winthrop.” Brek cleared his suddenly thick throat.
He’d nearly asked,How are you?But that didn’t seem like the best idea at the moment.
“May I ask a question?” Mr. Winthrop had the same edge to his voice that guy on that legal show got when he interrogated someone on the witness stand.
“Absolutely.” The tension in Brek’s shoulder blades strung tight.
“Do you handle all of your engagements with such an exemplary disregard of decorum?” The fury in his expression countered the saccharine-laced tone of his words as Mr. Winthrop sauntered forward.
Shit fucked as it was, these people held the connections keeping Montgomery Events afloat. Brek squared his stance. “I’m sorry the day went sideways.”
Apologize. That was a good start.
“No. You’re not sorry.” Mr. Winthrop had to look up to meet Brek’s stare. Sometimes height had its advantages. Like, when one needed to reach something off the top of the refrigerator, or when a pompous prick with too much extra spending money had to stretch his neck to make eye contact.
Winthrop never blinked. “I expect there will be a refund.”
Brek steadied his deteriorating nerves. “There’s time to discuss all of that once the final numbers come in.”
“Nothing to discuss. Services were not rendered, due to the willful disruption of this wedding by your staff.” Winthrop hooked his thumbs at his belt, elbows wide.
“Sir, with respect, your daughter took off before any of our staff talked to her.” Brek held up his hands. He did not want to argue with this guy. “We’ll go over it all once things have settled.”
“I’m very disappointed in how this day has turned out. I’m certain you understand there are consequences to actions of this sort. Be prepared for them.” With that, Winthrop headed out the doors to his waiting limousine like the goddamned King of Screw You, his wife on his heels. The only thing missing was her cape.
Well, shit. The guy had no power over Brek, but he and his wife could make business impossible for Aspen. And fuck if Brek would let that happen on his watch.
The reception hall was only about five minutes away. He made his way through the packed parking lot and the somber banquet room. Velma stood in the hallway near the kitchen, holding a clipboard against her chest and carrying on a conversation with Troy.
“Hey, V,” Brek said as he got closer.
She looked at him, her eyes void of emotion. “Hi. I, uh, had the bartender put away the champagne, and he said he will give a refund on the other unopened drinks. The guy who runs the hall understood our situation and said he’ll give a partial refund, as well. That’ll at least take care of some of the costs.”
Troy dropped his shoulders. “I’ll head off now. Sounds like you’ve got everything under control.”
“Yeah,” Brek replied. Even though he had nothing under control. “We’ll handle it.”
“Troy?” Velma pulled a crumpled note from her pocket and handed it to him. “Sophie gave this to me. It’s addressed to you. Given everything, she’d still want you to have it.”
Troy took the paper and stared blankly. He stuffed it in the pocket of his tuxedo jacket without glancing at the words. “Thanks.”
“There’s an exit that way,” Velma suggested.
Troy nodded and slipped out through the kitchen.
Velma pinched her bottom lip under her teeth. Brek’s lungs squeezed tight. Velma hadn’t said anything that shouldn’t have been said. Sophie would’ve left anyway, with or without their conversation.
“I haven’t talked to the band about money. I figured that was your department. But I asked them not to play right now. Not until you gave them direction.” Velma paused. “I’m so sorry, Brek.”
Brek tucked a stray hair behind her ear, his fingertips lingering there. “I’m sorry I blamed you for Sophie. Wasn’t fair. Wasn’t right.”
She slumped to one of the benches lining the hallway. “I screwed up.”
