“Goodbye, Brad.” I stepped back. “And fuck you.”
I left the boardroom and walked down the hall, hoping for the first time in forever that he wasn’t following me.
Thankfully, the elevator arrived within seconds, and I took the ride down by myself.
His name crossed my phone screen, and I did what I should’ve done years ago.
I pressed “block” and vowed to never speak to him again.
Opening my calendar, I swiped to April and saw the first three weeks lit up in pink for Michelle’s wedding.
The only things left before then were a few private lunches with the bridesmaids and a bachelorette party she had yet to announce.
It meant that I wouldn’t have to worry about seeing Asher until I landed in Punta Cana, and I could manage to hold off on thinking about him until then.
At least, I thought…
Eleven
ASHER
Run-In #11
The Damien & Natalie Reese Wedding
Clayton House
Scottsdale, Arizona
“You said that I wouldn’t have to marry her.” Damien glared at me from across the men’s bathroom. “Those were your words, verbatim. Remember?”
“Of course, I remember, Damien.” I nodded. “I gave you the same guarantee I give everyone else.”
“I trusted you with my future, Asher,” he said, “but most importantly, I paid you.”
“I’m aware.”
“So, what makes you think I won’t beat the hell out of you for screwing me over?”
“You’re not the fighting type.”
“If you think I won’t make you regret ever crossing me for this…” He struggled to crack his knuckles. “You’re wrong. So, either cough up the thirty thousand I gave you, or start talking.”
“You know I don’t do refunds,” I said. “But I am a man of my word, so I suggest you just be patient. Oh, and…your bow tie is crooked. You should probably fix that before we step out of here.”
“The wedding starts in four hours.” He seethed. “Four. Fucking. Hours.”
“I tried to make you cancel it four weeks ago, remember?”
“No, you…” He shook his head, but the look in his eyes said it all.
He was the reason this came down to the wire. Not me.
“I should’ve just told everyone pressuring me to propose to mind their business.” He ran a hand through his hair. “I love Natalie, truly, but…”
I braced myself for the same story I’d heard a million times before.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
