“So, she’s worse than she was last night, and she’s pretty vulnerable right now.” Madison looked at Michelle. “Want me to hold her down while you beat her to a pulp?”
WHAT?
“I think I can take her by myself just fine,” Michelle said. “Just stand close in case you have to help her recover afterward.”
I was too taken aback to react as Michelle moved closer, and I shut my eyes—bracing for a punch I definitely deserved, but it never came.
Instead, I felt her wiping my cheeks, then hugging me.
“I swear, Katie…” she whispered. “Your mom was right about wanting to name you afterI Love Lucy.”
“What?” I opened my eyes.
“You’re such a fucking drama queen.”
“I’m sorry for everything,” I choked. “I swear. My team will do everything right from here on out because I’ll be back in Manhattan by tonight.”
“I don’t want you to leave,” she said, pulling back and looking into my eyes. “I really don’t.”
“Don’t the rest of the wedding party and the early guests hate me?”
“They should, but they don’t.” A soft smile crossed her lips. “I mean, I should hate you and ban you from everything, but… this is all my fault, so I think it’s time you, me, Asher, and Chris sit down for a long talk before anything else happens.”
“Asher who?”
“Funny.” She wiped away another stream of my tears. “We have a private lunch reservation at the oceanfront bar at noon. You need to be there.”
“My flight is at noon.”
“I cancelled it already,” Madison said. “I also cancelled your ride to the airport.”
“Whose side are you on these days, Madison?”
“The one with a happily ever after.” She narrowed her eyes. “As always.”
Michelle gave me one final hug before backing away and mouthing “Thank you” to Madison the traitor.
“Some junior interns will be here in ten minutes to help you unpack, and I’ll personally escort you to the lunch,” she said. “You’ll need to help the floral team with the set of arches tonight to make sure they’re up to your high standards.”
“You’re the worst assistant I’ve ever had,” I said. “By far.”
“Don’t worry.” She smiled. “I’ve taken the liberty of giving myself an extra thirty-percent commission for saving your ass on this one. You’re very welcome.”
Twenty-Eight
PRESENT DAY
ASHER
The waves crashing against the shore were the only sounds at the empty oceanfront bar.
Chris and I sat at the only occupied table alone, neither one of us attempting to break the ice. Then again, if “conversation” included him glaring at me and muttering “What the fuck…” every few minutes, perhaps it was my turn to respond.
“I don’t see why you invited me here if you don’t have anything to say,” I said finally. “Surely, there’s something on your ‘Best Itinerary Ever’ that you could be doing right now.”
“There is.” His voice was flat. “But Michelle wants to talk to you.”
“You didn’t mention she was coming.” I pushed back my sleeves. “But you know what? I’m glad you finally did, so I can stop pretending she can be trusted.”
