I’d just have to figure out a way to convince him. If worse came to worst, I could drive him over to Branson’s place so he could see the truth for himself.
I grabbed my keys, went out the door, and hopped into my pickup out front. Branson’s sleek silver Audi was alreadygone. We were identical in a lot of ways—even in personality—but our taste in vehicles diverged significantly.
Silas was so sophisticated. If he’d met my brother first, would he have liked him better?
I shook that thought away and started the engine. Branson was head-over-heels in love with Caitlyn, and Silas would never have the chance to find out if my brother was the better guy for him. Because if I had any say in the matter, he’d be stuck with me.
I reversed out of the parking spot and drove the few blocks to Veils & Vows.
I hopped out and pushed through the glass entrance doors. The front-desk receptionist looked up. “Mr. Larkin, hello. I’m afraid Heidi’s in another meeting if?—”
“I want to see Silas.”
She froze, half-raised out of her chair. “I’m afraid he’s not available.”
“Can you just call him and tell him I’m in the lobby? My name is Bryson. I’m not the guy from earlier. That’s my brother, Branson.”
She stared at me as if uncertain what to believe. Christ. We hadn’t had twinception at this level since we were in middle school. Normally we were easy to tell apart by our clothes, but now that Branson wasn’t working, he’d traded in his suits for faded blue jeans, which was doing me no favors right now.
“Please,” I said. “I just want to clear up a misunderstanding.”
“I wish I could help you,” she said at last. “But Silas really is out for the day.”
“He left in the middle of the workday?”
She spread her hands. “He did.”
“He’s not just hiding in his office?” I asked. “If I searched this place?—”
“You willnotdo any such thing,” an imperious voice said, which made my spine stiffen and an instinctual flash of guilt run through me.
I turned to see a regal woman coming down the hall. She was dressed in a tailored business suit, black-and-white checked. Her silver hair was pulled back into some sort of fancy bun. Like Silas, this woman was elegant.
“Silas Thorne has ended his work relationship with you. You can work with Heidi, or you can find another wedding planner. Those are youronlyoptions. You will not harass him in his workplace.”
I flushed, a wave of shame cresting even though I wasn’t my brother. The fact she believed it, that she believed I was a cheating groom come crawling back to twist Silas’s arm into planning my wedding to Caitlyn made me a little sick.
“I’ve never had a work relationship with him.” I pulled out my wallet and displayed my driver’s license. “My brother is Branson. I’m Bryson. We really are twins.”
She leaned in, peering closely at the license. Flicked a wary look up at me. “I’ll pass on your message to Silas.”
“If I could just show him…”
“He’s really not here,” she said gently. “He took an early day. He was upset.”
I winced. “The sooner he understands, the better for everyone. I don’t want him to be hurt, and I don’t want my sister-in-law to worry about her wedding plans. Ineedto make this right.”
“I understand. I’ll call him as soon as you leave.”
It wasn’t enough, but there was nothing more I could do here. I nodded reluctantly. “Please tell him he can call me anytime, and I’ll answer any questions he has.”
“I will.”
I went back out to my truck, but instead of going back to the store, I drove to Silas’s neighborhood. It was over the line to stalk him to his house, but I didn’t know what else to do.
Probably a good thing his car wasn’t in the driveway, even if it didn’t feel like that.
I couldn’t force Silas to talk to me. I had to wait until he was ready. But damn, I hated what he must be thinking about me right now.
