Page 176 of Bridesmaid for Hire
“Fuck,” I mutter while taking a deep breath. I lean farther back in my chair, trying to figure this all out, but there’s no use, not when this man has to get married today. I don’t want to do anything to disturb that, so Iset aside the dumpster fire that is my current life and I say, “You know, nothing you need to worry about. You’re getting married today, you need to focus on that, but I appreciate you coming by. It means a lot. Thanks, man.”
“Are you sure?” he asks. “I can ask Maggie.”
“Please don’t,” I say. “She needs to focus on Haisley and keeping everything peaceful. I know Maggie. She’s putting all her energy into your bride, and that’s what we want to happen right now. Don’t disturb her.”
He nods. “Yeah, I appreciate that.” He stands from his seat, and I do as well. Together we walk into the bedroom, but he pauses and stares at something on the bed. When I look around him to see what he’s looking at, I catch him picking up the bill that Reginald sent me. “What’s this?”
“Nothing,” I say as I reach for it, but he doesn’t let me grab it.
“Did Reginald send you this?”
“Dude, it’s my problem, not yours.”
He turns to face me. “Reginald said he would cover the cost of your stay here, so why is there an invoice addressed to you?”
I sigh heavily. “I got it today, along with a note that said I need to report to Human Resources on Tuesday.”
Jude’s brows pinch together. “He’s firing you?”
I rub my hand over my forehead. “Seems that way, but like I said, nothing you need to worry about.” I snatch the invoice from him. “I hate to admit it, but Reginald was right about me. I came here for one reason, to get on the Hoppers’ good side so that maybe I got a leg up on the proposal. We can all see that crashed and burned right in front of me. My plan didn’t pay off, and now I have to deal with the consequences. My problem, not yours.”
I can see Jude trying to weigh the dilemma in his head. Because yeah, I created drama at his wedding. I created this mess and, even though Reginald fucked with me, if I’m being truly honest with myself, I’m not the victim in this situation. I’m anythingbuta victim. I had no place tryingto advance my career during someone’s wedding week. I had no business being here in the first place.
I grip his shoulder. “Jude, go get married. Have the best day of your life. I’ll be fine. I appreciate you coming over here to check on me. It wasn’t necessary, but I’m not surprised because you’re a good guy.” I move him toward the door. “Good luck with everything. Haisley is amazing and you are truly one lucky guy. Wishing you both the best of luck.”
He nods. “Thanks.” He faces me again and then pulls out a business card from his pocket. “If you need anything, you call me.” He grows very serious as he says, “Even if it’s needing someone to back you up. I have no problem battling my father-in-law.” With that, he takes off and the door shuts behind him.
The balls on that man.
Then again, he wants nothing from Reginald, nothing but his daughter’s hand in marriage. And I know Haisley well enough to understand she doesn’t require her father’s permission to do anything. She proved that when she broke away from the family and started her own venture.
I glance down at the invoice one more time, knowing damn well I’ll be dipping into my savings to pay for this, but I will fucking pay it.
He thinks he has me by the balls, but I’m not going to let him get the pleasure of thinking he’s cut me off at the knees with an invoice.
I move into the bedroom and take in the empty space that was once filled with Maggie’s laughter, her bright smile, her infectious personality. And now that she’s not here, not talking to me, it feels like this room, this island, has lost its magic. It’s lost its luster. And I know that there is nothing left for me to do here. I’m not going to bother the wedding. I’m not going to try to talk to Maggie when she’s trying to succeed in her commitment to Haisley. It would only distract her. She doesn’t need that, and I sure as hell don’t need to pay for another night in this room, so…I’m going to pack up.
Time to leave. I can figure everything else out later.
There is no way I’m going to let Maggie walk away like that. Not without knowing exactly what happened. I’ll be damned if I let her believe I would hurt her a second time.
I promised her I wouldn’t.
And I’ll do anything to make sure she knows that I intend on keeping that promise.
Guess who still had to pay for another night in the bungalow?
This guy.
That’s what happens when you stay past checkout time.
Reginald must have spoken to the staff to let them know that I’m the devil incarnate because they were anything but kind to me at the front desk. Doesn’t matter, wasn’t looking for a handout. I laid down my credit card, told them to charge it, and then I took off, my suitcase dragging behind me as I found my way to the boat that took me to the airport.
Luckily, I was able to change my flight.
Unluckily, I threw up on the boat again.
It’s why I’m currently slouched in a chair at my gate, waiting for my flight, wearing a neck pillow and desperately clutching a bottle of water to my chest. I have a red-eye out of here, and I’m very thrilled to have found some drowsy,knock me out of my miserysleeping pills for when I board. Until then, I’m settling my stomach and trying not to think too much about the implosion that is my life.
