Page 10 of Bridesmaid By Chance
Absolutely.
I absolutely fucking did.
I could not have made the decision in my head faster before I spat it out to the room.
“Really?” Sheridan asks, her hands clasped together now, so much hope in her expression.
“Of course,” I say, even though I can feel the questioning stares of Everly and Maggie directed at me.
Well, not just questioning but concerned. I can’t even look in Sloane’s direction. Those fucking huge-ass eyes of hers are probably as wide as can be.
“Do you know anything about Regency dancing?” Sheridan asks Sloane.
Before Sloane can even open her mouth, I continue to dig my grave. “She was just telling me the other day how she’s been partaking in some ballroom dancing in her spare time. More modern waltzes, but I’m sure it’s the foundation for good footwork. I have no doubt she’ll be able to pick it up quickly.”
I also have no doubt she probably wants to stab me in the throat with her pen to get me to stop talking.
“Oh, that’s wonderful. Yes, any experience is great,” Sheridan says just as a phone rings and Archie pulls it out of his pocket.
“Sorry, I need to take this,” Archie says and then stands from the table and walks toward the back of the store.
When he’s out of earshot, Sheridan says, “Sorry about that. His father has been sick, and well, we’re trying to speed this wedding along so he can be a part of it. Everything that we’re doing for the wedding is really for him, hence having it in England with a Regency theme.”
“That’s really sweet,” Everly says.
“I’m kind of in love with the idea of holding a Regency-themed wedding. Sounds dreamy,” Maggie adds.
Sheridan smiles as I sit there, my skin prickling with the awareness that I just threw my assistant into a position I’m fairly certain she not only doesn’t want to be in but that she has zero experience at.
Maggie asks Sheridan about the decor and what she plans on wearing. Sheridan gushes about the colors—iceberg blue and cream. She regales us about the flowers—lilies. And sings praises about the club where the wedding will be held—it has an ornate ballroom with painted ceilings where the reception will take place. All the while, I remain as still as possible, sweating and mildly panicking because I fear if I turn to look at Sloane, she’ll be one breath away from chopping me in the esophagus with the side of her hand, cutting off all oxygen.
“Yeah, so it should be a great week of celebrating. We can’t wait,” Sheridan says just as Archie returns to the table.
He softly smiles. “Sorry about that. Darling, we’re going to have to head out. Unfortunately, some tests came back for my father that were not what we were hoping for, and well, my father needs me in London.” He looks at me and continues, “I’m going to have to cancel our meeting for today. My deepest apologies.”
“Oh, we can meet anytime.” I stand. “Business can wait. Please, focus on your family.”
“Thank you, that means a lot to me.” Archie helps Sheridan stand as well, both of them with concerned looks on their faces.
“So…where do we stand with everything?” Sheridan asks, looking between all of us.
Knowing I’m the one responsible for this mess, I jump in, “We’ll get Sloane prepared for the wedding. Just send us the information, and she’ll be ready.”
“Thank you so much,” Sheridan says, looking incredibly relieved.
“Of course,” I say.
Archie turns to Sheridan and says, “Can you wait for me in the car? I need to discuss something with Hudson for a moment.”
Sheridan smiles softly, places a kiss on his cheek, and then takes off with a wave to the girls. When she’s gone, Archie turns to me. “May I have a moment?”
“Yes, of course.”
“You can use my office,” Maggie says graciously.
“Thank you.” I guide Archie to the back, to Maggie’s office, and shut the door once we’re inside. He doesn’t try to take in the space, getting right down to business.
“I need to make this quick,” he says. “I don’t want to stress Sheridan out since she’s already stressed about her injured bridesmaid and the wedding preparations, but that was actually her father on the phone.”
