Page 42 of Without a Hitch
“A f-five.”
Of course, this little peanut of a woman would have a child-sized foot.
“This is absurd. You know that, right?” Jefferson, the groom, growls in Katrina’s direction.
She just shrugs.
“Okay, Bailey, Jefferson, and Audra, go to the bridal suite. I’ll be there soon.”
Jefferson gives me a grateful nod and shoots a look full of hate at his mother-in-law. Eesh. Family dynamics are tough among the one percent.
Snagging the broken shoe from Audra, I hike up my gown and hurry out into the reception. There must be close to five hundred people here. How the hell am I going to find this woman? I’m searching for the proverbial needle in a haystack when my breath catches in my throat.
He’s found me.
My heartbeat thunders inside my ribcage when I meet Blaine’s gaze. His eyes darken at first, but then his head tilts with intrigue, and that one tiny gesture causes a hive of hungry bees to riot around my heart. I can’t begin to imagine how I look, but I don’t have time for Sexy McSexerson.
I scan the room once more and almost immediately end up back at Blaine’s side. Nova sits with her hand on his forearm.
Oh, crud. Is he married? My eyes grow hot as I watch them. Am I cursed? Closing my eyes, I count to five because I don’t have ten seconds to get my shit together, then force my feet to move toward them.
When I’m within speaking distance, I keep my gaze trained on Nova. If I stare into his eyes, I know I might crumble. I promised myself I would never be that girl, but I have a sickening feeling that’s exactly who he turned me into. The home-wrecker.
“Excuse me?” My voice falters, and my hands clench into fists. “Nova?” I try again.
Her smile makes my stomach drop. I feel dirty and sick.
“Abby, right?” She stands, and I’m at a loss because the entire table stands with her. Including McSexerson. I nod because I’ve forgotten how to speak. “Is everything okay?” she asks gently.
No! I want to scream. I think I had the best sex of my life with your man, and it turned me into his dirty little secret. I see him in my periphery, but he doesn’t appear distressed. What the hell? I could blow up his world right now. Why is he smiling at me like that?
“Abby?” Nova tries again, and it shakes me from my panic.
I shrug and hold up Audra’s shoe. “Any chance you know how to fix this? Momzilla won’t let Audra enjoy her party until she can wear these exact shoes.”
My body shivers. I’m not sure if it’s from the blazing heat in Blaine’s eyes or because I’m suddenly worried. What if I can’t pull through for Audra?
Nova inspects the shoe and offers me an apologetic frown.
“Okay. That’s okay. I—shit. I don’t know this city. Where the hell do you get a”—I peer down to see what kind of shoe it is and roll my eyes—“a Manolo at 7 PM?”
An older man with a kind smile steps up beside me. “Poor Audra. Banny? Call Monica at Saks.” Returning his attention to me, he grasps my shoulders and forces me to look at him. “We’ve got it. What else do you have to do?”
I stare in silent horror at these people with features so similar to Blaine’s. The older couple is obviously Blaine’s parents, and the way the older woman holds Nova’s hand makes my stomach curdle. They’re trying to help a home-wrecker.
“Abby?” Blaine’s voice cuts through the crowd.
“Ah, I need to extend this cocktail hour. How far away is the shoe store?”
“Nice to meet you, Abby. I’m Ollie, Banny’s dad. Saks is about eight blocks. We can get a car…”
So that’s where Blaine gets his almost-accent from. “Oh, that’s okay. It’ll be faster if I run.”
“Run?” Blaine chokes. “In that dress?”
Nova watches him with a curious expression, and I turn on my heel before he outs our indiscretion.
“We’ll take care of the reception,” Ollie calls to my back. “We know the manager.”
