Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 64966 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64966 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Brad hadn’t noticed any of that. He was still poking at his phone and frowning. A few moments later, a tall, blond man joined him. Frederick.
The last time I’d seen Brad’s boss, he’d been bent over a desk in their office. It was after hours, and my then-boyfriend had been balls-deep in his ass. The memory of the two of them together triggered a fresh onslaught of anger, betrayal, and hurt.
He’d actually brought that fucker to the wedding.
Part of me—the part that was still really fucking angry—wanted to march over there and douse them with the entire contents of the vase I was holding.
But the rest of me was panicking.
Oh God, Malcolm.
He didn’t know. I’d never told him I’d dated his son. I also hadn’t told him about my ridiculous, poorly thought out plan for revenge.
This was going to ruin everything.
Malcolm was absolutely wonderful, one of the very best people I’d ever met in my life. I’d developed real feelings for him, and he’d trusted me and opened up to me.
This was how I repaid him? Shame and guilt washed over me.
I should’ve told him sooner. In fact, I should’ve told him when we were still in San Francisco. Instead, I’d let things get this far. I’d pushed my secret to the back burner and tried not to think about it. The entire time we’d been on this trip, I’d been totally focused on other things—on Malcolm, and the wedding, and apparently I’d started living in denial. I let myself forget I was withholding a huge piece of information from him.
Fuck. I was going to blow up the start of something so incredibly special.
What was I supposed to do now? I couldn’t walk up to Malcolm and say, ‘oh, by the way, I used to date your son and initially approached you to get back at him. Then I didn’t bother to mention it for two weeks.’ I’d lose him in one easy step.
Also, this was the last thing he needed right now. There was already way too much on his shoulders, between trying to support his sister, taking responsibility for the wedding prep, and dealing with the rest of his family members, who’d be showing up over the next few hours. He needed me to have his back, not stick a knife in it.
I couldn’t tell him right now. There was no way.
I needed time to figure out what to say, and I had to choose my moment. I couldn’t throw this at him like a grenade, out of the blue.
Maybe it could wait until after the wedding…
Everything was so chaotic right now. Also, if I didn’t say anything, I could keep helping with the wedding prep. Mal and his sister needed me right now, but if I told them the truth, they’d kick me out and be down a team member.
Okay, yes, I was totally looking for ways to justify my decision to keep the lie going. But whatever.
All I needed to do was remain behind the scenes, and Brad and I would never cross paths. He was a self-centered douche, so there was no way he’d volunteer to help with the set-up. As far as the actual wedding, I could make up some excuse and stay in my room. Malcolm would still enjoy the event without me.
Then, before we left on Sunday, I could sit him down and confess. I’d lay it all on the line, apologize, and beg his forgiveness. By then, maybe I’d figure out the right words to say, so I could soften the blow.
But I was pretty sure the end result would be the same, no matter what I said.
At least I could find my own way home after that. There was a regular ferry to the mainland. From there, I could get myself to an airport and buy a ticket. He wouldn’t have to deal with me anymore. Tears stung the backs of my eyes, but I fought them back.
Not that I was going to give up on us. Malcolm was way too special for that. I’d give him time to calm down and process my bombshell, and then I’d go see him. I’d apologize again and try to make him understand I never meant to hurt him.
Right now though, I needed to concentrate on avoiding Brad and getting through the next forty-eight hours. It was basically a game of cat and mouse. If he saw me, the jig was up. He’d make a scene and demand to know what I was doing here. It would get back to Malcolm. Finding out that way was even worse than hearing it from me.
I shifted the heavy arrangement in my arms and peeked around the orca’s belly again. Brad and his boyfriend were both complaining about something and poking at their phones. God forbid they’d actually take a moment to appreciate where they were right now.