“I love you.” He whispers.
“Always.”
Epilogue
Sidney
2 months later
“Are they ever going to be over this?” I ask, reading the headline on the magazine as we drive toward the chapel where Thea is getting married today.
Our city’s most eligible bachelor now engaged to small business owner, Sidney Adams.
Noah chuckles, “Apparently we’re having a slow news day.”
“You’re telling me,” I dump the magazine into the back of the car, looking forward to the van we hired ahead with all the supplies to get set up. The hotel where the reception is being held is already completely decked out, with the arrangements in place ready forguests when they arrive. We have four hours to get the arch and aisle done and also deliver the bouquets to the bridesmaids and the bride herself.
I really thought it was going to be called off.
I’ve seen Thea a few times over the past couple of months, both for this wedding and as friends, and each time, the way she looks at Tripp has grown more heated. The tension between them could be cut with a knife. That man is down bad for her, and anyone with eyes can see it.
It makes me a little sad for my new friend. Jared, her fiancé, leaves a lot to be desired. I’ve only met him once, but that was enough to tell me whatever they have between them is strictly business. Despite the fact that we’ve only recently become close as friends, Thea deserves love and happiness.
Showbiz.That’s what she told me the one time I brought it up.We’ve got to do what we’ve got to do to keep the vultures happy.
She’d dropped the conversation there, and I’d respected her need to bury it, but the pain of it is written all over her face.
We follow the van beneath the wrought-iron arch that leads to the parking lot behind the chapel, where we get out and unload, moving the flowers and other bits inside. The frame for the arch was delivered yesterday since I outsourced it, so we’re ready to go the moment we have everything unpacked.
For the next four hours, we decorate. Flowers at the end of each row, petals on the long white carpet leading to the altar, and the arch that’s sitting right behind it.Thea is going to love it. The colors and vibrancy look incredible against the softer, more neutral tones of the feathers and grass; little silk bows popped in between.
When I’m happy with it, I go in search of Thea, who’s getting ready in the boutique room they have here at the chapel for brides. Knocking once on her door, I wait for her voice to call me and then step inside, finding her sitting in front of a large vanity mirror with mascara tracks down her cheeks.
She’s completely alone, not a single bridesmaid in here with her.
“Thea?” I rush over, checking her to make sure she isn’t hurt before I meet her eyes.
“I don’t want to do this, Sidney.” She speaks quietly, her voice breaking. “I really don’t.”
My eyes widen. “What do you want to do?”
“I want to leave.”
“Then we leave.” I don’t hesitate. If she needs to be out of here, then I’m getting her out.
“How?” She swats at her tears.
“Where’s Tripp?” I ask.
Another sob rattles through her. “He told me he would get me out of here, I just needed to ask him.”
“Okay?” I coax her to continue.
“I told him I didn’t need him. That this is what I wanted and that he needed to leave. So he did.”
“Shit,” I hiss, pulling out my cell and bringing up Noah’s contact.Find Tripp.That’s all I send to him knowing he’ll do exactly what I ask.
“There’s so many people coming,” Thea goes on, “The press are going to be here! What is the label going to say? If I leave, I could be ruined.”
