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“If you don’t get this before arriving, well… I’ll wait here and maybe we can tell our guests together. I’m sorry, Gregory. I really am.” I ended the call, feeling confident I’d done the right thing.
“Brilliant, girl!” Jessica stated, giving me a high five.
Brilliant.
I wasn’t certain what the repercussions would be, but it was time I stopped living a lie.
Five minutes passed.
Another ten.
When I heard the knock on the door, I took a deep breath before nodding toward Amelia, who immediately allowed the guest inside.
“I’m sorry to bother you, Stephanie, but your guests are becoming… concerned.”
The minister had been very nice, although I’d only talked with him for a few minutes. “He’s not coming.” I said the words without emotion because there was no sadness. However, within seconds anger began to rise from the depths of my being. How dare the motherfucker do this to me? At least he could have had the courage to come face to face. The humiliation was disgusting, and the man was reprehensible.
He seemed shocked by my calm admittance. “I’m certain there’s just a small problem.”
“No, it’s a very large problem because the man is an asshole.” My words floated across the room through the open door as the anger turned to rage. The look on the minister’s face was priceless.
“I think you should call him.” He was uncomfortable as hell.
“He’s had plenty of time.” I gathered up my ridiculous train, tossing it over one arm. “It’s about time I take control of everything.” I gave the girls a look. Then I winked. “However, we’re still going to have one hell of a party.” As I headed out of the dressing room, a quiet calm settled in.
I might feel humiliated for a little while, but in the end, I would get over it.
CHAPTER2
Stephanie
“Woo hoo!” Jessica squealed as she moved around the dance floor, her fourth drink in her hand.
At least watching my friends have a great time allowed me to feel better. I remained sitting near the bar, amazed that so many of the guests had decided to attention the reception turned girl-with-a-broken-heart-blowout. Of course there’d been whispers in the shadows, eyes watching me, waiting for me to fall apart.
Fuck them.
At least I hadn’t been forced to wear the freaking dress Gregory’s mother had insisted on for an additional five minutes after the announcement. I’d rushed back to the hotel in the limo with my friends to change. I’d sweet talked the very handsome driver to play rock and roll music as loud as he could tolerate while we were indulging in copious amounts of champagne. I didn’t think he minded, his heated gaze flicking into the rearview mirror on several occasions.
My selection for the festive after-the-revelation event? A shocking red body-hugging dress that left very little to the imagination. Now I was indulging in the most expensive bottle of cabernet on the menu. At least I only had to slide into the elevator, heading for one of the suites on the top floor after I had my fill of dancing and small talk.
“You know what I think?” Suzi stated as she slid into the chair next to me.
“Should I be afraid to ask?”
Her laugh could always make me smile. “Don’t be silly. I think you should pick out one of the very handsome men and take him to your room.”
“Ha!” Even though I acted as if I wasn’t interested, I glanced around the expansive ballroom, noticing at least three handsome hunks that might be a delicious present to myself.
What are you thinking? That’s not you.
No, that wasn’t the girl I’d been. However, things had changed.
“We shall see how the night goes.”
Suzi lifted a single eyebrow, her stubborn look something I was used to. “Nope. That’s exactly what you need. Let me see what the girls and I can do.”
She moved away before I had a chance to stop her. I took another sip, finally getting to my feet.
