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He doesn’t answer for a while, and right when I’m about to set my phone down and get back to work, the usual chime of my notifications is replaced by my ringtone.
Gabriel’s calling me. Butterflies take flight low in my belly at the sight of his name flashing across my screen.
“Hello,” I answer.
“Are you fucking with me?” I can hear the annoyance in his voice. “You just said you didn’t want to get married at the Juniper, but then seconds later you said you do. If the Juniper is not to your liking, I’ve also put deposits down at the Four Seasons, the Ritz-Carlton, and the Carlisle. We can also have the wedding at the estate. You choose and pick a date this month.”
“You’re going to let me pick?” I ask.
“Yes. Choose whatever you want and I’ll be there to say, ‘I do.’ Just plan the whole thing with whatever you want.”
Since choosing not to get married isn’t an option, I answer, “Two weeks. Saturday at the Juniper. You can cancel the other dates.”
“Done.”
The finality of his one word resonates in my bones as I hang up the phone and set it on the counter. I’ve never hyper-ventilated, but this must be what it feels like. I breathe in through my nose and slowly out of my mouth. In two weeks it will be official. I’ll be Clementine Prince.
When I have some semblance of calm, I plate three slices of cake—traditional vanilla, red velvet, and pink champagne—blocking out the fact I now have to do this for myself.
When I return, Darla is gone, and Jordan and Erin chatter away at the front counter.
“Where’s Darla?” I ask, setting the samples on the counter.
“Outside. She got a phone call from the Juniper. They had some openings,” Jordan says. “I should check on her.”
He gives Erin a half smile before heading toward the door.
“You and Jordan looked cozy,” I say to Erin, once he’s out of the shop.
“We were just catching up,” she says, avoiding my eyes.
I run a hand down her back and say in a soft voice, “Erin, he’s getting married.”
“I know.” Her face isn’t happy about the fact that he is. “But, not everyone getting married is in love. Look at you and Gabriel.”
“I think Gabriel and I are a unique situation,” I say, gently.
“I know.” She blows out a breath. “I’ve just always had a thing for Jordan.”
“I know you have.”
“And he’s not happy with her.”
“Erin, you don’t know that.”
“I just wish things were different,” she says.
I give her a hug. Sometimes, life isn’t fair. I know all about wishing things were different. Unfortunately, wishes don’t always come true.
Chapter 16
Gabriel
Most of the time, people come to me when I need something. Today is one of the rare instances where I’m too impatient to wait. My private jet lands at the Dubai airport, and I charter a helicopter to take me to Dean Maddox’s man-made private island off the coast.
He couldn’t just buy a house somewhere exotic, no, he had to have an entire island. I get it, though. When you’re in his line of work, privacy is important. And so is me speaking to him about the wedding.
After the helicopter lands, I exit and walk to where Dean stands near the helipad on his little oasis. “Must be something pretty important for you to fly all the way out here.”
