AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“We’re leaving,” he says in a low tone. “It’s Arietta’s grandfather. He collapsed this morning.”
“Oh no.” My right hand leaps to my mouth. “Is Vernon okay?”
I only met Vernon Greenwalt once at a Calvetti family luncheon a few weeks after Dominick and Arietta announced their engagement. I know how important he is to my future sister-in-law and how much he cherishes her. He told a couple of adorable stories about Arietta during lunch.
“He’s at the hospital,” he explains. “He was in Manhattan on business and stayed for the weekend to see a couple of off-Broadway plays.”
I nod, even though I’m a little surprised that Vernon would be interested in theater. He strikes me more as the type who likes to count his money as a hobby.
“Bella and Barrett will travel with us,” he goes on, “I didn’t know what your plans were for today…whether you have commitments you need to fulfill to your sponsors.”
“I want to come with you,” I say in an effort to escape whatever the hell happened between Lawton and me last night.
I vaguely remember us exchanging vows, but everything after that is fuzzy.
We’re both still clothed. We didn’t consummate anything. We couldn’t have.
Dominick kisses my forehead. “I’ll book you a seat on our flight. Be ready to go in an hour, Gina. I need you in the lobby in an hour.”
“I’ll be there.” I grab his forearm to keep him in place. “Please tell Arietta I love her, and I’m here for her.”
“I will.” He embraces me again, cradling the back of my head in his hand. “She loves you too, Gina. We both do.”
As I step back from the hug, he glances down the corridor. “You weren’t the only one missing in action this morning.”
I know where this is headed, but still, I play dumb. “What?”
His gaze drops to the phone in his hand. “I can’t find Daniel, but that’s not surprising. He probably hooked up with someone. I left him a message telling him we’re heading home. He’ll understand.”
I nod. “I’m sure he will.”
He taps the face of his watch. “Get ready. I don’t want to be late for the flight. We need to get back to New York now.”
I’m all for that. I need to feel familiar ground under my feet so I can figure out what the hell I’ve done and what I need to do to end my marriage as soon as possible.
CHAPTERFIFTEEN
Daniel
I got married lessthan twelve hours ago, and my wife already left me.
I can’t say that I’m surprised.
She’s a Calvetti, and when one of them needs anything, they all step up to help.
Seeing as how Arietta Voss is already considered a cherished member of the family, I’m not surprised that every Calvetti in Vegas is headed back to Manhattan.
I finally rolled over in bed when I heard my phone signaling about a hundred missed messages. It was still in the pocket of my suit jacket, which was folded neatly over the back of a chair next to Gina’s bed. I swear I dropped it on the floor as soon as we made it into her suite last night.
That’s an exaggeration, but Dominick did call me four times and left just as many voicemails. Add to that the dozen text messages he sent me. By the time I finally looked at my phone, I suspect they were piling into a car to take them all to the airport.
I shot him a quick text message and waited for his reply before I called the airline.
Being abandoned in Vegas by your best friend is one thing, but when your wife bails on you, too, you have a choice.
You can accept the inevitable and set the wheels in motion for the annulment that you know is in your future, or you can chase her down and get your ass on the same flight that she’s on.
I know I’m the last to board because the gate agent is tossing me a look that tells me I need to up my pace.
