Page 42 of Love, Rekindled

Catherine takes a step forward. “Yeah, babe.”

There’s a knock on the door and Jackson peeks his head in. “So, I tried to cover the yelling up with music, but...”

“Everyone heard,” I finish.

He nods. “I’m sorry.”

Jackson is a great man, even if he did make my best friend move across the damn country to California. She’s happy. She loves him. And he adores her more than what should be humanly possible. As much as our friendships have changed, it doesn’t matter the miles that separate us, our hearts are still close.

Although, I’m not quite sure I’ll have a heart after this.

For an hour I stood here, waiting, thinking he was going to show up and it would be fine. For two months I’ve been waiting for today. For years I’ve had to hide the fact that as a senior associate I’ve been in a secret relationship with my boss. He was the one who said he wanted to marry me and be a real couple after our last fight.

Turns out he only wanted to shut me up.

My breathing starts to accelerate and I feel like the dress is trying to strangle me.

“It’ll be okay.” Catherine rubs my back. “You’re going to be fine, just take a deep breath.”

“I lost my fiancé and quit my job, I’m…I’m so screwed.”

Ashton nods. “You are totally screwed, but you’ll be okay.”

Leave it to her to be an asshole. My eyes turn to her and I glower. “You need to work on your sympathy, Ash. I’m a lawyer and even I felt that.”

“Yes, but you’re a lawyer with a heart. Also, look who isn’t hyperventilating anymore.”

I flip her off.

“Ignore her,” Catherine cuts in and then slaps Ashton’s shoulder. “We’ll handle everything. Jackson, please get her out the back. I’ll take care of the guests.”

Jackson wraps his jacket around my shoulders and tucks me into his side.

“I’m sorry, Gretchen, he’s an idiot. I’m happy to beat the shit out of him if it would make you feel better.”

I smile at his offer. “Thanks, but I’ll pass for now.”

We get to the car without anyone seeing me. Jackson tucks me into the back, kisses my cheek, and then heads in to help his wife deal with my family, who I can only imagine are losing their minds. They start to pour out, and I sit here with tears streaming, grateful the limo has blacked-out windows, that way, no one can see me fall apart. Mortified and husbandless.

CHAPTER 2

Gretchen

Unemployment doesn’t suit me.

At all.

And it’s only been seven days.

I got a call from Harold yesterday, telling me that he understood my reasons, but if I wanted to reconsider, I was welcome to come back. I told him to fuck off and lose my number.

Then he asked where my notes were.

I sent a photo of the ashes in my fireplace.

“I’m going to head back to California soon,” Catherine says as she organizes the wedding present pile. She opened them all, cataloged them, and has offered to handle getting them sent back.

I think the least I should get is the airfryer, but she says no.

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