Page 48 of Delay of Game

After a while, Olivia says, “Are you and Jordan okay?”

“I think so. I’ve been really harsh on him, but he was really helpful yesterday.”

“Maybe it’s time to hear him out,” she says, her green eyes watching me closely for a reaction.

I sigh and nod. “Yeah, maybe.”

When I arriveat the vineyard ahead of everyone else, the venue is a disaster of massive proportions.

Okay, maybe it’s notthatbad, but the balloons are not set up around the arch by the entryway like I was promised they wouldbe. And the tables have nothing on them except for linen. All the decorations I brought over yesterday are still in bins. The venue coordinator was supposed to set them all up. The guestbook is missing too, and I’m on the verge of tears.

I hold my breath, trying not to panic. This will set me back long enough that people will arrive and the tables won’t be ready. Nothing is going as expected, and I can’t focus enough to formulate a plan. I need help.

I bite my lip and pull out my phone, calling the one person I’ve been doing my best to avoid this week. He did offer to help. I just hope he’s up for the challenge.

“Al?” he asks in that deep voice of his.

“I need help,” I cry, my tears giving in almost instantly.

Jordan patiently listens to my rambling and calmly says, “I’m on my way.”

CHAPTER 17

Two Years Ago – June

Jordan

When we getto the event space at the winery, my first priority is to find Alice. The space has a few people setting up the stage and instruments for the band, but she’s nowhere in sight.

“Okay, let’s split up,” I say, looking at the group of people I dragged out here early to help. All of us are in the wedding party, so I’m hoping we can wrap up in time for the pictures.

“What do we need to do?” Eli asks.

Shit, I don’t know. She mentioned something about the decorations and balloons on the phone, but I really just need to find her.

“I’m assuming those balloons need to be tied to the arch,” Alex says, pointing at the balloons on the table and all the supplies laid out.

“We can take that task on,” his wife, Malia, says, already marching over there.

“Okay, thanks,” I blow out a breath, nodding appreciatively at Alex. He gives me an imperceptibly small smile back and follows his wife. Thank god. I wouldn’t even know where to start on the balloon arch.

“There are boxes near that wall,” Ash points out, taking off his backpack.

I frown at him. “Why did you bring a backpack?”

“For supplies,” he says matter of fact, reaching in and pulling out three walkie-talkies.

Eli laughs and says, “Where did you even find those?”

“What? Alice had them in her room, I figured she wanted to use them.” He hands me one and runs over to Alex, handing him the other.

He keeps the third one for himself and speaks into it. “Operation Save the Wedding is a go.” Ash smirks at me, and Eli shakes his head at his boyfriend’s antics. He presses the button once more and says, “This is the Love Guru. Over. And. Out.”

We all laugh, and I let Ash and Eli handle the decorations while I go looking for Alice. I knock at the women’s bathroom door and look around the entire building before finding her outside, sitting on the ground with her back against the building.

“Hey,” I say gently, lowering myself next to her. Alice wipes her cheeks and looks at me, her bottom lip wobbling.

“I’m fucking this up, aren’t I?” she whispers, and I shake my head, bringing my arm around her, pulling her into my side.

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