Page 140 of Elevator Pitch

I turn the knob to open the door, and as we exit the closet, she says, “I saw her.”

“Selah?”

“She’s gorgeous.”

“Tell me something I don’t know.” I say confidently as we walk side by side.

“Does she know that you’re in love with her?”

“Yeah, I’m just waiting for her to catch up,” I answer with a wry smile.

“You should get back to her. It’s not a good look that you ran after your ex-wife and left her sitting alone.”

“You’re one to talk. It’s not a good look that you left your fiancé in there waiting and asked to speak to your ex-husband in the middle of your wedding. Not to mention for a conversation we could’ve had at any time during the past decade.”

Her response is cut off when Audrey spots us in the hallway. The flames within her irises could take the entire building down. I open my mouth to cover for Aileen then I think of how badly this looks and the words die on my tongue. She speaks for me, apologizing profusely and saying that she needed to have an important conversation before going down the aisle.

Audrey stares at her with an intensity that could burn holes through her tiny frame and says nothing. Her silence is frightening. The scene becomes more ominous once she turns up her lip and hums a tune. My heart pounds in my chest as she raises her hand slowly and I brace myself. I fear this may be the moment she opts to drag my ex out into the street for a fight as she once said.Isn’t Eric supposed to be around so things like this don’t happen? Where the hell is he?Then to my surprise, her hand stops moving when she simply presses a button on her headset. Her face is still expressionless and her hums come to an abrupt halt when she finally speaks to answer the phone.

“Still no eyes on the bride. If I do find her, she may need makeup. Can someone pay for hair and makeup to stay longer? I haven’t checked the entire venue, but I’m close.” She rolls her eyes as if she’s annoyed with the conversation. “We won’t have another code purple. You have my word,” she says, sizing Aileen up while speaking as if she’s not in front of her. “This bride is not a runner. If she is, I think she knows better than to run fromme.”

Her lips form a sinister smile.

Audrey in work mode is nightmare-inducing.

She parts her lips, nodding as if the person on the other end of the call can see her. Her eyes scan the hall as if she’s looking for something. She nods again before pressing the button on the earpiece to end the call.

She softens her gaze on us.

She asks, “Are we having a wedding today or do I need to go out there and call it off? It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve snuck a bride out. I support you either way because the checks have already been cleared. Your choice, honey.”

She looks at me for reassurance and I nod approvingly.Go to him.

She inhales deeply and smiles back.

She confidently proclaims, “We’re having a wedding today, Audrey. I’d like to marry that incredible man in there.” She points her thumb toward the door. “I just needed to apologize to Greyson first.”

She angles her head towards me and starts crying again. Audrey searches me for answers, and I simply shrug because I don’t have any. Not right now, anyway.

“I’m sorry,” she says again, grabbing my hand and squeezing it gently. She lets it go and tells Audrey she’s ready.

“Come with me,” she orders, taking off in a speed walk, swaying her arms quickly as Aileen follows close behind. I stay rooted to the spot, watching them take off, and Audrey whipsher head back at me and pins me with a glare and mouthswe’ll talk later.

I expected that.

Hums fill the hallway as they descend.

“What the fuck was that about?”

Eric’s tone catches me by surprise. I stand there for a moment to prepare my answer before turning around because I know it doesn’t look good and he will not let up until he gets the truth. He may be Audrey’s bodyguard, but he is protective of all the girls in the same way.

“I can explain.”

“You fucking better.”

69

nobody gets me

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