Page 6 of Defending A Promise
“She’s right, Riley. This event has gone off without a hitch and I plan to use you for all of Hibiscus Island Country Club’s activities if you’ll be willing.”
“Really?” I’m shocked. He’s a quatrillionaire, as my son would say even though that’s not even a word.
“Really.” He hands me a business card, “Call Mrs. Wilcox and have her schedule a meeting this week or next. I want to get you under contract before someone else snatches you up.”
I take the card and put it in my day planner that I carry around with me as if my life depended on it – because it does. I lose this thing, I lose everything.
I’m just about to thank Ian for the opportunity and trust when I hear yelling coming from the other side of the event in Mia’s Corner shop. “Excuse me.” Taking off in the direction of the yelling and now screaming, I can feel Ian and Mia right behind me. This isn’t good and I need to get this handled immediately.
Pushing the button on my earpiece, “I need security in Mia’s Corner ASAP!”
“On it,” I hear a voice say in my ear.
There are two women basically trying to take the same dress and shred it into pieces to keep it away from the other one. Using my best ‘Mom’ voice, “What is going on here?!”
Neither of them is paying attention to me or letting go of the dress.
“It’s mine! I saw it first. My daughter wants it.”
“Your daughter will look like a cow in it!”
The crowd is growing quickly and now I’m seeing cell phones out to capture the moment. Lovely.
“Ladies, I’m sure we can work this out.” Mia tries to settle the situation, but it escalates quickly.
“Drop it.” A firm, authoritative voice says from behind me. One of the hired police officers demands. “Now.”
“I’ll take that.” Another one of the hired police officers from Hibiscus Harbor police department takes the dress from both of the women. I recognize both of them, but now is not the time for a reunion.
“That’s mine!” The first woman says and attempts to slap Jax across the face and take back the dress.
“Well, that was stupid,” Declan deadpans as he grabs her arms and puts them behind her back and puts cuffs on her.
“I’ll have your job for this! I demand to talk to the Chief right now!”
“You can talk to him once we get you to the police department for processing.”
“Serves you right, bitch!” The second woman taunts her.
“Hey! Shut it or you’re going with her for causing a disturbance,” Jax tells her and she takes him at his word.
Jax hands me the dress, which is now in ruins. “Hey Riley.”
I give him a small wave as I look over at Declan who has the woman in cuffs. His eyes look up and a whole host of emotions cross his face as recognition appears.
I give Declan a small wave as well, but he just walks the now yelling woman to the police car.
“Do you want to press charges, Mia?” Jax asks her but she shakes her head.
“No. It’s fine.”
My business sense kicks in, and we need a distraction pronto. I push my earpiece, “Get the caterer out here with the cake and the waiters with more champagne.”
“On it.” I hear in my earpiece and just like a well-oiled machine, my caterers and waiters distract the attendees with a beautiful cake in the life-sized shape of a wedding dress.
The ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ have everyone forgetting the commotion and back to the festivities, thankfully.
As everyone is focused on the cake, I’m focused on where Declan and Jax went. Not so much Jax – he was always a goofball – but Declan. I’ve been back in town for a few months and haven’t reached out. Life has been crazy, but seeing him now… I had no idea my body would react to him this way.
