Page 13 of Falling Hard
For some of us, it was a nightmare.
"Oh, you two already picked a venue?" Dad asked.
The future Mrs. Luke Forrester spoke with excitement. "Months ago, I attended a wedding at a castle in the suburbs. Now that it’s my turn, I couldn't imagine getting married anywhere but there. We need to put a deposit down ASAP. I'll go tomorrow."
"When's the wedding?" Dad asked, clearly with no plans to work today.
"Next spring. That's the only time my father can come from France. I'd never get married without him there."
He nodded. "Can't wait to see it. You girls continue the rest of your conversation. I have to run."
Seemingly forgetting the reason he came to my office—other than placing me in a more awkward spot—Dad left. I stood, needing an intermission from the performance. "Solemn, I was heading out for lunch when you stopped by. If that's all, I'm leaving to grab a bite."
"Oh. I'm so sorry. Yes, I really appreciate everything you’re doing for us."
"Don't thank me yet. I haven't done anything," I said, then grabbed my purse and made a run from my own office. I was like Cinderella, worried that the magic would wear off any minute and I wouldn’t be able to stop myself from showing her who I really was. Quickly, I arrived at the elevator, eager to put as much space between us as possible.
Once outside, I shook my head at Hopeton. I didn’t want a drive. I needed to walk and, most importantly, think. This wasn'tonly about me, although I did have a habit of making things about me. I was helping Luke. What grown woman wanted to get married in a castle? Was she a fucking princess? Obviously, the bitch had plans to bankrupt Luke, and I had to do my part as best friend to stop her. Lifting my phone, I called my secretary.
"There are five castles used for weddings in New York. Book all of them."
Denise asked what I assumed she might. "For when?"
"Spring next year," I said. As a second thought, I added, "And summer."
"Huh? You want to book these venues for every day during both spring and summer next year? For what?"
Now that she said it like that, it sounded crazy, but Luke was worth sparing no expense. "Book them for every weekend in spring. I should be able to get rid of her by then."
"Olivia, I'm a bit confused. What will we use them for?"
What was she, my accountant? "Just do it. I'll use them for company events later. Tell the marketing team to use them."
"Whatever you say. You're the boss."
I hung up, and just like that, my appetite returned. I'd been going about it all wrong. I'd sabotage this damn wedding at every turn, and if that didn’t work, I would push Solemn in front of traffic before I watched her marry Luke.
5
I'M OVER ALL THE HEARTACHE
By Saturday,I was in a better place, so I accompanied the other bitches to a food festival in Tribeca. It was just what I needed. With beer in one hand and grilled meat on a stick in the other, I was able to relax and enjoy my girlfriends, even if Luke had been the topic of conversation ALL morning. It didn’t shake me because I had everything planned out.
"Olivia, be serious. You’re wasting money," Demetria said, as if she helped my family earn some of it, and it hurt her personally.
"Demetria, leave it. She’s hurting," Mei said, and it annoyed the heck out of me.
"I'm fine. It’s Luke you guys should give your sympathy to; he's the one acting strange."
Alex wrapped an arm around my shoulder, and we continued down the streets lined with food vendors on both sides.
"Girl, just invite Luke over today, answer the door butt naked, and fuck the idea of him marrying that bitch straight out of his head," Alex said, nudging me.
The four of us broke into laughter, our voices rising above the clatter of food stalls and the hum of the crowd. Demetria nearlydropped her skewer, Mei doubled over, and I had to grab her arm to keep from bumping into a man juggling plates of tacos.
"I can't sleep with Luke, that would ruin the friendship."
Now Alex looked at me in that same sympathetic way. Then she looked at the others. "Liv, cut the shit. If you aren't doing all of this to end up with Luke yourself, do you think he won't rebound with another woman?"
