Page 10 of Chasing I Do
“Then I will bring you a slice for tomorrow.” Before her daughter could come up with yet another reason to prolong bedtime, Darcy added, “If you are a good girl and go to bed for me.”
Quivering stopped and Kylie gave Jillian a big smack to the lips. “Night, Auntie.”
“Night, sugar,” Jillian said. “Make sure Sam is getting ready too.”
“Sammy,” Kylie called, dragging out his name from two to nine syllables. “It’s bed time.”
Darcy waited until she heard heels clacking hard enough against the wood floors to leave marks, then let out a breath. “Thanks for staying the night. You’re a lifesaver.”
“My pleasure. Sam needed a playdate that didn’t involve videogames, plastic guns, or tackle.”
“Tackle football?”
“No, just tackle.” Jillian shrugged. “Boys, they’re a different breed.”
Didn’t she know it.
Darcy took a seat in the rocking chair next to her friend, and watched the people across the lake dance and hug and mingle, as if nothing could come between them. As if the only emotion in that moment was hopeful joy.
It was why Darcy loved weddings so much. They were the day when everything was perfect, and everyone was connected through love.
“I heard you had a problem with the aisle runner earlier,” Jillian said.
“I called the nursery and replaced the runner with a blanket of pink and cream petals.” It had cost her a small fortune, and she was sure to take a loss on the flowers, but the bride had been thrilled. “I found out who the celebrity wedding was for.”
“Oh. My God.” Jillian’s brows shot up. “Who is it?”
“I’m not supposed to say, the magazine swore me to confidentiality.”
“Only so that they could have one of their interns unintentionally spill the news at the right moment, so it will start a media frenzy to get everyone talking about the wedding of the year. A million readers anxiously awaiting the exclusive photos in their magazine.” Jillian motioned with her hand to bring it. “Let me be the insider who spills.”
“I can’t say.”
“It’s one of the Hemsworth brothers, isn’t it?” Darcy shook her head and Jillian squealed. “It’s Scott Eastwood. Please tell me it’s Scott Eastwood?”
“No.” Darcy bit her lower lip. “It’s Rhett Easton.”
Shock filled her friend’s face, followed by sympathy. “Oh, honey, Kyle’s brother? What are the odds of that happening?”
“One in a billion.” She slumped down in her chair. “I keep looking for the hidden cameras, because this has to be some cruel joke. There is no way that I finally get the opportunity to secure mine and Kylie’s future, and it all comes down to an Easton.” A bad taste formed in her mouth. “Karma can suck it.”
“What did he say? Did he smell like wall-banging sex? I heard he’s into wall sex. Which makes sense, the man is too sexy to want to do it someplace ordinary like a bed. Oh!” Jillian clapped. “Please tell me be brought his fiancée? I always wondered if her boobs were real.” Jillian looked down at her own boobs and cupped them. “They have to be fake, they defy gravity.”
“Rhett didn’t come. He sent his brother Gage.”
“Oh no,” Jillian said, placing a hand over Darcy’s, because she knew the whole story, knew that getting sucker punched by Gage would hurt the most.
“He seemed as surprised to find me here as I was him. So at least being blindsided wasn’t some sick joke,” she said in a voice that she hoped came off as nonchalant. She left out the part that she’d flirted with him a little before she’d realized who it was. “Needless to say, it didn’t go well.”
“He canceled the wedding?” Jillian said fiercely. “What a jerk.”
“No, I canceled it.” Andyes, he’d been a jerk.
“What? Why? He’s marrying Stephanie Stone. The exposure alone would be amazing for you.” Jillian’s voice became velvet steel. “Don’t let Kyle ruin this moment for you, not when that income could make all the difference in your career. You’ve built something amazing here that deserves to host amazing weddings.”
That was the only reason Darcy had even considered calling him back. This wasn’t just about her and Kylie anymore, she now had fifteen employees and small business owners counting on her to make this venue a success. Not to mention a loan from the bank that needed to be paid back.
“I can’t do an Easton wedding here. It would be uncomfortable and awkward, and just thinking about seeing Margo makes me nauseous.” The throbbing in her head returned. “I’ve worked so hard to give Kylie a happy and safe place to grow up. I won’t risk that for just one wedding.”
