Page 1 of Her Ex's Father
Chapter 1
Maddie
Where is my goddamn fiancé?
The engagement party takes place in a barn, but it’s far from country-chic.
The early spring air is filled with the scent of cedar and lavender. It’s also deceptively cold, and towering heaters are spaced throughout the outdoor area.
I take a deep breath, pause at the double-door entrance, and take it all in.
Cream-colored silk covers most surfaces, warmth added from the oiled pine walls. Daylight spills in through the framed windows. Through them I can see guests mingling on the back patio—the one my dad paid double for when he decided at the last minute he didn’t like the shade of stone.
Anemones, peonies, and daisies burst from vases everywhere my eye lands. It’s beautiful, and the light string orchestra at the head of the barn adds to the timelessness of the atmosphere.
If only the goddamn groom would show.
“Looking for your fiancé, dear?” Aunt Bea quips with a hand on my shoulder. I politely shrug it off and give her a placid smile.
“I just wanted to take a moment to appreciate all the hard work that went into this evening,” I answer smoothly, glancing at the staff—who I work with side-by-side, day in and day out.
It’s strange, feeling so removed from them now. Sofia, manager of our tasting department, skirts by with a tray of canapés. Seeing her crisp white button-down and tailored trousers, all purchased for this occasion, makes me want to cringe.
But everyone is watching.
Watchingme,specifically.
Because the large, floral-encrusted sign in front of the barn says, “Welcome to the Engagement Celebration of Derrick Bronson & Madeline Clarke.
Love, laughter, and happily ever after starts here.”
And Derrick Bronson is nowhere to be seen. I scour the room again and ignore Aunt Bea, whose eyes flash with annoyance and the promise that she’ll get back at me—with gossip, her weapon of choice. She heads off in the direction of the open bar, chin high and ready to whisper, “Do you think he’ll show? Maddie is delusional, as always.”
I smooth down the front of the champagne dress I’m wearing, tight across the bodice thanks to the bow at the back. Beneath the bow my back is exposed, down to a dip just above my ass. A slit up the thigh shows more skin than I’m comfortable with, but I can’t complain; usually I get to wear flannel and jeans.
I promised my parents I wouldmake this work.
Too bad they didn’t get the same promise out of Derrick.
A familiar laugh nearby draws my attention. I dart toward Stella and slip my hand into hers, pulling her toward a darkened corner with an apologetic smile to the guests she was talking to.
“Have you seen Mom and Dad?”
“Um, have you seen yourfiancé?”
“I’m aware,” I mutter, glancing over my sister’s shoulder, “that he isn’t here. Maybe I’ll get lucky.”
Her brows raise. “Really, Mad? We both know that this could be a lot worse than Derrick Bronson. You want them to give you the chance to match you with someone else?”
“Fair point.”
People started arriving 45 minutes ago. The food is beginning to come out, and I waited as long as I could. Would it be the worst-case scenario if I ditched my own engagement party?
But Stella is right—Derrick Bronson, at least, is only a year older than me and relatively attractive. If you’re into the kind of guy who looks like he has no body hair and laughs at kids scraping their knees and crying.
Still, I’d prefer to see him right now than not. “What would being stood up byhimsay about me?” I lament as Stella slips an arm around my waist in a loose hug.
“Psh. It would say more about him than you, Maddie. Derrick Bronson would be an idiot to stand you up. I’m sure he’ll show.”
