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“Hmm. Sounds like someone else I know,” Carson teases.
I move back to my vanity to look over my makeup one last time. “For good reason…I also promised you and Oliver I wasn’t out sowing my oats. That’s rather generous of me.”
I laugh at the growl that echoes in my ear. “Calm down, you’re like a feral animal. I need to finish getting ready and head to the valley.”
Carson sighs. “I’ll have my phone on me all night, okay? Call me for anything.”
His consideration makes me swoon, and I’m glad he can’t see the goofy smile on my face. “Thanks,” I tell him sincerely.
“I think you’re incredible for even going. No one would blame you if you didn’t.”
I don’t say anything because I don’t feel incredible. I feel tired and geared up for another battle. “I’ll talk to you later, Carson. Thanks for checking in with me.”
“Always, beautiful.”
Handing the valet my keys, I shift uncomfortably to the side and glance down the empty path to the vineyard. Nick was supposed to meet me out here, but no one was waiting when I pulled up. Fiddling with my phone, I only wait for another moment before deciding to walk in alone.
Standing tables are scattered throughout the lobby, guests lingering around them with a glass in their hand. I stand to the side of the entrance, not recognizing anyone there. The doubt of me coming today crawls up my throat, suffocating me as embarrassment burns my ears.
“Are you Jenica?” a voice asks beside me.
I frown at the unfamiliar man. He looks like a member of the staff. “Yeah?”
He smiles. “I’ve been told to guide you to the family suite.”
Hating the relief that sails through me, I nod and follow him up the stairs. He leads me to a hallway of doors before stopping at the end and opening the door for me.
My stomach drops as soon as I enter the room and I see the man waiting for me on the other side.
“What do you want, Jared?” I ask.
“I just wanted to talk to you one more time.”
“What else could there possibly be to say?”
His eyes drag down the length of my body, and I suppress a shiver. I don’t notice the cold, malicious sneer forming on his face. His lips tilt up at one corner. “I actually wanted to say thank you.”
“Thank you?” I repeat.
“Yes,” he says as he turns away from me to face the mirror, straightening his tie. “I’ve taken the past few months to realize I wanted more than you were willing to give me. While it might’ve been an unfortunate situation that got us to this point, we’re both better off, don't you agree?”
A singular eyebrow raises on his face as he locks his gaze with mine through the mirror.
“I think I would’ve been stuck with you if I weren’t given the opportunity to realize I could do better,” he continues.
Bile rises in my throat the longer he speaks. I’m not sure if he’s being purposely cruel, or if he truly believes every word he’s saying. The irony is that he’s right. Not that I’m not good enough for him, but he's never been good enough for me. And while I find it aggravating that he believes such a thing, I can’t hold back my laugh.
I shake my head and smile. “Good for you, Jared. If you thought I was attending your wedding because some delusional part of your brain thinks I want you back then let's break that fantasy right here.”
I step back, closer to the door. “I only came to get closure on this chapter of my life and move on. If I hadn’t shown up, it would’ve been a bigger deal to my family than it is to me. You two deserve each other.”
"And you deserve to be alone like the frigid bitch that you are," he retorts. His nostrils flare with his annoyance.
I grip the handle of the door and open it. “Next time you have an urge to talk to me, don’t. I could’ve gone without all this before you joined my sister at the altar.”
I don’t wait for a reply as I leave the room, each step away from him fueled by a hateful fury like I first felt when he betrayed me. When I make my way back through the lobby of the vineyard, arms catch around my waist and I’m turned into a hard chest, and the familiar musk of Keegan relaxes my muscles.
“Where are you rushing off to, baby doll?” he asks with a laugh.
