CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

 

With the big day finally here, everything is all go, go, go, and I’m thankful.

Keeping busy means I’ve had no time to think about what’s going to happen in the future or about leaving Drake. It’s hard to concentrate on what needs doing when all I want to do is curl up in a ball and cry.

When I woke up this morning, my heart was heavy. Time was of the essence, and I think Drake felt that too.

He made love to me like he knew it was our last time. He was silent as he thrust inside me, his gaze never wavering from mine. It was sweet, tender and slow, like he was in no rush for it to end.

Then again, I wasn’t either.

It was hard to leave him in bed when I had to get ready.

My throat clogs with emotion and tears burn at the back of my eyes. I try to shake myself out of it. All I need is someone to question what’s wrong with me. I don’t know how I’ll react if that does happen. But getting my head on straight is easier said than done. There’s only so much pretending I can do.

“Hey, where do you want me?” Jessica asks. She has her earpiece in, something I’d normally be wearing, and is dressed in our normal black suit attire.

Glad she could make it on such short notice, I force a smile and hand her the clipboard. “They brought in the wrong placemats, so if you could go into the kitchen and see where the ones we ordered are, that would be perfect. I need to see where the white runner is for the aisle. It still hadn’t arrived as of an hour ago.”

“Pagan, we have a problem.”

Worst words you can here in this job.

I turn to Lauren, one of our catering staff. “What’s wrong?”

“Three of the waiters and waitresses haven’t turned up. We’re short-staffed.”

I groan, wondering what else could go wrong today, but then think better of it.

“I’m going to check the placemats. I’ll also get the champagne in the ice buckets and placed on tables. If you need anything else, call me,” Jessica says, picking up on my high stress level. I’m usually calm and collected, but all I want to do is scream at the top of my lungs at how unfair the world can be. Why put Drake and I together if we were only going to end up apart?

Life can seriously suck sometimes.

I nod, watching her go before turning to Lauren. “I have backup staff. The number is on the clipboard in the kitchen. I need you to make sure everyone knows their roles and what tables they’re working. You’ll need to fill in the rest when they arrive.”

She nods, seeming to relax. “Okay, thank you.”

I sweep a hand over my hair, making sure my bun has stayed in place before turning back to the issue I was dealing with before I was interrupted.

“Cain, why aren’t they working?”

He looks up from the table he’s under, shrugging. “I don’t know. I’m going to check in with the owner and see where the—” The lights on the artificial garden trees, which are shaped into hearts, finally light up.

I smile, and this time it’s a real one. It would’ve been a travesty if they hadn’t worked. “Yes! They’re beautiful.”

“Huh?” Cain looks at them confused before something dawns on him. “I didn’t switch the main socket on.”

My smile drops and I want to kick him in the shin. Why the hell Jessica hired him, I’ll never know. He’s supposed to be her tech support, but the only thing I’ve noticed he’s good for is his good looks.

I’ll have to make a mental note to talk to her about him when I’m back home. He’s a liability, and a danger to others and himself if he ever messes up.

“Okay, can you go make sure you turned the outside ones on, please? They’re running from the generator at the side of the house.”

He nods, getting up and dusting his thighs off. “Sure thing.”

Nervous, I follow him outside, making sure he heads in the right direction. He does and I sigh with relief.

I look around the garden, smiling widely at how beautiful everything turned out. We really did do an incredible job. I had our web designer come in and take some pictures for my website. As soon as she gets back, she’ll upload them to our page. I can’t wait to see the finished results; it could mean big things for Salvatore Events.

I sigh in relief when I see the white runner has finally arrived and been put down. It looks perfect between the rows of white fold-out chairs. Metal glass pedestal vases run down the inside of the aisle, all with bouquets of pink and white roses, finished with white bows. They look elegant and enchanting, the pink rose petals running down the side of the runner only complimenting their beauty more.

The wedding arch at the end of the aisle has the same arrangement of roses, tangled in vines and thin white chiffon. The table behind it has two caged doves, ready to be released when the couple finish their vows.

It really is a dream wedding. I can only hope mine will be as special one day.

My gaze shifts over to the doors leading into the ballroom. Tall tables covered in white thick chiffon are lit up from underneath, ready for when the sun goes down and the stars come out. On top of each is an artistic glass vase filled with an array of pink and white flowers and pebbled stones. They’re also on the tables inside, brightening the room gloriously.

The only thing that didn’t pan out was the twinkle lights and white chiffon Pam wanted hanging from the ballroom ceiling. We would need scaffolding to attempt it, so we used the materials for the gazebos outside, making sure to decorate them the same as the wedding arch.

Everything looks incredible.

The only thing left is for the couple to walk down the aisle.

Strong arms wrap around me, a hard body pressing against my back. I breathe Drake in, a small smile on my lips at the same time sadness hits me.

“Hey. You look beautiful,” he whispers, kissing my neck.

“In my uniform?” I ask before leaning my head to the side, moaning as his lips continue along my throat. “Shouldn’t you be doing best man duties?”

“Jesse will understand,” he chuckles, turning me to face him. He pulls me against him, smiling wide as he kisses the tip of my nose. “I miss you.”

“You saw me this morning,” I whisper, feeling a deep pang of guilt for what I’m going to do.

“I’ll never get enough of you,” he tells me adamantly, his gaze never wavering.

He leans down, kissing me deeply as his hand roams down my back, squeezing my arse. I moan, my traitorous body responding to his touch. The need to be closer almost consumes me, and a familiar feeling stirs in the pit of my stomach. Reluctantly I pull away, breathless. Now is not the time to be doing the naughty.

“We need to stop before we get too carried away.”

He smirks down at me, his hands never leaving my backside. “I’m down with the getting carried away part.”

I smack his arm lightly, grinning. I love this side to him, so flirtatious and playful. “Drake.”

“What? You know you want me too.” He grins.

I do. I want him more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my life. I’d happily give up everything to be with him. But he hasn’t once asked me to stay. And the thought of him rejecting me and reminding me that this thing between us was to end when the three weeks were up would be too painful.

“Drake, Pagan, what a pleasant surprise,” Aaron calls out in a sickly-sweet voice. I raise my eyebrows at Drake but he shrugs, seeming as confused by the happy tone in Aaron’s voice as I am.

He’s with a beautiful woman with bright red hair down to her shoulders, looking like a million dollars in a pale green dress that fits her like a glove, showing off her slim, fit silhouette and creamy pale skin. She’s freakishly beautiful.

Far too pretty to be an escort.

Which begs the question, what the hell is she doing with someone like Aaron?

It’s shocking, to say the least. The guy really doesn’t need to send out any warning signals; him opening his arrogant mouth should be enough for anyone to steer clear. Hell, his whole persona screams player.

Drake’s hand tenses in mine. My gaze drifts back to him to see his jaw tight, eyes hard.

“I want you to meet my date for the wedding.” Aaron smiles as he reaches us, holding the woman’s hand like she’s some grand prize.

“Um,” I mumble, unsure what to say. I really didn’t care who he brought to the wedding, or if he turned up or not. Him thinking we would care is kind of awkward.

“Oh, Aaron, we know each other already.” The elegant woman giggles, her whole face transforming into something ugly as she eyes Drake. My heart rate picks up as the animosity between the two increases. “Don’t we, Drake.”

I want to scratch her eyes out when she looks him up and down, licking her lips. When Drake still doesn’t answer, I step forward, reaching out my hand. “Hi. I’m Pagan.”

She looks at my hand, then grins, turning back to Drake. Okay then. Whatever. “Are you not going to say hello? We were once going to get married, so you could at least be polite.”

My gaze snaps away from Drake’s working jaw to… oh my God, it’s Leanne, his ex-girlfriend. Aaron pulls her against him and my teeth grind together at the smug look on his face. He did this on purpose. I can practically see the wheels spinning as he stares at Drake and me with an evil gleam in his eye, smiling smugly.

“Hello, Leanne,” Drake bites out. “I didn’t know you were invited.”

And my fears are confirmed. I squeeze Drake’s hand supportively, and his fingers twitch around mine.

Her catlike smile is wicked when she finally gets a reaction from him, one I think she was expecting. “I wasn’t. I found it disappointing when Bradley mentioned Jesse was getting hitched and I wasn’t informed… or invited. But then I met Aaron here and what do you know? He needed a date for the wedding.”

Aaron grins like he’s won the lottery. “I really did. Such a shame for my plus one to go to waste.”

“What are you really doing here, Leanne? And with this tool!”

Ouch, that hurt. It sounds like he still cares for her. Though the hostility in his voice still registers.

“I’m his date.”

Aaron kisses her temple, seeming pleased with her answer before he smugly smiles at me. I narrow my eyes, pulling my hand away from Drake’s. He doesn’t seem to notice, and that stings.

“Well, it was lovely to meet you, but I have work to get done.”

“You work here?” Leanne asks, acknowledging my presence for the first time.

“No, I’m the event organiser,” I answer, feeling small when she looks revolted.

“I see.”

“Cooey,” Ada sings. I sag with relief when I see her strut outside in her wedding outfit, a simple cream dress that fits her small frame and a matching hat. She looks incredible and at least ten years younger, but then I see her feet and frown.

What the ever-loving hell.

“Ada,” I groan, my eyes never leaving the offending items.

She ignores me, saddling up next to Aaron. “Hey, hot stuff. You ready to escort me to the wedding?”

Aaron clears his throat, choking. “Um, I have a date. Meet―”

“I know who the trollop is.” She sniffs like she smells something rotten, shocking me at her blatant dislike for the woman—not that I can blame her.

“Ada!” Aaron snaps, looking surprised.

“What? She wasn’t invited, and for good reason. When my grandson finds her here and learns you brought her, be prepared. She’s not liked here… at all.”

Aaron actually looks worried for a minute, biting his bottom lip. “But I―”

“Ada, I see you haven’t changed,” Leanne comments sweetly, but there’s venom in her gaze.

Oh dear.

Ada narrows her eyes on Leanne. “Neither have you. Are you here to get your claws into my grandson? Because it’s a waste of time, you know. He’s got taste now. My lovely Pagan is good to him.”

All eyes shoot to me and I take a step back.

“They’re not going to last,” she sneers. “We belong together.”

“No, we don’t,” Drake snaps, stepping to my side like I can protect him, but I’m still a little hurt by his earlier actions.

“What?” Aaron yells, facing her with horror written across his face. “You said you liked me.”

Leanne pats his cheek, batting her eyelashes. “I do. I really do.” He relaxes, buying her lie like the fool he is.

Ada scoffs. “You’re wanted upstairs, Aaron. And if I were you, I’d get rid of the trash before any of my family sees her.”

“Well it was nice speaking to you all,” Aaron rushes out. He places his arm around Leanne’s waist before pulling her towards the house.

After he’s gone, Ada turns to Drake. “Your brother is going to go apeshit when he sees them together. He hates her more than you do.”

“Why?” I blurt out. I know the Donovans are close, but this doesn’t seem like a big enough issue for Jesse to fall out with Aaron over. Not when he’s done other unforgivable things.

Ada rolls her eyes, Drake answering. “Because she tried to seduce him. It was after we broke up. She wanted back in with the family once she realised what a mess she made. Her family cut her off completely after that stunt.”

“Darn tootin’” Ada snaps.

“Okay. This is so bizarre. Do you want me to do something? Ask Shane to escort her out?”

“Yes,” Drake sighs.

“No! I want to see what my grandson will do. Anyway, I came down to tell you the photographer wants some pictures of all the men together.”

“I’ll go up in a sec. I just want to talk to Pagan.”

Ada nods, then goes to turn, but I call her name. “Why are you wearing glittery pumps?”

She lifts her foot, twisting it side to side with a smile on her face. “Exquisite, aren’t they?”

“Um no, they aren’t. Where are the shoes I bought you?”

“Those death traps?”

I roll my eyes at her dramatics. “Yes, those.”

“I threw them in the bin.”

She says it so matter-of-factly, I want to strangle her. “Please tell me you’re lying.”

“I’m not. Check the bins if you don’t believe me.”

“Ada!” I yell, throwing my hands up. “They cost three hundred quid.”

“Thieving bastards.” She walks off, muttering something under her breath.

“Where are you going? I’m not finished.” She waves her hand, ignoring me as she continues on to the house. “I’m going to kill her. Would it hurt her to wear what we put out?”

Drake chuckles, pulling me against him. “Forget about Grams. Are you okay?”

I raise a brow. “Shouldn’t I be asking you that?”

He smiles, kissing my nose, and I melt against him, forgetting all about earlier. “No. I only care about you.”

My heart stills and those damn tears threaten once again. “I’m fine,” I answer softly, too choked up to say much more on the subject. “How are you?”

He chuckles darkly, a shadow crossing his face. “I’m not going to lie—seeing her here is a surprise. I never wanted to see her again. She nearly broke Jesse and Amelia up with her games and nearly broke twenty years of friendship our parents shared. I don’t like her, never will, and I’ll never understand her motives. I’m just sorry for the way I reacted. I guess I was stunned.”

I run my fingers along his jaw, my features softening. “I understand. Hopefully she leaves before Amelia sees her. I can’t have her being upset. It’s her wedding day.”

“I’ll make sure she leaves. Although, I think once Mum sees her, I won’t have to. I’m actually surprised Grams didn’t try to do something just then. She really showed her maturity.”

That makes me pause. I glance nervously to the house, thinking intently. “She wouldn’t do anything today of all days, would she?”

He follows my gaze, shrugging. “Who knows, it’s―”

“It’s Ada, I know,” I mutter, my mind still on the house and what she’s up to. He smiles, pulling me against him once again. “You, mister, need to go upstairs and get the group photos taken. You’re running behind already, and I need the photographer down here to set up.”

“Yes, boss,” he says seriously. “Always working.”

“Always.”

He smiles, kissing me one last time before staring down at me. “Tonight, I need to talk to you about something. We can go to the gardens. Is that okay?”

Knives stab into my chest. If I attempt to speak, I’ll give everything away with the emotions bubbling inside me, so I nod instead, giving him a forced smile as I lean up and kiss him one last time.

Then I watch him walk away, knowing he’s taking my heart with him.