“Tessa,” Barb yelled, hammering on the bedroom door, “we have to talk. Right now.”
I glimpsed at the time—5 a.m. Placing my laptop on the bed, I stumbled toward the door, opening it a crack to block the hallway light from blinding me.
“Can’t it wait?” I asked, my voice scratchy from lack of sleep.
“No.” A lit cigarette dangled from Barb’s lips, the smoke curling upward. Bruised shadows beneath her eyes made her look like she’d spent the night in a boxing ring. “You’re lucky I didn’t wake you earlier. But after yesterday’s drama, I assumed you needed sleep.”
“I wasn’t sleeping. What’s so urgent?”
Barb thrust the bedroom door open, pushing me out of the way. “The wedding’s off.”
When I could string together coherent words, they came out pinched and on the verge of hysteria. “Off? Why?”
“Violet thinks the snow and all the problems getting here are a sign from a greater power that she shouldn’t marry Archer. I should have known she’d pull this kinda crap. Can you believe this?”
“No.” An iced-over snowball of realization hit my stomach, and I slid down the doorjamb to the floor.
“I’m too old for this.” Barb inhaled deeply, removed the cigarette from her lips, and clamped it between her fingers. She closed her hands around my biceps and hauled me up from the floor, her steely eyes glinted dangerously. “I already have one deranged woman on my hands, and I don’t need another.”
Panic bubbled in my throat, but I swallowed hard, not allowing it to take control. Barb eased her grip, and between half-laughing and sobbing, I managed to pull in enough air to speak. “W-what about the guests, the food?” My voice rose several octaves. “The other suppliers are going to lose a fortune.”
“Stop it.” Barb snapped, her smoker’s rasp rustier than ever. “Everyone’s getting paid. No one’s lost anything. As for the guests, Violet already told most of them before I had a chance to. Thank God it was only fifty people. Can you imagine if it’d been a thousand? We got off easy if you ask me.”
“Easy?” I dragged my hands through my knotted hair. “You might be used to having your time wasted by a spoiled brat with no respect for anyone or anything. I’m not. Everyone might get paid, but what about the exposure and future business this wedding would’ve brought? I’ve been counting on it.”
“Get over yourself.” Barb’s face twisted. “While you were moping about your lost love, I sent out a press release that explains everything. When you’re ready to pull on your big girl panties and act professionally, go check your email.”
Barb walked out in a curl of smoke, leaving me feeling like I was the spoiled brat. I scurried to the bed and checked my emails, searching for Barb’s press release.
For immediate release:
Global movie star Violet Hale would like to put rest to the rumors that she and Archer Parks are to marry on Christmas Eve. While a wedding was due to take place at the picturesque Oak Castle in County Donegal, Violet and Archer have parted ways. Although they are no longer in a relationship, they remain close friends and ask you to respect their privacy during this difficult time. Violet would like to thank Tessa Maken from Maken Memories and Keegan Devlin from Devlin Events for all of their efforts in planning what would surely have been a fairytale day.
Had Barb been in the room, I would’ve kissed her feet. My business was safe, and since she’d mentioned the castle, Brendan wouldn’t have to worry either. A vortex of relief and regret spiraled inside of me. If I’d kept my mouth shut, then Keegan would be here celebrating with me. But that wouldn’t take away his involvement with Shane. Nothing would.
After dressing, I packed up my belongings and fired off emails canceling all suppliers. The roads were still too icy to drive, so I planned to stay at the castle and work until noon. Perhaps when I got back to my flat, I’d unpack my boxes and attempt to make my apartment some sort of home.
On my way to find Brendan to say goodbye, I saw several people I didn’t know scurrying around the foyer.
Brendan hurried toward me, rosy excitement glowing on his face.
“What’s going on?” I asked.
“The media want to see where the wedding was going to take place. The phone’s been blowing up. Barb says I should allow one paparazzo in, and she’ll take care of selling the photo rights worldwide. By the way, there’s still going to be a wedding tomorrow.”
“Did Violet change her mind?” Hope swirled within me, but I willed myself not to get flustered. “I swear I don’t think I have the stamina to deal with a high-profile wedding again. We’ll have to pull the press release, but I’m sure Barb is on that. I’ll call Tyrone. Tell him to bring the food, and I—”
“Slow down, woman, will you?”
Confused, I shook my head. “I can’t slow down. The guests. I have to make sure the rest of the rooms are ready, and you need to make sure the staff we’d hired can come in, and—”
“Tessa, sweetheart.” He dug his hands into his pockets, a sheepish expression on his face. “I’m getting married.”
“You?”
“Aye.” He grinned. “Barb and me.”
I dropped down onto one of
