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Why am I doing her favors, staying away from Gabriel when she cares so little about all this? Why can’t she see what a good catch he is, how lucky she is to get to marry him?
I throw my phone down on the couch, biting the inside of my cheek so I won’t scream aloud. The unfairness of this all is unbelievable. I finally meet this amazing guy - one who actually seems to like me too - and he’s taken by someone who doesn’t appreciate him the least bit.
You know what I’m going to do? I’m calling her and giving her a piece of my mind.
I swipe my phone back up and navigate to Serena’s contact info, punching the green phone icon, then pace the length of my couch, waiting to hear what she has to say for herself.
After three rings she picks up with a tentative, “Hello?”
“Why are you canceling?” I demand, too worked up to really think it through. Maybe I should have planned this out a little better.
“An emergency board meeting was called for my foundation.”
Ugh, why does she have to have such a reasonable answer? Wait-Herfoundation? “You have your own charity?” I thought she said she only sat on the board.
“Yes, the Montague Animal Foundation. We’re a no kill shelter here in Manhattan.”
Double ugh. She saves animals? How can I be mad at her now?
“I appreciate you being so understanding about all this,” she continues quietly. “I’ve never found myself in a situation like this, and I don’t really know what to do.”
The hesitancy in her voice kills me, softening my heart unwillingly.
“I wish it would all go away,” she whispers.
Her words from the bridal shop come back to me.I thought I was marrying his brother. She only agreed to this for the chance to be with Archer and clearly doesn’t want to be with Gabriel… A niggling idea forms in my head.
“So what are you two going to do after you’re married? Will you live together?”
“I don’t know.”
“What if you’re in this fake marriage and you meet someone else? What will you do then?”
“I- I haven’t thought about it.” I can practically hear her withdrawing into herself the way she does, but I need to know.
“And what if he meets someone? Would you deny him the chance to fall in love?”
I hold my breath, awaiting her answer, but I’m only met with another exasperated, “I don’t know.”
That look in his eyes tonight as I pulled away from his hug… what was that exactly? I won’t let myself believe Gabriel is falling in love with me… but I can’t say the reverse isn’t happening. As much as I don’t want it to, it’s kind of too late.
“I haven’t thought that far ahead, okay?” she continues. “I got roped into this by my dad. We’ll figure out all that stuff after the wedding, but until then, it’s like we’re not really together, you know? I’ll deal with it afterward.”
She makes excuses to end the call and I carefully set the phone on the coffee table, ruminating over her words.We’re not really together. She said it herself. Is that enough to ease my conscience, though?
If both Gabriel and Serena don’t consider themselves in a relationship, who would it harm- Oh my God, who am I trying to delude here? Me. It would harm me. If Mr. Bishop caught wind of me fooling around with his engaged son, I could kiss this job goodbye. I’m already on thin ice after Tina discovered us making out at The Haven. I have no idea how I’m going to explain that away once she finds out I really am the wedding planner. And thankfully no one saw us at Cesar’s Dance Studio.
But if you were to do something in private…a little voice whispers. Oh, that’s a dangerous voice.
No, I- I can’t touch him. Or let him touch me. I know myself, and I’m already skirting a fine line. If nothing else, I have some decency.
Just flirting then. That doesn’t hurt anyone.
I glance over at my shoulder, half expecting a miniature cartoon devil to be sitting there whispering these rationalizations in my ear.
You both want each other. Both he and Serena say they’re not in a relationship. Keep your hands to yourself, but let off some steam. A little flirting could take the edge off so you’re not tempted to do something you’ll actually regret.
Does it mean I’ve officially drunk the crazy juice when I agree with the voice in my head?
Kissing is a no. Touching isn’t a good idea either. That leads to kissing. But flirting? Just words?
How bad could it be?