Page 16 of Accidentally Hitched (Unintentionally Yours #1)

“Actually, that’s why I brought Amanda along tonight. There’s something I–we– need to tell everyone.”

Double shit.

Every eye is on us.

Hiram’s heavy gaze, Avery’s questioning stare, Barbie’s now batting eyes, the girl with the rose tattoo who seems genuinely engaged in whatever is happening, and Noah who is literally open mouth grinning while chomping on crushed ice from his empty drink.

“Amanda and I have been seeing each other for a while.”

“Have you now?” Hiram asks.

“Of course you have…” Avery mumbles.

“And while we were in Vegas…we got married.”

Fuck. My. Life.

I literally want to crawl under the table.

I am actually looking for somewhere to run away to.

The panic on my face has to be visible. But then I feel a knee under the table touching mine.

It’s not an accidental bump either, but a warm, steady press.

I look at Callum and his eyes grab ahold of mine, deep and steady.

And just like that, my breathing slows.

Pull yourself together, Amanda. You have worked crowds before. These Met Gala wannabe’s are no different. Actually, they probably have been to the Met Gala but that’s not the point.

I smile and brush a stray lock of hair back knowing full well it’s not going to stay.

“Yep. He told me he was headed to Vegas and asked me to join him. And then, while we were alone after landing that incredible artist, he asked me to marry him and…we did it.”

“Oh, my God that’s precious!” Barbie purrs. “Can I see the ring?”

Callum’s eyes widen slightly but I just smile again. “I took it off. It’s a literal rock and Callum didn’t want you guys to see it before we announced it.”

Avery lets out an indifferent, “Mm.”

Callum ignores it, so I do too.

“Well, I think we need another round,” Hiram says, snapping his fingers at the waitress who literally doesn’t need to be summoned. We are her only table and she’s literally just standing by the table waiting for her next move. “Let’s make it champagne! Dom Perignon for the table.”

Jesus. I didn’t even know how to properly pronounce Dom Perignon, and I’ve definitely never had it.

A moment later the table is lined with glasses, and the waitress is pouring. Once we all have it in our hand, Hiram makes a toast.

“To the happy soon to be couple!”

We clink and drink and the edge finally starts to come off. Zoe is rambling about wedding things and how she and Avery might tie the knot and Noah and Callum share some inside jokes. The food slowly starts to disappear, and a third round of drinks is enjoyed.

Meanwhile, more questions are asked, and Callum and I work fluidly together to answer them.

“When did you meet?”

“It was a while ago. At a concert. I was scouting talent, and she was drinking a beer.”

“Why haven’t we met her before?”

“We were taking it slow.”

That one low key makes me chuckle inwardly.

“So, you got married in Vegas?”

Jesus…

“Did anyone see? The press could be a shitshow.”

“Nobody saw. We were very private about it.”

I mean if the press were going to grab-and-go with anything it would have been that auction .

“Well, that’s convenient!” Zoe coos.

“Yeah…convenient.” Avery grins.

But Callum doesn’t waver. And honestly, despite everything, I am having a good time. Maybe it’s the muddled Hendricks. Maybe it's three-hundred-dollar champagne. Whatever it is, I’m enjoying myself. I mean why not?

As things are starting to wrap up, I excuse myself to the bathroom. I check my hair and wash my hands and honestly, I’m feeling pretty good about myself. One of the stalls opens and Noah’s friend with the rose tattoo walks out.

“Hey,” she smiles and it’s as warm as her flawless skin. “I don’t think I introduced myself. Actually, I’ve been meaning to for a few days now. I’m Cass. I work in recording.”

“Oh. Oh! Yes, I think I saw your name on the soundboard. Incredible soundboard by the way.”

“It’s mint. 1969.”

“This entire thing is just unreal,” I laugh.

“It’s a lot to take in when you’re new for sure. I’ve seen your profile though, and I’m sure you’ll be fine.”

“God, I hope you’re right. I was a little worried out there for a minute.”

“Okay between you and me,” she leans in. “That crowd out there is not the crowd you will normally deal with on our end of things. Those are the ties. The deep pockets. Save for Noah and sometimes Callum when he’s willing to admit it, they’re not artists. We…we are the painters of their vision.”

“Well, you and Noah seem great together,” I tell her.

Cass laughs. “Oh honey, Noah and I aren’t…I mean…he’s my friend, nothing more.”

“You sure? I feel like you’d be perfect together.”

“The man has a dick and that’s not my vibe,”

“Oh…Oh! Okay, I got it.”

She laughs again. “Just remember one thing. Be honest and true with yourself and real with everyone else. You’ll go far. And be careful with those Hardin men, if you know what I mean.”

I do know what she means.

She’s telling me to protect my heart.

But lucky for me, I am not in love with any Hardin men.

I’m married to one, but not forever.

And no one needs to know that part.

As we are getting ready to leave, Hiram shakes my hand, holding it for a moment.

“I may have been wrong about you, dear. You’re a lovely girl and I am happy to have you on our team and even happier that you will be keeping Callum in line, in more ways than one.

I don’t know if you could tell. I don’t know if any of you could tell but I am a tired man. ”

We are standing in a circle with Hiram in front of me and Callum’s hand is back on my lower back again. Warm, comforting.

“You’ve been tired for years,” Avery jokes and while Hiram is smiling, there is something behind it.

“I have to be honest with you boys. With all of you. This world has been catching up with me. And it’s hard to do it alone. It’s taxing to say the least. And my health…has been declining.”

“Oh no,” Cass frowns genuinely.

“Dad?” Avery asks, and Callum’s brow furrows.

“I think you’re just tired, like you said,” Callum says. “We’ll get your driver–”

“I’m not just tired, son. I’m sick.”

The circle stops abruptly enough that it almost feels like the whole world stops with it. “Turns out I’m not as invincible as I thought. And knowing that my sons have found their significant others is important.”

Callum’s hand weighs heavier on my back.

On the drive back to my place, it’s quiet. Halfway there, I break the silence. “Did you know?”

“No.”

“I’m sorry.”

Suddenly I realize what he must be thinking. Hiram’s urgency to pass the company down is on a clock. A physical clock. A lot of things are making sense now. But it almost makes the stakes much higher.

We pull up to the complex and he insists on walking me to my door. I pull my keys out and look up at him, feeling a small smile on me.

“You were pretty great back there, you know,” he says, shoving his hands into his pockets.

“Just doing my job,” I smile back with a shrug.

“It’s not easy to sway Hardin men into liking you when they’re dead set on not.”

“I don’t think Avery likes me.”

“I don’t give a fuck what Avery thinks,” he says, and I can’t help but laugh. Callum smiles and it feels like a real smile, even if it is a bit rueful. “For real though. The way you shifted the mood back there, it was impressive. I could just about kiss you for it.”

The air between us fills with static.

“That’s not part of the contract.” I say.

“I thought kissing was permitted.”

“Only in public. For sake of show.”

“Ah. Missed the moment,” he rocks back on his heels. “Have a good night, Amanda.”

With that he walks away.

And I have no fucking clue what’s going on anymore.