Page 14 of Beautiful Revenge

“Who is this?” I ask.

“I’m sorry. So sorry, Ms. Madison. There’s been a flurry of activity since ... well, you know. Obviously, you know.”She lets out a dramatic breath. And here I thought I was going through a tough spot. The woman finally collects herself. “My name is Felicity Fahnestock. I manage the front desk. Your mother is trying to see you, but she doesn’t have a security card to get to the suites. I need your permission to send her up. May I?” She lowers her tone to a whisper. “Please?”

It's my turn to exhale a dramatic sigh. I do not want to see my stepmother, but the urge to protect poor Felicity from Janie is strong. “That’s fine. Send her up. I’m sorry if she’s being demanding.”

Felicity sounds relieved. “Wonderful. I mean, not wonderful … for you. Today has to be, well, you know... But of course you do. So … let me know if you need anything.”

I can tell she’s as anxious to get off the phone with me as she is to get rid of Janie, but I don’t let her hang up. “Actually, there is something you can do.”

“Of course. Anything to make your stay pleasurable. Wait, that’s not what I meant. I mean, whatever we can do to make the rest of your time at The Manor at Winslet comfortable and less agonizing as you go through this trying?—”

If I don’t interrupt, Janie will be banging on my door before Felicity spits out all her words. “I need to extend my stay.”

“Oh.” Besides that one tiny word, Felicity goes silent, but I hear the tapping of a keyboard in the background.

“Please,” I add. “Given my change of circumstances, I’d like to stay. Winslet has always been like a second home to me. Book me for the unforeseeable future. I have nowhere else to go.”

That’s not completely true. I have plenty of places to go even though I sold my apartment. My father has plenty of properties across the U.S., and the world for that matter, but the place in SoHo was mine. I run the risk of Janie following me everywhere, no matter how much I might need to be alone right now.

If Janie hasn’t already lost her mind over my canceling the wedding, it’s only a matter of time until she comes unglued altogether. She’ll either be fraught with fear or rage. Honestly, it’ll be a crapshoot.

Felicity trips over her words. “Um, I’ll get back with you on that.”

I tell Felicity the truth. “Thank you. I’m looking forward to my time here.”

She lowers her tone again and her words hit me like a warning from one girlfriend to another about a guy flying big red flags. If I only had someone like that in my corner months ago, I wouldn’t be in this situation. “Ms. Madison, you should know that your mother isn’t happy.”

“Please, call me Harlow. And Janie is my stepmother. Don’t mind her. I can’t remember the last time she was truly happy. She’ll get over it, just like everyone else will.”

Speak of the devil, there’s a banging on my door, and it’s not the cool, collected, yet firm knock of my English hero. “Harlow Madison, open this door right now!”

“About your extended stay—” Felicity starts.

“Sorry, I’ve got to go before Janie tears through the antique mahogany. Thank you for arranging it, Felicity. I’m sure I’ll see you around.”

“But—”

Janie won’t stop. “Dammit! Open the door, Harlow!”

I’m not in the habit of hanging up on anyone, but I wasn’t kidding about Janie. I’ve seen her at her worst, and it’s not pretty. “Gotta go.”

I hurry to the door and will myself to take a calming breath before I unlock the deadbolt and open the door.

Janie is standing there in her mother-of-the-bride gown. I know for a fact it was more expensive than the wedding dress I only wore for a short time. I’m taken aback, because she’s also sporting an expression I’ve never seen on her before.

Janie is not angry or pissed.

She’s downright frantic.

And she looks me up and down from head to toe, not at all ready to get married. I even had time to wash my face before I got the phone call. Nothing felt better than getting rid of the mask that took more than an hour to paint on me this morning.

I wince when Janie’s frenzied shrill hits me. “What is wrong with you? You ruined everything!”

I don’t have the chance to invite her in or respond. And Iguess I shouldn’t be worried about her shrieks bothering the guests since everyone staying here is probably in the garden inhaling cocktails to take the edge off the mood.

Janie pushes me to the side as she storms in. “There’s still time. Put that damn dress on and get downstairs.”

I shut the door. “That’s not happening.”