Chapter 3
three
“You know, if you wanted to take the crown for most dramatic sibling, all you had to do was ask, sis.” I groan as my brother Nick makes light of the massive clusterfuck I’ve just caused.
My sign of distress doesn’t deter him as his voice carries from my cell that’s on speakerphone.
“And to think, there were so many ways I could have helped you really stick it to Damien, and you chose the route that didn’t include a scenario in which I could have had my own moment to shine.
Very bridezilla of you, if I do say so myself. ”
I don’t tend to get carsick, but as the realization of what I’ve done starts to set in, I find it harder to keep the contents of my meager breakfast from making a reappearance.
There’s rustling over the line, followed by a clear “ow” coming from my dear old brother.
Before I can even muster the will to respond, my friend and now sister-in-law, Luisa takes over the line.
“I swear, sometimes I wonder if your brother performed a spell on me, because why else would I be married to a guy who—”
“Because you love me!” Nick’s muffled voice interrupts.
Any other day, I would be giggling up a storm at the thought of those two going back and forth between lovers and adversaries. But today is not that day.
“Guys, please.” My voice unexpectedly breaks on the last word, and everything around me goes silent.
A warm, comforting hand finds my clamped ones and squeezes lightly.
I look to my left and find Luke’s worried gaze locked on mine. “We need a plan,” he says gruffly as he slowly directs his attention back to midtown traffic.
Nick is back on the line, and this time, I can tell he is in full business mode. “You’re right. My apologies, Daisy. I know this couldn’t have been easy for you to do, but please know that we are so damn proud of you and will handle the aftermath.”
“Aftermath?”
“Yes, aftermath,” he continues. “There are about three hundred guests plus staff in that church waiting for a bride who is currently tardy to walk down the aisle. It’s only been fifteen minutes, so they’re probably assuming you’re fashionably late.
But before long, someone will leak what has happened and we’ll have a media firestorm on our hands. ”
I don’t even realize I’ve made a distressed sound until I feel Luke squeezing my hands again.
This time he unclenches my hands from one another and threads our fingers together until he’s got a firm hold on me.
“I’m not hearing any solutions, Stonehaven,” he states in the same disapproving tone he uses while speaking to his baseball players when they’re late to practice.
“Yes, I was getting to that, Coach. Which, by the way, good save today. Talk about right place, right time, huh?”
“Something like that,” he mumbles.
“As I was saying, we need a plan. I’ve already texted all the heads of Stonehaven Media.
They’ve already gotten a statement from me, which is better than any “unconfirmed sources” that I’m sure will be popping up throughout the week.
It is set to go live as soon as you give me the green light, sis. ”
“A statement? From my brother? Isn’t that, like, weird? And shouldn’t I talk to Damien before going to the media?” I bite the nail of the thumb on my free hand, and for a second, I think Luke is trying to figure out a way to hold both of my hands at the same time.
Nick audibly sighs. “Daisy, I am the media. And unfortunately, you won’t be able to talk to Damien before this goes live.” His voice gentles. “You know why, don’t you?”
I lean my head back and close my eyes.
How have I landed myself in such a dumpster fire?
I’m Daisy Stonehaven.
Certified people pleaser. Rule follower to a fault.
I would never cancel a dinner reservation, even weeks in advance. So how the hell did I end up running away from my very own wedding?
You know why, the voice inside my head whispers.
I was too much of a coward in the days and weeks—hell, even months—leading up to my wedding.
I never spoke up. I waited up until the last second, until the walls were closing in on me.
And even then, I think I might have still gone along with it.
Walked toward a lifetime of unhappiness just so I could please the people who so badly wanted to see me at that altar.
Unifying two prominent families whose last names were sure to leave a lasting mark on New York society.
If it weren’t for Luke…
His thumb brushes over my knuckles softly, as if he knows the moment my thoughts have drifted to him.
I shake away my internal chatter and focus on the matter at hand.
Because I do know the reason why I won’t be able to reach Damien before the news gets out. It’s the same reason I haven’t been able to get through to him for the last year of our barely there relationship.
He’s not just Damien Fischer; he is New York State Senator Damien Fischer. And if he gets his way, come this November, he’ll be crowned the youngest person to ever become governor of New York.
Meaning he’s probably got his “fixer” lying in wait for any and every scenario possible today. And since I’m the one who left him, I wouldn’t be surprised if his campaign chose to smear me in the media to help him save face and go up in the polls.
What a fucking mess.
“Listen, Daisy, we can tackle that in a minute. What we need this very moment is to get you to a safe place.” He pauses, as if it pains him to continue.
“I’m sorry, sis, but the paparazzi attention will be brutal.
My instinct is to have you come stay with us, but it’s already a media circus since we released our wedding photos, and to be honest, I think you deserve a break.
To get as far away from this shit as possible.
Which is why I need Coach to drive you to the private airstrip near LaGuardia Airport.
My jet is waiting on standby, and the pilot already has the flight plans.
You can stay at the house in the Dominican Republic.
Some time on the island might do you good. ”
Luke’s grip on my hand tightens momentarily. He quickly loosens it but keeps his eyes on the road as he asks, “Is that what you want, Daisy?”
“I-I don’t know.” I pause, trying to think through all the moving pieces.
“I don’t want to be anywhere near the public scrutiny, but I also don’t want to get on a plane and flee.
The last time we were at that house was for your wedding, Nick.
And I don’t think being in the place where I saw you and Luisa the happiest and most in love is the best spot to hunker down while I deal with whatever the hell is about to come my way. ”
“All right. Name a city and we’ll get you there. Maybe you should go somewhere in Europe. I have a house in—”
The noise level around Nick increases suddenly.
New York City sidewalks would never be considered quiet, but now it sounds as though Nick is walking through Grand Central Station.
“Okay, change of plans, girl,” Luisa starts, sounding slightly frazzled. “All the guests are making their way out of the church. They must have been notified. Which means…”
“I’m out of time.” I finish.
“Daisy, we can—”
“Let’s get you—”
Nick and Luisa are both interrupted mid-sentence by Luke.
“I know a place where she can go.” He stops at the red light and turns slightly to face me.
His bright blue eyes bore into mine with an intensity I never knew possible.
As if he’s trying to communicate with me silently before he shares his thoughts with my brother and Luisa.
“Oh yeah? And where exactly is that?” Nick asks, unimpressed.
Luke’s eyes never leave mine as he gives my hand one final squeeze. “With me.”