Chapter 35
As I dash out the door of the boutique, I faintly hear Mrs. Rattles’ screams that I’m going to ruin my bridesmaid gown. Eloise shouts to get back here or else.
But I don’t stop.
I just wobble in my heels down Main Street, ignoring the stares from the people in the street. When I pass Jane Austen sitting atop the courthouse, I glare at the massive statue looking down at me from over the smooth limestone walls.
“This is all your fault,” I mutter under my breath. “If you—Ms. Queen of Romance—weren’t stuck in our bar, nobody would care about Logan and his stupid engagement. But now he’s Mr. Darcy! Now he’s a goddamn hero, and I’m going to have to hear about it all summer long!”
I cross Darcy Square and head toward The Cowherd. As soon as I enter the bar, the reporter I saw on TV rushes me. He has a cameraman with him. Holding a microphone to my face—
“Austen Macey Henwood? I’ve been told you go by Macey? I’m Ed Wade.”
I nod and then glance past him to scan the room. I’m only looking for one man.
When I find him, he’s already staring back at me.
Logan gives me a brief nod of acknowledgement, and I do the same. His eyes stay focused on me, though, and a smile plays around his lips. He almost looks relieved to see me here. I frown, wanting to talk to him alone. But the reporter hawking me prevents that.
Feeling utterly out of place in my green floral bridesmaid dress, I desperately try to smooth back my hair. It doesn’t work so I forget vanity and let the waves fall loose over my shoulders. That’s when I notice the “Free Jane” button the reporter’s sporting on his lapel.
I glance around the room and realize that everyone here—even old Dye Jenkins and his mutt Rusty—is wearing a button.
Dye waves at me and points at the button on his shirt collar. “Pretty neat huh?” he calls out.
I manage a nod, but I know who made those awful buttons.
Clearly the handiwork of my mother.
“What do you think you’re doing?” I push past the reporter and head straight for Mama. “You know we don’t have a clue about the dumb…”
The reporter has followed me, so I temper my comments.
“A clue about who the soul mates are. In fact…” What comes out of my mouth next is unrehearsed and far too emotional for television, but I can’t stop myself.
I lock eyes with Logan as I say, “I happen to know that Logan and Gigi are not the right couple to unlock the jail cell.”
Logan’s gaze stays stuck on mine. Which is how I don’t miss the flash of surprise that crosses his expression at my outburst.
“And you know this for a fact how?” the reporter asks me.
I wrench my gaze away from Logan and back onto the man who’s shoving his microphone in front of my lips.
“I just do,” I say coolly.
“Is it because Mr. Wild doesn’t seem the type to settle down?” the man persists. “I personally think that fact just adds to the romance of the story. You know, boy falls for girl and his whole world shifts.”
I ball my hands into fists at my sides as the camera focuses on me.
“I know because there’s been a mistake. My parents are easily confused.
” Mama and Daddy both shoot me dirty looks, but I continue.
“Virginia Rattles and David Lucas are marrying here at The Cowherd Whiskey Chapel on July first, and they are the Mr. Darcy and Ms. Bennet of Darcy, not this man and his out-of-town fiancée.”
I glare at Logan, who looks back at me, his expression unreadable.
Logan
I knew she’d come.
The last thing I wanted was for Macey to have to see any of this, but the moment that reporter grabbed my arm and stuck a camera on me, I knew Macey would find out. And I knew she’d come charging over from wherever she was.
I didn’t expect her to storm in quite so pissed off, though.
Her eyes are absolutely blazing with fury, and I can’t stop the lust that shoots straight to my groin.
Angry Macey is hot. Her green bridesmaid dress that I know she must hate hugs all her curves, and I fight to keep my eyes on her face.
But beyond the lust, guilt courses through me.
Because I’ve hurt her. I can see it in her eyes when she looks at me.
Of course, Blake knew exactly what he was doing by antagonizing her.
Macey thinks I’ve chosen another woman over her. Like that’s even possible. And her parents’ desperate move to call Gigi and me freaking soul mates isn’t helping matters. I run my hand down my face and work to tamp down my emotions.
I’m doing this for you, Macey.
I just need to keep reminding myself of that.