Chapter 21 Eva
Billie needed time off while her mother stayed in the hospital under observation.
I manage to open every morning, with Chloe starting later and taking over the afternoon shift.
At least this way, it gives me time to check things off my ever-growing list. Somehow, that list has multiplied, and little things need attention before the wedding, which is only around the corner.
As for Aston, I haven’t heard from him, though I’m not surprised. We ended our fun somewhat amicably, but considering I threw around the friend card, he’s ghosted me and has been anything but a friend.
I briefly asked Maddy if he was still in town, and she replied yes. Apparently, her father insisted Aston spend time with Myles’s father. I assume it was business related, and I didn’t ask any more questions.
All I can do is keep myself busy and ignore the pestering hollow in my chest.
Billie received positive news that her mom was going home this morning. I quickly prepared a care package and some food, sending it to her house so Billie wouldn’t have to stress for the rest of the day. There is an amazing pie shop two blocks over, and Billie’s mom loves the chicken potpie.
The morning is relatively quiet, only adding to my somber mood.
I have managed to clean the kitchen, do inventory, and order more supplies.
After my conversation with Aston about expanding, I found myself scrolling through leasing options in the city out of boredom.
The prices were over-the-top, so I backed away before I spiraled for no reason.
I’d have to sell a hell of a lot of donuts to even come out in the black.
At just after ten, Maddy bursts through the door with tears streaking her flushed cheeks.
“Maddy, what’s wrong?” I rush to her side, motioning for her to sit.
She stares at her hands, trying to control her tears. I bring her in for a tight embrace in an effort to comfort her. Slowly, she pulls away, reaching inside her purse for a tissue.
“This wedding is stressing me out,” she frets in a shaky voice, then continues, “Georgina just informed me some family friends of theirs will be in the country and would like to come to the wedding. Not only that, my father invited some business associates, too. This was supposed to be a small, intimate wedding. When did this become a circus? And no one is listening to me. Just because money is not an issue doesn’t mean I want a big wedding. ”
I rest my hand on hers. “Just breathe, okay? I can contact the caterer to increase the head count and make a note of it on the seating chart. It can still be what you want despite the additional head count. We can make it work. Is that the only thing bothering you, though?”
Maddy shakes her head. “I have all this work to finish before I officially go on leave next week. There’s a ton of stuff to do, not to mention Georgina is driving me up the wall. She’s already picking out nursery patterns for the kids I’ll supposedly be having soon. Owls… apparently owls are cute.”
With a heavy nod, I listen to her repeat the conversation Georgina threw upon her this morning. It’s obvious that with all the stress of the wedding, Maddy isn’t thinking straight and is trying to please everyone.
“Give me the list. I’ll take care of it. As for the whole baby thing, I can’t help you there, but I’m sure Myles can have a word with his mother.”
“But you’re busy here. With Billie gone, I don’t want to burden you,” Maddy whispers before biting her nails to curb the stress.
I pull her hand away from her mouth as I always do to break the bad habit, then tell her, “Don’t worry about me. Billie is back tomorrow. Chloe can cover for me this afternoon. She’ll be here in fifteen minutes. Tell me what you need.”
“It’s too much, don’t worry about it,” Maddy sulks.
“Maddy, it’s fine. Trust me.”
She sighs heavily. “There is a store in Manhattan that has the jewelry I need to pick up for the wedding and another store for the shoes. Mom suggested I try my entire outfit on, but I just don’t have time to go to the city.
The stylist wants to do a test run for my hair and makeup.
How hard is it to get my hair in a bun?”
I can’t argue this one. It’s not hard to get Maddy’s hair in a bun. I’ve done it several times for her.
“It’s fine, I can do it.”
“Are you sure?” Her eyes plead with an inner soft glow. “You have so much going on here.”
“I’ll drive there now and back tonight. Billie works the morning, so I can sleep in if I’m tired.” I reach out to squeeze her hand. “Can you chill now, please?”
Maddy sinks into the chair with a slack expression. “I don’t know what I’d do without you. It feels like you’re the only one who actually cares about me.”
“Okay, now you’re being a bit dramatic.” I stop myself from rolling my eyes. “So many people care about you and love you.”
“Oh yeah? It doesn’t feel like it.”
“C’mon, Myles, for starters. I mean, he has agreed to do the whole sickness-and-health-till-death-do-us-part thing,” I joke, smiling softly, only to falter momentarily. “And, um… your brother.”
She shrugs. “Hasn’t felt like it lately. He’s been in a mood.”
It piques my interest. I pretend to be fixing the condiment box in the middle of the table when I say, “Oh yeah? That sucks. I haven’t spoken to him. I guess he’s busy with work.”
“Well, he should be helping you.”
“Honestly, Maddy. It’s fine.”
“Do you want me to talk to him?” she questions, tilting her head to wait for my answer. “I don’t know what Dad is dragging him to these days, but he promised me he would help you.”
The last thing I want is for Aston to feel obligated to spend time with me.
“Look, I better get ready to drive to the city.” I push my chair out, standing up. “Send me all the details. I’ll drop the jewelry and shoes off tomorrow. Now go home and sort out your work stuff. Deal?”
“Deal.” She smiles.
I have this love-hate relationship with Manhattan.
Every time I drive in to visit, it feels entirely brand-new, like a place I’ve yet to discover and explore. There are so many emotions when you stand on the sidewalk and glance at the tall buildings surrounding you. It makes you feel alive, like you could conquer the world.
Then, some moron honks his horn, almost giving me a heart attack, while a homeless guy takes a piss right in front of me. Yep! It’s a love-hate relationship, all right.
I park my car in the garage close to the stores where I need to pick up the items for Maddy. Usually, I’d take the train into the city to avoid the chaos, but given that I have to leave when it gets dark, I thought it would be best to drive back home.
The first stop is some fancy shoe store.
Maddy’s mom suggested the place because they do custom pieces.
Finding the place and picking up the shoes wouldn’t have taken me so long if the sales assistant hadn’t rudely questioned me about the order, which involved a call to Maddy.
I had to place her on speaker, and by the end of the encounter, I was annoyed.
I’m trying to take some stress off Maddy, not add to it because of some rude salesperson. It was all very Pretty Woman minus me being dressed like a hooker.
Next, I walk a block over to the jewelry store. The store is all white with gold chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. Very extravagant but expected of a jewelry store of this caliber in Manhattan.
There are rows of display cabinets housing expensive pieces, and a few customers are trying on some necklaces.
According to what I overhear, one man appears to be picking out an engagement ring with his soon-to-be sister-in-law.
I try not to stare too long, but the flirtatious behavior between them is such a red flag.
The sales assistant quickly serves me and brings the order from the back. Since the bill is already finalized, I thank her and decide to have a quick bite to eat before driving back. Given the value of the shoes and jewelry, I’m way too nervous to wander the streets.
As I walk toward the exit, the security guard politely opens the door for me. I step out onto the street, only for my attention to immediately fall onto Aston leaning against a sleek black Mercedes with his arms crossed.
He’s dressed in a tuxedo, looking so damn handsome with a devilish grin on his face. His usually curly hair is slicked back into a more formal style. The corners of my mouth curve upward as I take steps toward him with a fluttering stomach.
“Wow! So now you’re stalking me James Bond style?” I tease with my gaze fixed on his. “I’m assuming Maddy told you I was here.”
“I’ve come to ask you for a favor…” he begins, taking a step closer. I inhale his aftershave, the scent as intoxicating as ever. “I have a charity event tonight, and my companion is unwell. Since you’re my friend , as you so kindly put it, I’d like for you to please be my plus-one.”
“Your companion?” I question, poking my tongue into my cheek. “You mean date?”
A smirk lingers on his lips. “ Friends don’t get jealous.”
The burning sensation in my chest makes it difficult to breathe, let alone say anything. I hate that I miss him. How can I miss someone I barely spend time with?
“I haven’t spoken to you for a week, but you’re already dating?”
Aston reaches out to grab my bags and places them inside the car without even asking me. “No, Everleigh. Viviana was supposed to attend this charity event as my companion, but she caught some stomach virus and is unable to make it.”
“Viviana…” I trail off, lowering my gaze to avoid his eyes.
In the middle of Fifth Avenue, the beat of my heart is the only thing I can hear. Not the traffic, not the sounds of people chattering as they walk past me. It’s just my stupid heart and the feelings it’s begun to catch.
Aston’s finger connects with the base of my chin. Then, slowly, he lifts my head so our eyes meet. “It’s not what you think.”
“What do I think, Aston?”
“You think that because I’m a man, I ran straight between someone else’s legs.”
“And did you?”