Chapter 64
Chapter Sixty-Four
Audrey
“I know pronounce you husband and wife!”
Ace dipped Carina backwards and everyone jumped to their feet to cheer as he kissed his bride. I told myself as I swiped away a tear that I was crying for them and how emotional weddings made me, but in reality, I was crying for my heart for it had been ripped out once again. I was stupid for thinking I could change anything and I was stupid for trying to do it at my best friend’s wedding.
We looped arms again to follow the bride and groom back down the aisle and into the mansion, but this time neither one of us said anything. For the people and the cameras we smiled, but inside I was dying. I hoped he was too. As soon as we untangled our arms, Vina was coiled around him. My parents were quick on my heels and if they hadn’t been, I would have fled. Wedding reception be damned.
My dad took me into his arms and I breathed in his earthy scent. I’d missed him so much. I’d missed them both so much. When all of this was over, I was getting a one-way ticket back to wherever their home was. They’d recently settled in Oregon but didn’t know for how long. Knowing them they would get the itch, end up back in their camper, and find themselves in Maine next. That was just how it went with them. I loved it and hated it all at the same time.
Mom wrapped her arms around the both of us and I took a deep breath. I was definitely planning a trip. How I’d gone so long without a hug from the both of them was beyond me.
“How are you holding up, kiddo?” Mom was wearing a long-sleeve navy blue shimmering dress and my dad was actually in a tux. They cleaned up so well.
Dad waved Mom off. “She looks beautiful is what you should be saying.” My heart warmed at the compliment. Dad was the prize winner of compliment-giving growing up. We never doubted our worth under his roof. They were the best parents.
“Was that him?” Mom whispered and my heart sank all over again.
I nodded and kept my face passive.
Mom pulled me in for another hug. “We can’t wait to eat all the amazing food inside.” My mom giggled all the tension left my shoulders.
Dad nodded enthusiastically. “Oh yes, and that cake! I bet it’s incredible too.”
They were such foodies. I loved them so much. I shoved both of them into the warmth of the house. “Mingle. Go congratulate the new couple. I’ll be along in just a second!”
They did a little happy dance that would have embarrassed me any other day and sashayed into the house— if you could even call it that.
I pulled my phone out of my pocket and immediately texted Georgie.
I know you have the weekend off, but I would love to see you when I head home from the wedding. I need a pick-me-up meal since I had to coexist with Alexei today. I planned to come home and eat takeout but I could really use your company.
Georgie
I thought you would never ask. I’m bored at home. I’ll have the best meal of your life waiting for you.
Rich people loved to toast. There was a toast for everything. A toast for future riches and opportunities, a toast for continued wealth, a toast for prosperity, a toast for lots of babies. It went on and on. Finally, there was dancing, but I found really quickly that it wasn’t the kind of dancing I was used to at weddings back home. Everything seemed to be choreographed. It was boring, but Ace and Carina looked to be in heaven and that was all that mattered. At three PM, their flight was to take off to take them to the other side of the world, straight to paradise. Carina and Ace disappeared upstairs while everyone mingled and waited for their exit to the decorated Bentley, thanks to yours truly and Dimitri. He’d insisted on tying cans to the back of it. I doodled all over the windows and for once in the past few months, things felt normal and good.
I skipped up the steps two at a time and Carina pulled me into my room. “Aren’t you supposed to be changing and possibly getting in a closet fuck before you leave?”
Carina threw her head back and laughed. She held up a short little white dress. “I’m going to change in just a minute. I wanted to make sure you were okay and you won’t have any problems being alone in that big penthouse without us.”
I nodded. “I texted Georgie. I plan to pay her extra to cook for me this weekend when she should have had the time off.”
“I hate that we didn’t invite her to the wedding.” Carina pouted and I agreed. Georgie could out-cook all these fancy fucks any day.
“She wouldn’t have come anyway.”
Carina nodded. “I know. The Grannies want you to stop avoiding them too. Be sure to see them before you leave tonight.”
“I’m so happy for you.” The tears came surprisingly quick and I couldn’t wipe them away fast enough. My nose burned as I blinked rapidly but it didn’t matter, the damage was done.
I’d tried to fix my makeup to the best of my ability but it didn’t really matter. All that mattered was getting out of this place as quickly as possible. The send-off for Carina and Ace was cute with rose petals and rice thrown. It was like something out of a magazine. Carina blew me a kiss as Ace chuckled at my art and Dimitri’s cans. Thanks to Ivan, fireworks went off as they were driving away. People lingered but I grabbed my parents’ hands in mine and hauled them up the stairs. I packed my back while they sat on my bed and talked about their recent travels. It reminded me of high school. They’d done the same thing then and I found myself missing it even more.
“Please let Emeline wait on you both this whole weekend. She just wants to be the best hostess.” I said as I zipped up my bag. I’d changed into a cute but comfortable pantsuit for the ride back to the city. Ace’s driver was waiting for me downstairs. I was sure I would run into the Grannies before I left too.
“Please be careful,” Dad pulled me in for a tight hug and I took another deep breath of his scent, trying to save it forever.
Mom hugged me next and then they both followed me down the stairs and out the side door. Sure enough, the Grannies were waiting for me. I shooed my parents off and faced the two badasses with what I hoped to be a stoic expression.
It wasn’t needed as they both pulled me in for a tight embrace. “We wanted you and Alexei to be together. We are sorry that things took on such a turn.” Nana was the first to speak.
Grandmother handed me her cane, standing up straight for the first time since I’d met her. Did she actually need it? Obviously, not. “You might need this one day.”
I frowned down at the thing. “So I can wack people’s ankles too?”
“The handle twists off and there’s a knife inside. I don’t like you being in the big city all by yourself.”
“Thank you both so much,” I found myself fighting tears all over again. Nana smacked my behind as I walked through the door and into the snow. Ace’s driver was waiting for me with the back door open.
“Good evening, Ms. Wilde. Ace’s penthouse?”
“Yes, please.”