Page 24 of The Trouble with Runaway Brides

“I have to take a rain check. Seems to be a crisis brewing.”

Ivy laughs good-naturedly and packs her bag. Then there’s a knock on the door and she tells whoever it is to come in. A group of guys who look like they all belong in a fraternity enter. Their shirts with matching Greek letters would be a dead giveaway if their identical hairstyles and clothes didn’t also make the brotherhood clear.

“We’re just leaving, guys,” Ivy says and waits for me.

My head is down and I’m focused on my phone while we walk toward the elevator. It isn’t until Ivy clears her throat that I realize she’s still there as I’m trying to calm Kenzie down and make sense of what she’s saying. Apparently Jeanette from Glacier Point told her that she’s not handling the arrangements for the wedding anymore. I send Kenzie a text to say I’ll contact my dad and get back to her.

“I’m sorry,” I say to Ivy and pocket my phone, feeling rude.

“It’s okay. I’m sure you have a lot of interest.” She walks in front of me and presses the button to call the elevator.

“It’s complicated.” Which is the truth. Ivy doesn’t strike me as someone who wants a one-night stand, and right now, that’s all I’m capable of because I’m about to punish myself and watch the girl I’ve loved since I was fifteen marry my nemesis.

She smiles. “With men like you, it always seems to be, huh?”

It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell her the entire story of Kenzie and me—get the opinion of a neutral third party who didn’t witness the entire saga all play out. But I can’t let out personal facts like that to someone I don’t even know, especially someone who’s essentially a member of the press. Even if she is Josh’s friend.

The elevator reaches the bottom floor, and we say our goodbyes, me sliding into my waiting car while she walks down the sidewalk. For the millionth time, I wonder where I’d be if I’d never dated Kenzie Gavino in high school. What if Easton had scored her then? Would I be like him and not want anything serious, or would I have found someone to settle down with? Someone sweet like Ivy.

Shaking my head, I dial up my dad, who answers immediately.

“Lance, hey, I thought you were coming into town this weekend?” There’s a lot of noise behind him, so I assume he’s at Glacier Point.

“I am. Just stopping by my condo to pick up my stuff, then I’m heading to the airport. I’m calling for another reason.”

He sighs. “The Gavino and Asbury wedding?” A door shuts behind him and the background noise silences. He must have made his way to his office.

“Yeah.”

“Lance, when you asked me if that date was open, you didn’t tell me who it would be for. You left a voice mail for Jeanette, and she came to me with it. Your mother is beside herself. She doesn’t want Kenzie getting married here. And I’m not going to get in the middle of this, nor am I putting Jeanette on it. We have a big conference here that entire week, plus some other weddings, and her plate is already full. If you want to do this, then you’ll need to be the planner.”

My mouth drops open. “What? I can’t plan a wedding.”

“That’s the only option on the table at the moment. You started this. You can finish it.”

“But—”

“Listen, son, for some reason, you thought this was a good idea. So, if you think you can watch Kenzie marry someone else, then I guess you won’t mind helping her with the details.”

I run my hand through my hair and tug on the short strands. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“This is not a joke.”

“It feels like a practical joke,” I grumble, frustration lacing my tone.

“I’m sorry, I wish it could be different. But that girl returning to town isn’t going to make a lot of people very happy. I’m sure you saw Buzz Wheel. She left an impression on this town, and it wasn’t a good one. Now I gotta go handle some things. I’ll see you this weekend. Don’t forget your mom wants to go look for a puppy.”

I shake my head. “Bye, Dad.”

“I love you,” he says.

“I love you,” I mumble before hanging up.

I sit and contemplate my situation. I don’t know what my dad was talking about regarding Buzz Wheel, but I’ll have to look it up once I’m on the plane. I can only imagine. I don’t know how the hell I’m going to deal with this news my dad just sprung on me, but I shoot Kenzie a text to calm her down.

Me: Your wedding is still on. Don’t worry.

Then I send one to Brinley and Easton in our chat titled “Triplets.”

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