Page 70 of The Trouble with Runaway Brides

“What exactly did you tell her?”

“I did what you guys said I should. I poured my heart out.” A lot of good it did me.

I head back to my closet. I always leave most of my suits at my condo, so I just have to worry about casual clothes because I’ll be spending the next two weeks there.

“I asked her not to marry that asshole and she said she couldn’t call off her wedding.” The same anger and hurt from earlier rise inside me. I really need to calm down and just get on the damn plane.

“It’s a big decision. You can’t expect her to make it so quickly, especially with a hangover. And not to state the obvious, but you haven’t exactly been the kindest person to her while she’s been here.”

I toss my phone on the bed. “Did you see this shit?”

He picks up my phone, where the Buzz Wheel app is open because I’ve read it a million times, looked at the pictures the same number of times.

Easton reads it out loud. “‘I admit defeat. When I first found out KG was returning to Lake Starlight, I wanted to run her out of town. I didn’t want her to hurt any of you, most of all Lance. I didn’t understand her motives for coming back. I didn’t understand why she would choose to come back to marry someone who wasn’t from here. During her time since she’s been back here, she’s stayed out of the way, hasn’t caused any trouble, and in fact, has planned her wedding with Lance by her side. I started to think that if he could be the bigger person, then maybe we all should. After all, he’s the one who was hurt the most by her actions. Then pictures came in of the two of them together. Him opening his car door for her. Them walking in Sunrise Bay side by side, laughing. I was softening, hoping these two might find a path back to one another.

“‘But last night, last night’s pictures took the cake. As you can see below, after what I heard was one hell of a vulnerable speech on KG’s part at career day at Lake Starlight High, she and Brinley mended their friendship and celebrated by getting drunk at Lucky’s before it opened. But as soon as Van flipped that sign and opened the doors, Lance and Easton joined the duo just like old times. Scroll through these pictures, folks, and tell me you don’t see it because I think Lance Whitmore would be a fool to let her slip through his fingers again.

“‘I hereby apologize to KG for the hatred. I have no excuse except to say that I was protecting the ones I love, but I see now that we’re on the same side. I hope you’ll accept my apology.’ Fuck,” Easton says. “Who the hell gets these pictures without us knowing?”

“They got me when I was staring at her ass as she bent to take a shot in front of me, as I was helping her into my truck, and when we were walking away from the lake.”

“These pictures make it look like something was going on.” Easton scrolls them all. “Seems like all the comments agree—everyone wants Lance and Kenzie back together.” He tosses my phone on the bed. “I’m sorry. I felt it last night.”

“So did I.” I push a hand through my hair.

“Did the two of you…”

I shake my head. “No. I slept in that chair most of the night, then in the spare room.”

“Okay. Because you can tell me if you did.” He stares at me intently as if I’m not telling the truth.

“I wouldn’t do that. She was drunk. Plus, she’s still engaged to someone else.”

“So, you’re just going to run away?”

“I’m not running away. I have to go back for work. I’ve been here long enough.”

He presses his lips together, then shrugs. “Okay.”

Easton doesn’t argue further, but he tells me that we have a stop to make before I head to the airport. He says he’ll be right back and heads downstairs. I look out my window and see Easton get in his car and drive away, but then I hear the front door open.

“Get down here, jackoff. I suppose it’s time,” Brinley shouts from the first floor.

I walk out of my bedroom and look over the railing. “I’m going to New York.”

“Maybe, but you’re going somewhere with me first. Consider it the perk of having a private plane—you can leave whenever you want to.”

A half hour later, I’m parked in front of a cabin that looks as if it should be covered in candy during Christmas. Who even has arched doors anymore?

“What is this place?” I ask.

Brinley says nothing, much like she did the entire time she was directing me to this place and climbs out of my truck. “You’ll see.”

I watch her walk up the pathway to the door, but she looks back with an annoyed expression, so I climb out and join her.

“Are you going to tie me up and keep me here for some reason? She said no. I took my shot like you said and there’s nothing more I can do.”

She puts the key in the lock, then holds it in the air. I place my hand palm up and she drops the key into it. “Welcome home.”

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