Page 111 of Chasing Lynda

25.

Whirlwind

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Lynda

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THE DAYS TURN INTO weeks faster than ever.

Bennett’s dad solves my legal situation.

Aaron had identified my belongings and with everyone else at the hotel accounted for, it was assumed that I was the Jane Doe burned beyond recognition. I guess we’ll never know who was the mysterious woman who died on the eight floor the night of the fire.

My “death” meant that my marriage to Aaron was dissolved.

I explained my situation to Basil Fletcher and how I had been in hiding to escape my ex and he managed to reverse the situation without my family being notified.

I’m not sure how exactly he pulled that off, he just mentioned “friends in high places” but he fixed the situation so that I’m free to marry Dodge.

I check my makeup before leaving my room to join Patricia downstairs where her personal stylist is showing us a selection of dresses for the engagement party the Buttens are throwing me and Dodge this weekend.

It’s weird to have someone bringing designer ball gowns and cocktail dresses without us having to leave the house; but I guess that this is how the one percent does things.

My parents were extremely well-off but obviously nothing compared to Dodge’s family.

I know Callie is supposed to be joining us, but I knock on her door on my way down the hallway. I need to talk to her in private.

“Come in!” she yells and I find Callie at her desk, sketching on a big notepad.

“Oh, Lynda. What’s up?” she asks, lifting her eyes from her drawing and closing the pad.

“Hmm, I wanted to talk to you before we go downstairs to look at dresses for Saturday night’s party.”

Dodge’s sister looks at her phone. “Oh, shit! Was that today? It totally snuck up on me. I’m going out later, but I should have a couple of hours before I need to start getting ready. What’s up?”

I’m a little nervous about this, but I decide to take the plunge and ask her what I came here to ask. “So ... your mom is in full wedding fever.”

Callie giggles. “Ah, yeah. Nothing like a huge party to get Mom excited. Has she taken completely over and is she making you want to elope?”

I lower myself onto the ottoman at the end of her bed, twisting my hands in my lap. This might be a little uncomfortable, but if I want to ask her what I came here to ask, I know she’s going to have questions. “Actually, no.” I exhale. “I mean, at first yes. She was going to invite half of Bridgeport and I believe that she had two former US presidents and their First Ladies on the guest list.”

Callie rolls her eyes with a knowing smile. “Yup. Typical Mom.”

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