Page 48 of The Bourbon Bride

“I said you need to come home right now. I’ll send you a plane ticket for this afternoon. That lecherous child predator is only after one thing. You have a humble, good man here just desperate to have you home.”

My spine straightens and I rear back as if slapped.

“Hayes is an incrediblegentleman,” I emphasize. “Garrison is not a good man and he’s most certainly not desperate to have me anywhere. I’m not coming home, Mama. Not until you get it through your pretty head that I won’t marry that awful man or be traded for financial gain.”

“You leave me no choice, Pai—”

I end the call before she can utter her threat and silence my phone in case she calls again.

“Well, Mama knows about you.”

“I heard. Guess I’m not exactly her pick of the litter?”

“I don’t see why you wouldn’t be, given that any business alliance forged through our relationship would benefit the Xenios Group far more than any from Daniels Industries. I think that’s too pragmatic for Mama, though. She prefers hush money to a legitimate business deal not carried on my back as a bought and paid-for bride.”

Hayes coughs, turning from me with his fist covering his mouth, and I pat his back, probably unhelpfully. I hope he’s not coming down with anything. I want to really wow him tonight, but I’d rather nurse him back to health at home if he’s not feeling well.

seventeen

The Atlanta Haute List

Spotted:TheBachelorandthe Belle

Our favorite billionaire businessman was seen out and about in Atlanta, in the light of day! Yes, mysterious and secretive Hayes Olsen left his Buckhead compound during daylight hours on a shopping trip with new flame Paige Fairchild. The two visited a Peachtree shopping area, with Olsen parking himself in a café, much to the delight of baristas in the know, while Fairchild spent hours at Atlanta darling Haute Belle designer dress shop. What could she have picked up and will she be stepping out in it anytime soon? We’re just as curious as you are, so send all your tips to [email protected] and we’ll be sure to share. Remember to hit Like and Subscribe for all the Haute Gossip.

eighteen

Paige

Hayesisworkingoutin his home gym on the first floor while I shower and wait for the makeup artist to get to the house. I’m just pulling on leggings and a loose tank when I hear the doorbell ring.

“She must be early,” I say to Cerberus as he perks up at the sound and goes on the alert.

“Let’s go meet the woman who will take this,” I say, motioning to my bare face and wet hair, “and turn it into something your daddy calls a smoke show.”

He trots at my side as we go downstairs. I pull open the heavy door with a smile ready to meet the artist Angela spoke so highly of. My smile falters and my heart stutters to a stop before resuming a breakneck pace when I get a look at the person standing on the stoop.

“Garrison?” I shriek. Cerberus growls low and nudges past me to stand between us. “What on God’s green earth are you doing here?”

Garrison eyes the huge, menacing dog warily and takes a step back. Smart.

“I’ve come to take you home, sugar,” he says, the hint of fear trembling through his prepared bravado.

“You’re a few bricks shy of a load if you think I’m going anywhere with you. What are you even doing here?Howare you here?” How could he have tracked me down to Hayes’s house?

“Your mama sent me to look for you. She’s worried sick and you need to be home in Savannah where we can start that beautiful relationship of ours that’s going to be the perfect blending of Southern breeding and smart business.”

“Crazy, the lot of ’em,” I say to Cerberus, the muscular dog posturing and still growling low in front of me. “Garrison, I will not be going anywhere with you, and I most definitely will not be marrying your sorry excuse for a behind.”

“You’ll love it in time, trust me.” His self-satisfied grin turns my stomach and I gag.

“I just threw up a little in my mouth when you said that.”

He’s undeterred by my rude remark.

“Paige, I’ve wanted you for years. It’s meant to be and our families are all on board. We just need you to see the writing on the wall and come on home where you belong. It’s what’s best for everyone.”

I roll my eyes. I’m dang tired of other people deciding what’s best for me without so much as consulting me about it.

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