Page 12 of Nothing Breaks Like A Heart

"What's her name?"

"Allison McGuire." I shivered as a sweaty chill ran down my body. "Anyway, there is nothing wrong. I just need to take a shower and focus on what's important, which is my wedding."

"You're right. Can I get you anything?"

"No." I offered her an apologetic smile. "And I'm sorry I snapped at you."

"You're entitled to have some big emotions today. I'll come back at eleven."

"Thanks."

As Harper left, I walked over to the small refrigerator in the kitchenette and pulled out a bottle of water. I took a sip and leaned against the counter, trying to calm my nerves. For a distraction, I took out my phone, but that was a bad idea because Ethan's words now rang through my head—I didn't have to believe him; I could do my own research.

Before I could think twice, I went on social media and searched for Allison McGuire. It took a few tries to find the woman I was looking for. I went through her accounts, searching her photos for some sign of Andrew, because clearly Ethan had found something when he'd investigated her.

It took several minutes for me to go far enough back in time, since Allison loved to post photos of every meal she ate, as well as design photos from her many jobs. I was about to quit looking at her annoying face, until I found what I hadn't wanted to find: a photo of the two of them together.

My stomach tensed as I saw Allison with her arms around Andrew's neck. His hands were on her waist. They were gazing into each other's eyes while standing on the balcony of some hotel, fireworks going off in the distance. The date was from the previous July, which was well before I'd met Andrew, so there really was no reason for me to be jealous, except that Andrew had claimed they'd never dated, that they were just friends. They looked like more than friends in this photo. There was an intimacy to their stance that suggested they knew each other on a much deeper level.

I felt sick as a dozen thoughts collided in my head, and I blew out a shaky breath, trying to rid myself of the onrushing wave of doubt.

Did I have any right to be angry?The photo had been posted almost a year ago. Maybe I was reading into it. They could have been drinking and just had a moment, not a relationship.

But Andrew had been so definite when I'd asked him about her last night, when he'd said there'd been nothing between them.If he'd lied about that…

No! Stop!

This was all Ethan Stark's fault. He'd put the doubts in my head.

But he hadn't put this photo online. Nor had Ethan put Allison and Andrew together last night or a few minutes ago when I'd seen them with Victor and Paula.

Why had they been with the Carringtons?

Watching them say goodbye to Victor and Paula had made me feel like they were the couple, and I was the outsider. My pulse wouldn't slow down. Nor would my breath. I had so many questions and no answers.

My phone buzzed, and I jumped. I drew in a breath as I saw an incoming text from Andrew:Morning, Beautiful. Can't wait to marry you. Love you.

His words immediately eased the tightness in my chest.

What was I doing?Andrew was a good man. And it wasn't like I'd caught him cheating on me. I'd just found a photo of him from a year ago with a woman he was friends with. I needed to get a grip.

I read Andrew's message two more times, then texted back:I love you, too. See you soon.

I wasn't going to confront him, not today, not hours before our wedding. That would be pointless. But maybe there was someone else I could talk to. Someone who could fill in some blanks.

Moving back into the suite, I picked up the hotel phone and asked for Allison McGuire's room. A moment later, a woman answered. My gut tightened.

"Allison?" I said.

"Yes. Who's this?"

I couldn't answer. I couldn't do this to Andrew. I couldn't go behind his back.I hung up the phone, my heart beating way too fast. I couldn't believe I'd just done that.How stupid was I?

I needed to take a shower. I needed to forget all about Allison and move on with the day, the happiest day of my life.

My cell phone suddenly buzzed, Andrew's name flashing across the screen with an incoming call.Why was he calling me when we'd just texted?

"Hello?" I said, trying to sound calm.

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