Page 40 of Nothing Breaks Like A Heart

But even if he had an explanation, would I be able to believe it?Because what had happened before we met was much easier to forgive than not telling me about a trip to Paris six weeks ago, after we were in love, after we were engaged, and after we'd started planning a future together.

I was still debating what to do when Andrew entered the suite.

He gave me a funny look. "Everything okay?"

"Yes," I said, realizing I probably looked as confused as I felt. I decided to go with an easy question, something I was already supposed to know. "Did you find Allison?"

"I did." He tossed his keycard on the table and walked over to the fridge to pull out a beer. He opened the bottle and took a swig before continuing, "Allison was working on ideas to show Victor tomorrow. That's all she wanted to talk about. She's desperate to get this job, and she doesn't give a crap about anything else. She's certainly not trying to seduce Victor. She just wants to work for him. I told her she needs to smooth things out with Paula, and she said she'll reassure her she only wants a job. I believe her, Lauren. Allison is not the horrible, conniving person you seem to think she is. She didn't trash our suite, and she's not looking for revenge because I married you."

I wondered if he'd actually asked Allison about the suite, but he wanted my trust, and I wanted to trust him. My wedding vows were still fresh in my mind. "Okay."

"You believe me?"

"I said okay. I'm glad she's just here to work."

Relief ran through his gaze, and his unusually serious mood lightened. "That's all it is. I'm sorry things got off track. I should have told you about her when I invited her to the wedding. I extended the invitation because she asked me for an introduction to Victor. I should have been up front with you about that, but I didn't think her presence would mean anything to you or anyone else. I had no idea Ethan Stark was looking into my relationship with Allison because we happened to be at the same conference. Or that he would come to you and try to turn it into something it wasn't."

I debated asking him about Paris, but before I could say anything, his phone buzzed.

Andrew pulled it out of his pocket and read a text. "I need to make a quick call for work. You should get ready for our ride. We need to be at the stables in twenty minutes." He gave me a smile. "It will be nice to get out on the trail and have some fun."

I had my doubts about that, but at this point, I was willing to risk getting on a horse to find some fun, because so far, my honeymoon was a dud.

ChapterTen

At two o'clock, we met up with Bennett Carrington at the stables, which were nestled in a grove of eucalyptus trees just beyond the edge of the resort, the scent of horse feed and fresh hay mingling with the salty ocean breeze. A long, whitewashed barn with neatly painted blue shutters gleamed under the midday sun. Horses stood in outdoor pens, their ears twitching as stable hands moved between them, saddling and brushing the sleek animals.

The air was alive with movement and sound: the soft nickers of the horses, the rhythmic scrape of brushes, and the distant crash of waves against the shoreline. Bennett Carrington, now dressed in a casual button-down shirt, well-worn jeans, and boots, introduced us to the three influencers coming on the ride.

Talia Berensky was a pony-tailed brunette in her mid-twenties, wearing skin-tight jeans and knee-high boots. Her social media channels focused on wedding venues—the best and craziest places to hold a ceremony. Kat Lewis, a thirty-something former model with flawless makeup, wore her long blonde hair in a thick braid that fell halfway down her back, and her white jeans and gauzy top were probably more appropriate for a cocktail party than a trail ride. Her channels focused on budget-friendly luxury travel deals for honeymooners. And, finally, there was Tyler Reed, an attractive brown-haired man in his late twenties, who wore faded, ripped jeans, a T-shirt, and a baseball cap. He had a camera hanging on a strap around his neck and a phone in his hand, more than prepared to capture the entire experience for his social media, which focused on active, adventure travel ideas.

It was clear why Bennett wanted them here. They were worlds apart from the media professionals we’d mingled with at Victor’s villa—these influencers were dynamic, creative, and perfectly attuned to their followers’ desires. If Bennett’s vision was to modernize the Carrington brand and attract a new generation of travelers, this was how he’d do it.

"We’re excited to see what you’ve planned for us," Talia said, her polished voice cutting through the ambient noise of the stables. "I'm already thinking about weddings on horseback. Luxury meets the Wild West."

"Exactly," Bennett said. "I like that line a lot." He tipped his head to me. "You should remember that, Lauren."

"I will," I said. "It's a great hook. I hope everyone will have a good time, and Andrew and I are happy to help you capture whatever mood or scene you think will be good for your posts."

"Let's get everyone saddled up," Bennett said, leading his group toward the horses.

"Looks like a good crew," Andrew commented.

"I'll say. Three of the biggest influencers in the travel and wedding industry. Bennett is actually pulling his weight for a change."

"I wouldn't say that to him," Andrew said dryly.

"Oh, trust me, I won't. I try to talk to him as little as possible. Luckily, Megan is the one who has to deal with him. He's not the easiest person to work with. He's very entitled, and he hasn't had a lot of practical marketing experience, which is why I'm surprised he pulled this together. But Megan said he's starting to sound more committed to actually working for the company instead of just waiting to inherit it, so I guess that's a good thing." I paused, surprised when I saw Harper and Colin walking toward us.

"Oh, good, we're not too late," Harper said.

"I didn't realize you were coming."

"Andrew invited us," Harper said. "It's okay, isn't it?"

"It's fine," Andrew said. "I texted Bennett. He said the more, the merrier."

"Great. Because I love to ride," Harper said.

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