Page 25 of Tangled in Vows

We’d almost be done already if it wasn’t for the short delay due to some equipment issues. Now, we’re waiting for the green light to start on my hair and makeup.

Jax and I shake hands, and I take him in. His build is similar to Holden’s, although not as wide, with short blond hair, blue eyes, and a friendly smile.

He nods at me. “Likewise. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

I raise a brow, and he coughs and says, “From Luke.”

“Oh, I didn’t realize you knew each other.”

Luke was finally released from the hospital, but the doctor said he’ll be out for at least the next six to eight weeks, if not longer. I always assumed he’d come back once he’d recovered to take over for whoever would be my security detail. But now, with this marriage and the label execs hanging over our heads, I’m not sure about anything anymore. It’s not like I can get rid of Holden anymore the way I wanted to before this mess.

At this point, I need a week to process everything. Maybe a month. Heck, I need a day alone just to think about the bomb Holden dropped on me before we left.

I’d rather plunge a knife into my heart than ever hurt you again.

I was too chicken to ask him on the drive here what he meant by that, and now my brain is spinning even more than before. Because what is there really to say? Or to ask?

Hey, so, Holden . . . mmm . . . did you actually mean it when you said you’d rather maim yourself than hurt me again? Because, dude, you have a really shitty way of showing that, considering you left me and divorced me. Well, we thought wegot divorced. Also, you suck, and none of this makes sense, and I hate that you’re so stupid hot, and even though I want to hate you, and I’m still so angry about what you did to me, I also just want you to hug me and hold me for a while.

Yeah, I’m sure that conversation would go over super well.

Jax nods. “Yeah, we both work for?—”

Holden interrupts him. “They both work for the same security company.”

The two of them share a look, but before I can ask about it, Nisha joins our small group. Guilt swirls in my stomach when I notice the dark circles under her eyes, knowing my mess is probably the reason for it.

“They said they’re finally ready for you.” She pushes something into my hands. “Here. A delivery guy dropped these off for you. They’re gorgeous and smell so good.”

I stare at the bouquet wrapped in tan paper. Violet ranunculus. My favorites. Or they used to be. There was a field near my aunt’s house I often walked by, always stopping to get my fill of the sweet, delicate fragrance of citrus and clover. Until I didn’t anymore.

“Beautiful flowers for a beautiful girl.” The cute boy hands me a bunch before whispering into my ear. “Meet me in the barn after dinner.”

I don’t immediately reply, and his smile falters.

“Please, Olivia. I’m sorry I got mad. If you’re not ready yet, we’ll figure out this whole marriage thing. Let’s talk about it tonight?”

I sigh but nod. If he’s willing to work with me, I should hear him out. “Okay.”

A shiver runs down my spine at the memory and how that night ended. Shit, I hadn’t thought abouthimin so long. My ex-fiancé. He’s supposed to be at the bottom of my forget-me box, alongside my aunt, her family, and the entire community I wasforced to consider my home, although it was never more than a prison for me.

“Hurricane?” Holden sounds wary as if he instinctively knows something isn’t right.

A rectangle peeks out from the bouquet. I pluck out the beige card and read the message on the back of it.

Did you love my surprise? Let’s see how many other skeletons you are hiding in your closet.

“Olivia, what’s wrong? You’re as white as a sheet.” Nisha’s voice is full of concern.

She touches my arm, and I flinch out of reflex. I can’t stomach being touched right now. I brush over the spot where I can still feel the phantom print of her hand, trying to get rid of the suffocating sensation.

Holden steps into my vision as close as he can without touching me. “Hurricane, what is it?”

I thrust the bouquet at him and rush toward my trailer, the message on the note repeating in my head. Taunting me. Testing me. Haunting me.

My ex-fiancé is the last person I need in my life right now.

Chapter 9

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