Page 124 of Puck and Prejudice

Lydia looks at Izzie and tearfully says, “I want to go back to my room.”

“I’ll take her,” Jane offers. “Come on, hon.”

Chad drags Wickham off the ground and then shoves him forward. “You’re done here.”

“Are you fucking mad? I wasn’t kissing that girl. I’m not stupid.”

I’m done with him. “You better shut the hell up or I’ll tell everyone why I had to sign that NDA.”

“You’re bluffing,” he seethes.

“Am I? I can afford to break that contract. You’ll be lucky to find a job after I’m done with you.”

Wickham’s face washes out of color. He knows I don’t make empty threats.

“Take this trash out.” Chad gives Wickham another shove straight in the direction of two hotel security guards I didn’t even notice had arrived at the scene.

I wonder for a moment who would have thought to alert security so quickly, but then I remember Aunt Catherine is here, and that’s something she’d do. Their presence at the party was her idea, after all, which I thought was overkill, but now I’m grateful.

“You’re all going to regret this!” Wickham shouts.

The security guards grab him by the arms and escort him out. I wish he’d fight their hold so the guards could rough him up some more.

“I can’t believe you treated my boyfriend like that,” Caroline whines.

Chad levels her with a hard stare. “If I hear so much as one word out of your mouth defending that scum, you might as well not attend the wedding.”

She wipes the corners of her eyes. “Whatever. It’s not like you wanted me here anyway.”

Louisa comes out and hurries to our spot. “What happened? I just saw Jane with Lydia.”

“I’ll tell you later,” Chad replies. “You should take Caroline back to her room. She isn’t feeling well.”

Caroline whips her face toward him, glowering, then strides back to the restaurant without waiting for Louisa.

The mood couldn’t be worse. I’m sure Chad is feeling as guilty as I am about what just happened. I don’t know how I can make the situation better.

Izzie walks over and stops in front of me. She must be upset, but I can’t read her emotions right now. Suddenly, she frames my face between her hands and, rising on her toes, kisses me in front of Chad and Louisa.

The world ceases to exist. I wrap my arms around her waist, pulling her closer to me. The kiss isn’t long, but I feel all the emotion Izzie puts into it. After a moment we pull back, but not apart. Izzie’s forehead is pressed against mine when she says, “I love you, Jackson.”

ChapterFifty

IZZIE

Instead of taking Lydia back to the room she’s sharing with our parents, Jane took her to her room. It was providential that our parents had already retired from the party when the whole drama unfolded. If Mom had been there, it would have been much worse.

Lydia is in bed with Jane, resting her head on her lap when I enter the room. She seems to be asleep—or she’s just pretending to avoid talking about the incident.

“How is she?” I ask.

“She’s okay. I think she was more embarrassed than traumatized.”

I sigh. “Yeah, it didn’t sound like she was with Gavin by coercion. She was enjoying herself.”

Jane rests her head against the bed frame. “Not a lick of sense in her head.”

“Sure, but she’s a teenager. The blame is solely Gavin’s. He’s the predator who didn’t care that she’s underage.”

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