Page 66 of Love to Prove You Wrong

“Well, what about the wedding?”

I rolled my eyes. “The wedding? Seriously? Find someone else to be your plus one, because it isn’t going to be me. I hear Ashley is still available and very eager.”

I ran out of Dave’s Diner without looking back and let the tears that were choking me run free. For a moment I’d hoped Justin would run after me, but as I got into my car, he was nowhere to be seen. It was all over.

I never thought I’d have to admit it, but Diane had been right after all. Justin Miller was trouble and it was sad that I’d only discovered it after putting my heart on the line.

Chapter Twenty-Three

The inn had never been busier. All kinds of people were scurrying around, trays of clean glasses were being put on tables, every spot was being dusted one last time. And I had taken refuge in the small room where we kept the cleaning supplies. I couldn’t stay away for long, since Asher and Layla were getting married in a couple of hours, but I needed a five-minute breather.

Justin hadn’t stopped calling me for an entire day. When he got the clue that I wasn’t planning on answering, he had started sending me text messages. They ranged from apologies and pleas to talk to him, to gifs of Kermit the Frog looking out of the window, a sad look on his face.

No matter how much I wanted to feel his strong arms around me again, I couldn’t let that happen. I didn’t want to be with someone I could only have secret rendezvous with. If I committed to a relationship, it would have to be with a guy who was there for me, always. I mean, what if a year without us being together turned into two, then three? Crocodile Man was so popular that they’d probably make a gazillion sequels. It was a gamble I wasn’t prepared to take.

There was a firm knock on the door. “Addy?”

I pushed the door ajar and Carter’s face came into view. “I know you told me not to bother you for five minutes, but I need you outside. There’s a problem with the length of the red carpet.”

“I’ll be right there,” I said. “Thanks, Carter.”

“Great, I’ll tell Diane you’re on your way.”

I took three deep breaths, slapped on a smile, and marched outside. Diane was arguing with one of the guys from the party rental business we had hired. He looked seventeen, tops, and terrified.

“I hear there’s a problem with the red carpet.” I threw the guy a reassuring smile. “Maybe I could help.”

“A problem? You mean a disaster. The red carpet is ten inches too short. Ten whole inches.” Diane uttered the words with such volume that I cringed.

“I’m sure we can fix that, can’t we?” I asked the teenager. By now he probably regretted taking on an after-school job.

“I’m going to get my boss,” he said. “We might have an extra in the van.”

He scurried away like a scared rabbit.

Diane’s nostrils flared and I put a hand on her arm. “Why don’t you go inside and get yourself a drink? I’ll ask Alex to make one especially for you.”

She pushed my hand away and rubbed the spot as if I had put my germs all over her. “I can’t. I’m needed out here.”

I looked her in the eye. “Diane, listen to me. This is a stressful day for everyone involved, but weddings are all about love and joy. I wouldn’t want you to get caught up in the details. You can trust me to take care of them. This day will be over before you know it and you’ll never forgive yourself if you don’t enjoy yourself.”

She pursed her lips and pushed air out of her nose. “I guess you’re right. Do you promise you have everything under control?”

I nodded and put my hand on her back to gently nudge her inside. “I do. I’ll take care of the red carpet and then I’ll go check on the bride. You’ve got nothing to worry about.”

I approached the teenager, who was standing near the company van. “Excuse me. About the red carpet?”

The guy flinched, probably thinking I’d get mad at him as well.

“I just wanted to see whether you guys will be able to fix this. If not, I’m sure there’s another solution,” I said with a smile.

The guy’s features relaxed. He called his boss over, who nodded and opened the doors to the van. “We have a spare one that we can use.”

“Thank you,” I said. “And sorry about before.”

The boss let out a laugh. “Don’t worry about it. The kid got scared, but if he wants to work in this industry, he’ll have to toughen up. I’ve had people freak out over the most insignificant things. Trust me, I’ve seen it all.”

As soon as the red carpet was replaced with one ten inches longer, I went upstairs to check on the bridal party. Asher and Layla weren’t going to spend their wedding night at the inn, but I had offered them two of our new floral-themed rooms to get themselves – and their bridesmaids and groomsmen – ready for the wedding.

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