Page 23 of Accepted Precedent
Chapter 12
Evelyn
ONE YEAR LATER
“You look like a princess,” I sigh, wrapping my arms around Ileah and resting my chin on her shoulder. It’s bittersweet seeing my friend married off. This was the kind of wedding I was supposed to have when I met the love of my life. Niagara Falls was a better option for Andrew and me, but maybe one day I’ll have something a little more special than a wedding thrown together in a week.
“You do too,” she replies with a painted-on smile literally anyone could see through.
I know too much. This is all a farce, and it’s been a test of my acting skills these past few months, pretending to be a doting bridesmaid, when all I’ve wanted to do is scream to the world that Finn Gallagher is in love with my friend. She loves him too, but with this arranged marriage to Tim, they’ll never be together. How did we both end up as political pawns? At least I care about Andrew. I can’t say the same for Ileah and Tim. She deserves better—we both do.
Jaclyn comes over with three flutes of Champagne. She raises her glass and toasts, “May this be your first of many great husbands.”
I giggle and take a sip. It’s brut Champagne—not a sparkling wine—transporting me back to last year when Mickey and I had breakfast. I glance down at my ring and my heart cracks. I haven’t seen him since my own wedding and hate that he disappeared on us—or at least on me.
“Miss Vasileiou,” a man announces with a knock. “Your bridesmaids are needed for a few photographs in the garden. Your coordinator will be in shortly for any last-minute preparations.”
Ileah calls out to thank them, then tells Jaclyn and me she’ll be there in a minute. We grab our purses and top off our glasses before leaving. Only making it a few feet out the door, I have to do a double take at the man leaning against the wall opposite the bridal suite. I only met Finn Gallagher once—the morning after I slept with Mickey—but I’d know those bright green eyes anywhere.
“Hey, Jaclyn? You go ahead. I’ll be there in a second. I, uh… forgot something in the suite.”
“I’ll wait for you,” she offers, sipping her bubbly.
“No, that’s okay. I’ll be right behind you.”
I offer a bright smile and pretend to walk back into the suite until Jaclyn is out of view, then approach Finn. “What are you doing here?” I whisper-shout, checking to my left and right to ensure no one is in earshot.
“Mrs. Adams. Pleasure to see you again.”
“I know about you and Ileah. You better not be here to ruin her wedding.”
“No.” He shakes his head, but he briefly draws his lips into his mouth to hide his smile. “I just need to see her before she marries him.”
My heart squeezes; he’s just like his brother. “I understand.” I dare to ask, “How’s Mick?”
“He misses you.”
Those three little words nearly break me. What Mickey and I shared was like something out of a movie. Boy meets girl, girl falls for boy, boy disappears. Definitely more of a tragedy than a romantic comedy. “No,” I insist, and swallow thickly. “He doesn’t.”
“Trust me, love. He does. This past year…” Finn blows out a long breath, rubbing the back of his neck. “He lost two people he loves, but he’s more than just a lovesick arsehole. He’s cold. Distant.”
“Mick doesn’t love me,” I huff, checking my surroundings again.
He takes my hand and lifts it to show off my ring. “This says otherwise.”
“It’s my fake engagement ring. It’ll be off my finger in a year.” I take my hand back. “And if he loved me, he wouldn’t have disappeared after the wedding.”
“You know as well as I do, you won’t be divorced next year.” His accent is extra thick as he growls, “My brother had to do what’s best for the country. The health of our nation is too important. You know as well as I do, Andrew needs to win the Maryland seat, and TimFuckingMcKinnon needs to be Governor ofDelaware before he joins Andrew in the Senate. You and Mr. Adams will get everything you’ve always wanted in the end, but Mick and I don’t get to be with the people we love.”
The Gallaghers are Washington’s directors, not the stars. My heart breaks for them. Even if Andrew and I divorce, would either of us have a relationship with Mickey? If it ever got out, it could ruin Andrew’s chances at reelection.
He’s incorrect—I’m not going to get everything I’ve always wanted.
I wrap my arms around Finn, and it takes him by surprise. “Tell him I miss him too. I always will.”
“I promise,” he sighs and holds me tighter. “You know how this ends, don’t you?”
I nod against him. “I’m caught in the web, just like Ileah.”
