Page 11 of Crazy In Love
Henley chuckled. “You have to text us to let us know how it goes.”
“I can’t actually picture Bridger apologizing.” Eloise shrugged. “But I will just be happy if he stops being a giant asshole to you.”
“Oh, he’s going to apologize. It’s all I want. He’s accused me of something that I consistently told him I didn’t do, and he’s convinced half the town that I did it, and he owes me a big fat apology,” I said, my voice unwavering. I’d found this inner strength that had given me the courage to start my business—which I’d soon need to tell my parents about—and I was ready to take charge of my life.
Part of that included standing up to people who were unfair to me.
And there were a few.
The first one being Bridger Chadwick.
And I wasn’t leaving without an apology.
“You go, girl!” Lulu wrapped an arm around my shoulder.
“Yes. You set your mind to clear your name, you had me call the police station and arrange the polygraph, and you accomplished what you set out to do. So the apology is the final piece. I get it.” Henley pulled a hat over her ears.
“And I know it’s a big ask, but you can’t tell your men about this, because I don’t want Bridger to have time to be prepared for me. I want to catch him off guard tomorrow. I think that’s the way I’ll get the apology that I want. He won’t see this coming.”
“My lips are sealed,” Eloise said. “Clark knows you’re upset about what Bridger did, obviously. And he knew you wanted to file a defamation suit against him.” She paused, and we all shared a laugh. I was ready to sue the jackass when he’d first made the scene at my store, but Henley had calmed me down. We came up with another solution, and I felt good about it. “He just thinks I’m here celebrating your business, which I am. But the polygraph is a bonus.”
Everyone agreed to keep my secret until tomorrow.
We all started walking, since we lived close enough that it wasn’t too far of a walk home. We parted ways at different points and hugged goodbye, after we’d agreed on a new Mafia romance that we were all starting this week for our book club.
We thought it was very fitting, considering I was about to be a mob boss when I confronted Bridger tomorrow.
Trust me, I was not above going gangster on his ass to get the apology I deserved.
I finished up work for the day, put the Closed sign on the front door of the Vintage Rose, and said goodbye to Beatrice as she headed home for the day. I made my way to the little bathroom in the back, where I applied some fresh lipstick and ran my fingers through my hair.
It wasn’t like I wanted to impress the guy. He hated me. But I wanted to feel confident when I wiped that judgmental smirk from his face.
“You’ve got this. You can do this.” I repeated those words a few times and then dropped my lipstick in my purse and pulled on my coat.
Everyone knew where Bridger Chadwick lived, as he had the largest home in Rosewood River. I personally found it to be a bit menacing, sort of like the man who lived inside.
It was all dark colors and dark stone.
Modern and sleek.
Cold and intimidating.
Luckily his home was on the way home for me, and this was a walk I looked forward to making.
I blew out a breath, my heart pounding in my chest as I walked up the longest driveway I’d ever seen.
You’ve got this. You’re clearing your name, once and for all. He owes you the apology.
The two large wood doors had bold iron accents. I reached for the doorbell and pressed.
Maybe he wasn’t here.
Maybe this was a bad idea.
I could do this in a public place. I could send the copy I’d made in the mail to him.
I didn’t need to be here.
