Page 86 of A Lot to Unpack
Only one way to find out.
‘Ahhhhhhhhhh!’
It bursts out of me, loud, primal even, and totally ridiculous. I half-expect a bird to drop out of a tree in shock. Animals to wake up from hibernation – a bear to pop out and maul me. Go ahead, buddy, make my day.
My breath clouds in front of me. My heart slows. Weirdly… that did help. Who knew?
Maybe if it all gets too much later, I’ll come back out here and scream again. And again and again. Between that and prosecco, maybe I can get through today.
‘I know family weddings are rough,’ a voice calls out, amused, from behind me. ‘But that seemed a bit overdramatic.’
It sounds like Jordan but… it can’t be, can it? I turn around, half expecting to have completely imagined the voice altogether, but there he is, standing there, looking like a dream in a black suit.
‘Hi,’ he says, smiling like he’s just popped his head through the adjoining door.
I blink at him.
‘Is it… really you?’ I blurt.
He laughs.
‘Why wouldn’t it be?’
I take a few shaky steps towards him. ‘Because I’ve had a lot of prosecco already, to the point where screaming in a car parkfelt like a good idea,’ I point out. ‘But also because I assumed that you hated me. That you’d never want to see me again…’
He shrugs, but I can tell he’s trying to suppress a smile.
‘I can see why you might’ve thought that,’ he replies.
I don’t think – I just run. I throw my arms around him, and I’m so relieved when he catches me and holds me close. Even if he did hate me, I don’t care. I never thought I’d see him again. It’s so good to see him.
‘Sorry I’m late,’ he murmurs into my hair.
‘Better late than never,’ I whisper. Then I pull back slightly, so I can look at him. ‘I didn’t think you were coming. Or that you even knew where to find me. How did you…?’
He grins cheekily.
‘I don’t want to add to the narrative that all men are creeps, but with just a little mild stalking… I found your former employer, from your file – Paige must’ve deleted your number – and so I called your old workplace. Spoke to a guy called Ben – is thattheBen?’
‘The one and only,’ I tell him.
‘Well, I told him I was your date for the wedding, but that I didn’t know where it was… or your number… and he sent me here. Thinking about it, I’m lucky he gave me the right place.’
I laugh, but my face falls as reality sets in. My stomach tightens.
‘Tell me you didn’t sign the contract. The bad one,’ I blurt.
He nods.
‘Actually… I did.’
Shit.
‘Jordan, I’m so sorry, I didn’t?—’
‘Don’t worry,’ he cuts in gently. ‘I saw both versions. I read them both. Silly of Paige to think I wouldn’t read the contract before I signed. It was obvious, even without two in the mix, that she was trying to sneak in a clause giving her complete control ofMatcher US. Like I wouldn’t notice. Anyway, I called her. Called her out. She admitted everything. Said she deserved it. Then she ranted about you messing it up, how she should’ve told you her plan, offered you more money…’
‘She told me I was fixing a typo,’ I say, for what it’s worth.
