Page 61 of Red Queen
“That’s still not okay. I asked you not to.”
I sigh, pulling her closer, unfolding her arms to hold her hands in mine. I look up at her with my puppy eyes, trying to soften her.
“I’m really sorry,” I say, even pouting, so she forgives me. When I see her roll her eyes, I know I won. I press a kiss to her hand as a way to thank her. “So, what happened with the flower shop? Everything sorted out?”
“Oh, hell yes. Everything’s on track. They told me what the problem was. I’ll tell you later, though. We’re gonna arrive soon and I have to improve my looks.” I laugh, watching as she saunters away like a diva.
Would this be the right time to say that she always looks fabulous?
40
MATEO
Rosa lets out a long breath next to me while holding onto my arm, and we stop in front of the rustic hotel’s door.
“You can do it. I’ll be right here if you need me.” Even if that’s a promise I shouldn’t say.
I’m still in denial of my feelings, so I can’t let her get too close. Our contract officially ends right after the last race of the season, in Abu Dhabi, and I’m not sure if I’m looking forward to it or not.
“Let’s just get this over with.” Nervousness fills her voice, brushing off my encouraging words. I’m impressed she didn’t fire this woman yet. I would’ve lost my mind already.
We knock, giving the guards—yes, there are guards and no, she’s not some celebrity—our invitations, then step inside. Only a few people are here aside from the workers.
The whole place seems busy. Some are setting up the tables, some are adjusting the flowers, some are checking the electricity, and not one person is bored.
“Oh my god!” A woman shrieks, and I swear if one more person screams when they see us, I’m outta here. I’ve heard enough this week. “You made it! Finally.”
She begrudgingly looks over at Rosa at the last word, then turns back to me with a creepy grin. Wow. Rosa really wasn’t exaggerating when she was telling me how awful the bride is. I know we listen and we don’t judge, but I’m breaking this rule now. I trust Rosa’s instincts and stories.
“Is that… Mateo Acosta?” Another woman shrieks, and I hang my head down while rolling my eyes. Seriously? Rosa only chuckles at my misery. Well, at least I know how to make her smile when she’s tense in the presence of her majesty.
“This is my mother, Ethel.” I try to suppress my laugh while I’m greeting her and the bride. I’m mean, I know.
“And you must be Rhea.” Ethel looks Rosa up and down with such disgust in her gaze that I clench my fist not to interrupt.
“It’s Rosa, actually. Nice to meet you, Gretchen.” I snort at her answer, but the ladies didn’t appreciate it so much. That’s what you get for being smartasses.
“It’s Ethel. And you better watch your mouth, darling, you were the one who blew the order from the flower shop, and my baby’s day is now messed up.” She holds her daughter in a tight hug, that disgust still evident in her gaze, almost spatting on Rosa. “I advise you to play nice from now on. I have some connections that could mess up your day, too, if I immediately fire you.”
“Oh, I’d love to see how you’d manage to survive today without a wedding planner. And the flowers? Let me guess, dear Julie didn’t tell you the whole story?” Ethel looks at her daughter, confused, just as I look at Rosa. “Thought so. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have work to do.”
Rosa grabs my hand and drags me away, making our way back to the reception. They give us one of the rooms on the second floor, and while we’re marching up the stairs, I start interrogating her.
“You gotta tell me the whole story. You dropped a bomb there. That was crazy work.”
“Well, you know I called the flower shop.” She looks back at me, and she continues when I nod. “I confronted them about it and told them I asked for different flowers. They searched for our file and told me there was a call last week, where the caller demanded daffodils, even when they told them it was quite late to change the plan. They even paid extra for it. And guess what? It was a female voice. But the payment went through under the name of Arden Blake.” We stop in the hallway, drinking in her words, trying to put the puzzle pieces together without success.
“And that’s weird because…” I motion for her to continue, because I still don’t understand the story.
“That’s the groom. My theory is that Julie wanted daffodils in the first place, but since her mother is also a diva, she made Julie order roses. And she called the flower shop to change it to daffodils, but she didn’t want her mother to find out, so she paid for them with her fiancé’s card. And now she’s playing the poor victim so Ethel won’t find out.” My eyes widen in shock, my mouth falling open.
Now I understand why Julie is like that. Her mother is the exact same. Seriously, this is your big day, and you have to go behind your own mother’s back to ask for the flowers you want because she doesn’t like the ones you want? This is one messed-up family.
“Well played, Sherlock.” I shake hands with her, then continue on our way to the room.
“Thanks. Now I just have to make sure everything else goes well today, and we can start tomorrow positively. You can stay in the room if you want. Hang out with others. The ceremony only starts at 4 PM tomorrow.” I nod, contemplating my choices. I’m not sure this is a crowd I want to know more about.
We finally reach the room, then she puts the keys into the lock and opens the door. Fuck. I look at Rosa, trying to read her expressions, but she’s good at hiding them now. There’s only one goddamn bed.
