Page 54 of The Fling (Close Quarters 2)

“Why don’t you take a walk, blow off some steam?” I suggest. “Because if Presleydoescall and you’re in this mood, it’s not likely you’ll entice her back.”

Mike looks at me with daggers and then storms out, his two minions following with identical strained expressions. I slump down into a chair and drop my head into my hands.

“What a clusterfuck.”

Gabe laughs and shakes his head. “Mate, I think we passed clusterfuck about a half hour ago. This is a shitpocalypse.”

I snort. “What happened? A bride doesn’t suddenly run away on her wedding day withoutsomekind of red flag.”

“I have no idea.” Gabe shakes his head. “Although I’m clearly not the best judge of who to marry, so what the hell can I say? To be honest, what Mike was saying about Presley... I’m not sure I disagree with her actions.”

I frown. “What do you mean?”

“He was talking shit about how the marriage would bolster his chances of taking over the family business.” Gabe rolls his eyes. “Dad told me recently that Uncle Pat was thinking about retiring soon, which means someone has to take over. There’s one CEO position and two sons, and given Iknowthat Uncle Pat has complained about Mike being immature...well, it appears his solution has been to get himself a wife.”

I gawk. “Seriously?”

“Disgusting, right?” Gabe shakes his head. “I feel like that poor woman dodged a bullet.”

“How are we even related to him?” I cringe. Mike has looked up to Gabe and me ever since we were kids. He never got along with his stepbrother, Sebastian. But Mike was always the kind of kid to take the easy route in life rather than putting in the hard work. “I’m here out of obligation and because Uncle Pat was always kind to us...but that’s it.”

“Same.”

“Do you think Presley overheard something?”

Gabe shrugs. “It’s possible, if she came past the room. Mike loves the sound of his own voice and he talks loud enough to wake the dead.”

“Imagine saying that on his wedding day.” It’s low, even for Mike.

“And don’t think I missed how you jumped to Drew’s defence, either.”

“He shouldn’t have said that. Drew wants Presley to be happy.” Even as I reply, I know I’m giving too much away—but the conversation from earlier is still fresh. Still weighing on me.

Truth is, I feel miserable for how I barked at her when she offered to help with Zoe, and for doubting her. Mostly, I feel miserable because I know she’s leaving tomorrow.

I don’t want her to go.

“You like her,” Gabe says, watching me the way only a big brother can. Like he knows all my secrets and he’s ready to call me on any bullshit. “You like hera lot.”

“Yeah, I do.”

“So that whole time at the rehearsal dinner, while I thought I was playing wise matchmaker...”

“I was already seeing her.”

Gabe snorts. “I should have known. You’re such a dark horse with that stuff. Why were you keeping it a secret? She’s great.”

“She’s leaving.” I ball and flex my hands—it’s a habit that’s stuck from all the dark times after my mother left our family. “Tomorrow. One-way ticket to Fiji.”

“Did she tell you?”

“I saw the ticket.”

“Ouch.” My brother nods, but I know better than to assume he’ll take my side for the sake of brotherly camaraderie. Gabe doesn’t play like that. “I assume you stormed out without giving her a chance to explain.”

“I didn’tstormout,” I reply. “I swiftly exited in a decisive manner.”

“You’re so full of shit.”

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