Page 33 of Mistletoe Bargain with the Billionaire

Just the two of them.

“What the fuck?” I mutter under my breath, forgetting all about my no cursing at the holidays rule.

“There you are, Carol,” little old Grams says to me affably as my little old heart feels like it’s being plucked to pieces. “Marley hired the most god awful wedding singer. I told her to use Simon and Sue but did she listen to me? No, she did not and now the louse she’s paid good money for hasn't even appeared in time for their upcoming first dance.”

“That’s too bad,” I say automatically with my mind elsewhere. Where did he go with her?

“Yes so…”

Grams fidgets a moment. Grams was never one for fidgeting. She was very much against it when we were kids.

“I am sorry for any negative remarks I made with regards to your career the other night and recall quite well what a beautiful voice you have, Carol. I was wondering if you might save the day for us. Please, dearie?”

I blink, clearing away some of my anguish, and stare at Grams. She wants me to sing? At her granddaughter’s wedding? Can I do that while Nick’s MIA with Lydia?

Of course, I can. I’m a singer, this is what I do for a living.

And, one look at Marley tells me she’s distressed over this reception disaster. I don’t want her to be distressed. Being a bride is trying enough without your singer dropping out on the big day.

Who knows? Maybe being a wedding singer in Whistler could be my next career move, too.Might make enough to pay my phone bill anyway.

“Uh… okay. I’d be happy, too.”

Grams pats my hand, all smiles. “Thank you, Carol. I knew you’d do it, such a nice girl. You were always there for Nicholas when you were children. I know he’ll appreciate this as well. After all, he was commenting on how talented you are at dinner the other night.”

Yes, dinner the other night when he spoke up for me and we had sex for the first time later. What does it even mean if he’s disappeared with his ex now though?

“Did Marley and Jake have a song picked out for their first dance?”

“Yes, but nothing traditional, I’m afraid,” Grams tells me with a sigh. “With the season and all, they wanted to do something reflecting that. It’s a newer song. I do hope you know it.”

Dread fills me because I just know this is the way of my life but I have to ask anyway. “What song?”

“‘Mistletoe Muse.’Do you know it?”

“Yeah, I know it,” I whisper.

I’m going to vomit.

20-Nick

Hurrying back to the reception, my stomach clenches uncomfortably as I hear the familiar opening notes ofthatsong. Dammit, is this what Marley chose for their first dance? She’d only told me what she’d chosen for our dance, cackling the whole while.

The last thing Carol needs is to have to sit through this, especially as she’s probably wondering where I am by this point.

And the last thing I’d needed were Lydia’s pitiful theatrics. I didn’t want drama at my sister’s wedding so, when Lydia’s voice turned high-pitched and whiny, I thought it’d be best to step outside. Not making that mistake again. My jacket smells like Lydia’s cloying perfume now. Fuck.

The ballroom lights have been turned down and my heart sinks when I realize Carol’s not at our table. Did she bolt because of the song?

Slipping into my seat, I’m reassured that her bag is still where she left it. I don’t think she’d leave the wedding without that at least. Then, I notice the corner of her journal poking out and feel a surge of annoyance. I warned her last night to be more careful about where she leaves it.

My email hacking today was successful. I think between that and what Anthony’s PI found, we’ll have enough to bring suit against Della-Fontaine. But having Carol’s original draft of the song can’t hurt so I don’t want the journal to disappear.

And no, I don’t want our contract discovered either.

I tuck Carol’s journal further into her bag and look around, casting a quick glance at my sister and her new husband but also hoping to see Carol.

Then, I do see her.

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