Page 13 of Entwined in Fate

No, Estelle,I tell myself.You humiliated yourself enough. We’re just getting the ring and leaving. That’s it.

“Hi,” Carter beams as he takes the seat adjacent to me.

I avoid his eyes as much as possible. “Hi. Thank you for… seeing me as soon as you could.”

“Of course,” he replies with a sincere smile.

I choose not to waste more time. “So, the ring…”

While I expect him to scour his pockets for it, he leans back in his chair. “Ah, yeah. About that… I think I’ll give it to you after we have coffee together. What do you think?”

It doesn’t seem like I have any choice, so I buy him coffee.

And as much as I’m uncomfortable, I sit through an hour-long session of small talk.

I put up with all his questions and remarks; at least up until he says, “So, about that night—”

“Let’s not go there,” I say with urgency, looking everywhere but his face. “I-I don’t want to talk about it. Please.”

Carter can probably hear the mild desperation in my voice, like the strength of pure espresso attempting to be canceled out by scoops of ice. He answers in resignation, “Well, alright. What do you want to talk about then?”

With frustration, I confess, “Nothing. I just want the ring back.”

I feel bad that I’m treating Carter with such disdain, but I don’t want to imagine what other stupid things I did that night.

Carter is silent for a few seconds. Then, finally, he reaches into his pocket and puts the ring on the table. “I was being insensitive, wasn’t I?”

“N-no!” I step back a little. “It’s just… I’m a little ashamed of how things went down between us.”

I glance at him through my eyelashes. He nods understandingly. “Well, we don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to.”

I reach for the ring and put it inside my jacket pocket, instead of slipping it on my finger. I’m worried he would think I’m some kind of easy girl who sleeps with everybody despite being engaged.

Finally getting what I need, I abruptly stand. “Thank you for taking the time to meet me.”

Carter also stands. “Can I at least drive you back to your place?”

I shake my head, preparing to leave. “No, but thanks for the offer.”

As I walk away from the table, he speaks behind me, “When can I see you again?”

I freeze a little at the question. I mean, why would he want to see me again?

So, I glance back at him with a sorry expression on my face. “Carter, I think you’re a great guy, but I don’t think we should see each other again.”

Even though it’s my idea, Carter’s slow nod of agreement makes my chest constrict. He mumbles, “Got it.”

Chapter Six

WithMomandAuntOlive joining us for the next few days, canceling the wedding—and all the jobs it comes with—became much easier.

Along with Clara, we’ve spent the rest of our morning emailing guests about the cancellation of the wedding due to ‘personal reasons,’ as well as calling suppliers with regards to their cancellation policies.

Since the wedding is only a week away, most of our suppliers refuse to return what we have already paid. In fact, we even have to pay more—especially with the coordinators and designers.

The only supplier we got a bit of a refund from is the caterers.

Even the venue, we have to pay in full. They said they couldn’t fill that slot anymore because it’s too close.

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