Page 35 of The Man She Loves to Hate

“Thank you, Trick. I pride myself on my penmanship, so that means a lot.” Her mother’s mouth twisted. “I suppose your father and Louis are on the golf course. I do not know why he continues to be loyal to the man who broke your heart.”

“Louis didn’t break my heart, Mom” Rylee was quick to argue. “He broke our engagement.”

“You don’t have to downplay it, darling.”

“I’m not. I didn’t love Louis in the way a wife should love a husband.” Rylee frowned. This wasn’t an epiphany she’d had before, and she wasn’t entirely sure where it had come from. It sure as hell felt true, so she continued with her stream of thought. “I don’t know if I dated him because he was convenient or because I was shuffling along a chosen path.”

“Ultimately, you un-chose that path.” Her mother sounded almost defensive before she added, “I’m proud of you for speaking your mind. Your father and I were less than thrilled to hear that the wedding was called off, but only because we assumed you were happy. Then you started your business and we saw what happy actually looks like on you.”

“Thanks,” Rylee said, meaning it.

“Does she seem happy to you, Trick?”

To his credit, he didn’t shift under Regina’s scrutiny. “She does.”

Rylee puffed her chest. Trick had seen the real her. Not as a perfectionist who worried herself ragged over every detail, but as a strong woman who knew her own mind. How many times had he poked fun at her for wearing shoes she hated? Like he’d been daring her to kick them and go barefoot. Too many to count.

“Try not to take your father’s behavior personally. You know he’ll golf with anyone.” When her mother’s comment failed to lighten the mood, she added, “For all of Louis’s faults, heisa good employee. Not CEO material, though. Despite what he thinks, he will never be in charge.”

“I suppose that stick in his ass comes in handy. You can prop him in the corner during long meetings,” Trick said.

Regina, her hand on her chest, let out an unladylike guffaw. Rylee wasn’t sure what was funnier—Trick’s quip or her mother losing her composure.

“Trick, you must come back and visit.” Regina handed the box of place cards to Rylee. “Bring him for dinner the next time you’re both in town.”

Rylee swallowed the argument that bringing him to dinner wouldn’t be possible. This was a four-night stand, not a relationship. But her mother didn’t need to know the gory details. She stood from the porch swing. “We should be going. Thank you for this. You’re a lifesaver.”

“You’re welcome. It was fun to be a part of a couple’s special day. Trick, I enjoyed talking with you.”

“I enjoyed it as well.” He kissed her mother’s cheek and then he and Rylee stepped off the porch and angled toward the driveway.

Before they got too far, Regina called out, “If you ever need a calligrapher in the future, feel free to consider me!”

Trick’s eyebrows sprang to his forehead when he exchanged glances with Rylee, who offered a clumsy, “Oh-okay. Sure,” in answer to her mother’s offer.

Sixteen

Ariana and Xavier were due to arrive at Sheen well after the seven o’clock rehearsal dinner, so Rylee was at ease as she glided through the restaurant and into the kitchen where Colin was bustling about with his staff. He finished instructing one of his sous-chefs before dashing over to her, his eyes wild.

“Last minute change-up, Rylee,” he said, his Irish brogue thicker than usual. Maybe stress amplified his accent. “The dinner is now a cocktail party, so we’ve reimagined the menu.”

“A...cocktail party?”

Colin went on to describe the small plates he’d whipped up last minute, developed from ingredients that were originally going to make up a five-course dinner.

“Xavier called right after I talked to you. He said Ari wanted a casual cocktail party with tapas, and that they extended invitations to out-of-town guests.” He stroked his beard as he studied Rylee with his penetrating green stare. “He didn’t call you?”

“Um. I, uh, must have missed a text.” She slapped on a smile.

“Well, it shouldn’t change anything for you. Corynna’s setting up the flowers now. If you see her, can you send her back?” His sous chef called out and Colin answered succinctly before swiping his brow. “It’s a bloody madhouse.”

“Is there a message I can pass along to her to save you a few seconds?” The kitchen was literally vibrating with activity. “You seem to have your hands full.”

“Yes.” He gave her a handsome smile. “Tell her I need the edible flowers for the gorgonzola and fruit plate. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

Rylee left the kitchen projecting much more ease than she felt. Another last-minute change from the bride and groom? She hoped there weren’t any more surprises to come in the next few days.

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