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chapter thirty-two

RIGHT. SLADE’S THEone for me. I’ve known it all along.

My determination carries me through the car ride and through check-in at the airport.

It’s when I sit down to wait for the plane that doubts start to creep in. I ignore them. Shove them as far away as possible.

When my phone rings, I see Kira’s name staring back at me. “Hello.”

“What are you doing?” Each word is accented with exasperation.

“I’m sitting.” I know full well that wasn’t what she was asking.

“Where might you be sitting?” Kira’s nothing if not persistent.

“Why are you asking?” I’m avoiding the question.

“Why aren’t you answering?” she fires back. “Joss called me. She’s worried about you. I am too.”

“Joss? How does she know your number?” I ask. Are they besties now?

“I have no idea. But she said Slade took off in a huff with his tires screeching. That you took off in an Uber. That everyone in the bed-and-breakfast could hear you yelling. She’s worried about both of you.”

Thin walls are the curse of Sheridan House.

I deflate. I don’t want to hurt Slade, and I don’t want to cause Joss worry. I didn’t realize we’d made such a scene.

“Please tell me you’re not where I think you are.” Kira’s voice is quiet.

“I’m where you think I am. My plane boards in fifteen minutes. Don’t try to talk me out of this. It’s something I have to do.” I rub my forehead. A headache is coming on.

“I regret telling you,” Kira says flatly.

“No, you did the right thing. I have the right to know. Blu’s actions are unfair to me and I want to say it to his face.” My mind knows I’m being irrational, but my heart is telling me to find Blu and tell him off. I’m following my heart, not my head. Not my anger.

I think.

“Why do you really want to see Blu? What are you hoping to achieve? Please tell me you don’t want him back. Please tell me that’s not why you’re going there. Why do you want to stop his wedding? What does it matter to you?” Kira asks with anger in her voice. “You have Slade, and he’s a thousand times better than Blu.”

“I already told you. I need to tell him how wrong he is, and it’s something I need to say to his face.”

“Why?” Kira spouts.

“How can you ask me that after what he did to me? You know why I have to do this. Why can’t you understand?” Why doesn’t anybody understand? Why didn’t Slade understand?

“What about Slade?” Kira asks. “Think about how he must feel. You’re hurting him.”

“I can’t think about that right now. I’m doing this and then I’ll mend my fences.” I’m not backing down. This is something I have to do. I’m a woman scorned, and my fury has been unleashed.

“For the record, I think you’re doing the wrong thing. I love you, Marin. You’re my best friend in the world. I know you well enough to know you’re not thinking clearly right now. Please tread carefully. I hope you find the closure you’re looking for.”

The phone clicks. Kira hung up on me.

I PACE THEgazebo on the hotel property, feeling defeat keenly with every step.

The sounds of happiness, of celebration, of life meet my ears from a distance—loud laughter, the heavy thumping of low bass from a rhythmic band, and the hum of a crowd of people involved in low conversations. I can understand nothing, but I hear everything.

Here I am, hiding from the wedding reception. Hiding from Blu’s happiness. He went through with it this time. He didn’t leave her waiting at the altar. He didn’t break up with her with a letter. He actually joined the institution he said ruined his life.

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