Page 65 of A Kind Wedding: Christian & Charleigh

“We’re not leaving you, darling,” Aunt Barb said.

“I’ll be fine.”

I didn’t know if Christian was in surgery or not, but I took my chances and went to his office. When I walked in, he was sitting behind his desk.

“Charleigh, what’s wrong?” he asked as he saw I had been crying.

“Christian.” The tears poured down my face.

He stood up from his chair and ran over to me.

“What happened?” He gripped my shoulders.

“The Beverly Hills Hotel had a fire, and I don’t think we can get married there anymore.” I sobbed.

“What?” He wrapped his arms around me and held me tight.

“I saw Mr. Russo outside the hotel, and he was devastated. He said they’ll most likely have to close down for repairs and didn’t think any weddings will be able to take place there for a while. He said he’ll keep me posted. What the fuck are we going to do?” I cried as my head lay on his shoulder.

“Sweetheart, you need to calm down.” He broke our embrace and stared into my eyes. “Everything is going to be okay.”

“How can you say that?” I shouted. “We’re supposed to get married in three weeks! Three fucking weeks, Christian. We have no venue, and we sure as fuck won’t be able to find one on this short notice.” I turned away from him and threw my hands in the air. “It’s another sign.”

“Charleigh, stop saying that right now!” He commanded.

“Why, Christian?” I turned and faced him. “The first sign was when the printing company put the wrong names on our invitations. The second sign was my father going into cardiac arrest and almost dying, and now this is the third sign! The universe does not believe we should get married!”

“Don’t you dare stand there and say that to me. The things that have happened so far, I have fixed. Have you forgotten that? I will fix this, and we will have the perfect wedding.”

“This is too much stress. I literally cannot deal with it,” I cried. “Maybe we should just go somewhere and elope—this weekend. We can do it this weekend. We’ll fly to Vegas and do it.”

“We are not going to Vegas, and we are not eloping, babe. I will take care of this.”

“Oh, my God. The invitations. We have to let everyone know. Three hundred people, Christian!” I started hyperventilating.

“Charleigh.” He grabbed the sides of my face as my eyes stared into his. “Breathe. There you go. Slow, deep breaths.”

As soon as I calmed myself, Christian swooped down, picked me up, and carried me over to his couch.

“You’re not going anywhere until you calm down,” he said as he kissed my forehead.

* * *

Christian

I couldn’t believe this was happening. I needed to be in surgery in thirty minutes, but couldn’t leave her like that, so I stepped out of my office and called her mom.

“Hello, Christian.”

“Jillian, I need your help.”

“What’s wrong?”

“There was a fire at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Charleigh said that Mr. Russo told her all the weddings would most likely have to be canceled for a while. She’s here in my office, and she’s a total wreck. I have to be in surgery in thirty minutes, and I was hoping you could come get her, take her home, and stay with her.”

“I’m on my way. I can be there in fifteen minutes. I can’t believe this, Christian.”

“I can’t either. Thank you. I’ll see you when you get here.”

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