Page 114 of Arranged Silverfox

“That was supposed to stay between us,” Sebastian hissed. I could see a blush creeping up his cheeks.

My phone buzzed halfway throughMamma Mia.I tried to ignore it, but then I saw “DAD” flash across the screen. My father only called me if it was an emergency. I picked up because I figured someone had broken a limb; why else would he call me in the middle of my bachelorette party?

“Hi, Dad, how are you? Is everything okay?”

“No, Rebecca, everything is not okay.” He sounded grave. My heart sank. My palms started to sweat. The only time I’d ever heard him sound like this was when my grandmother was admitted into hospice care. His Mother was still alive, but they barely talked. At the same time, I knew she was getting old.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“Your mother is in pieces. I really wish you would talk to her,” he said. I sighed.

“She said she needed space; I’m giving her space. I don’t particularly want to talk to her right now. I’m in the middle of my bachelorette party.”

“Now you know she didn’t mean that.”

“Really, Dad? How am I supposed to know? Why does she expect me to read her mind all the time?”

“Oh, Rebecca, you know how she gets. Sometimes her emotions get the best of her,” he said.

“Dad, I really can’t deal with this right now. If she wants to talk to me, she can call me. You shouldn’t have to do her bidding.” I hung up the phone and slammed it on the arm of the couch. Sebastian looked away from Meryl Streep, belting in linen overalls.

“Is everything okay?” He asked.

“It’s my dad; he wants me to call my mother,” I glowered. “I’m not going to,” I added before he could say anything, “She’s the one who said she needed space, and she shouldn’t be shoving my dad in the middle of this. I’m not going to reward her for sending my dad to do her bidding,” I snapped.

“You shouldn’t call her. If she wants to talk to you so badly, she can call you,” Jasmine said.

“Agreed,” Sebastian flung his arm around the back of the couch and pulled me close, “Don’t let her ruin your night,” he said, kissing my temple.

I tried to shift my focus back to the mountain of candy before me and the fact that I was surrounded by everyone I loved. But I couldn’t shake the nagging voice in the back of my head, questioning whether or not my mother would be speaking to me on my wedding day.

Chapter 21

Sebastian

Accordingtolastweek’sforecast, the Hamptons were supposed to have clear skies and a cool breeze on September second.

But when I woke up that morning, the sky looked bruised. The humidity hung heavy in the air, making it seem like we were swimming through the heat. The sky was a sickening dark purple flecked with green. The wind whipped open the drapes of my hotel suite as Simon looped my bowtie around my neck.

“That can’t be good,” I said as I buttoned my cufflinks. They were made of distinguished brass, and my initials were carved into them. My grandfather had them made on the day I was born. He stipulated in his will that I was supposed to use them for a special occasion. I couldn’t think of a day more special than today.

“I’m pretty sure it’s good luck if it rains on your wedding day,” Simon said as he handed me his sportscoat. I chose a distinguished slate gray, complimented by a deep burgundy bow tie. The gray brought out the threads of gold in my eyes.

“Simon, that can’t be right,” I said as I shrugged my sport coat on. I examined myself in the full-length mirror. The suit was tailored to fit me like a glove. The stylist had slicked my hair back with the slightest amount of orange-scented mousse. Simon and I went and got haircuts and fresh shaves for this morning. Thanks to the combination of hot towels and a fresh shave, my pores were spotless. I looked good. I knew it. But I couldn’t shake my nerves. I wondered how Becca was doing. I hadn’t talked to her at all this morning, even though her room was down the hall from me; Jasmine maintained a fanatical sense of superstition that forbade me from seeing Becca before we met at the altar.

“Simon, I’m pretty sure it’s the other way around,” I said.

“Nah, this means you can weather storms or some shit. You’ll be fine.” The wind howled, shaking the window.

“At least the wedding’s inside?” Simon said.

I shook my head and glanced at my gold-plated Rolex I broke out for the occasion.

“We should get going,” I said. The ceremony started at three, and it was almost two-thirty.

Simon glanced at his watch. “Oh, shit. You’re right. Your dad texted me. He’s already at the venue,” Simon added. Leave it to my Dad to fail to communicate with me on my wedding day. The man could barely keep his appointments straight, I was surprised he got there on time.

“Shit!” I exclaimed as I unearthed my Gucci loafers from the box. I shoved my feet into them and ignored the stiffness of the leather.

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