Chapter 3

3

"I can't plan a wedding for them."

My business partner sounded worried. "Jake, they asked for you specifically. You know, if you don't do it, our business..."

One word from Ashley's family could ruin me in this town.

I hung up and sank back into bed.

Ashley was doing this on purpose.

She wanted me to plan her wedding.

They were taunting me, and I couldn't do anything about it.

I quickly pulled myself together and headed to the venue.

It was a gorgeous lavender field.

The breeze rustled through the lavender, creating waves of purple.

I'd picked this spot because Ashley said lavender was her favorite.

I wanted to spend the most important day of my life in a field of lavender, holding hands with the woman I loved, ready for the rest of our lives together.

Now, the flowers just made me sick.

I pushed down the nausea and spoke with Chad about the wedding, keeping it strictly professional.

He had a million complaints, constantly pointing things out, demanding changes.

Ashley sat next to him, patient and quiet.

She leaned against Chad, looking completely at ease.

Just days ago, she was leaning on me, listening to my plans for our wedding.

After torturing me for hours, Chad said, "Never mind. Just go back to the original plan. After all, Jake knows the original plan better than anyone. I trust him with it."

I stared at the pages of notes on my tablet, my fists clenching.

"The original plan" was the plan I made for my own wedding.

Ashley knew it.

Chad saw the look on my face and grinned.

He casually added, "The wedding is tomorrow morning. A little last-minute, but I know you can handle it. Right?"

I froze.

My wedding to Ashley was supposed to be tomorrow morning.

I glanced up and met Chad's smug stare.

The wedding I spent a month planning was now Chad's.

It was gross.

After a long pause, I forced out a "Sure."

Chad put his arm around Ashley, his smile sharp. "Ashley, Jake is doing us such a huge favor. We should give him a big tip."

Ashley said flatly, "He's just doing his job. What else would I pay him for?"

Chad laughed.

I bit my tongue, closing my eyes.

"You're right. It's my job. Anything for my clients."

I worked all night.

The wedding started at 10 AM sharp.

As I turned to leave, I felt dizzy. My head was burning up, and my legs felt weak.

I was running on fumes, but someone grabbed my arm.

I opened my eyes. It was Ashley.

I instinctively pushed her away.

She looked surprised, then her face hardened. "What are you doing? Get back to work. Or are you hoping to be the groom?"

I tried to smile.

I didn't have the energy to fight with her.

I turned away, but someone called my name.

Chad stood there in a custom-tailored suit.

I couldn't help but notice the suit.

Ashley had picked it out for me.

Now, Chad was wearing it.

My fingers dug into my palms, and my mind started to fray.

Chad gave a dramatic whistle, and the smile on his face was as fake as could be. "Like the suit? Does it go with the scenery?"

I couldn't speak, so I just nodded.

His smile widened, and he looked me up and down. "Do you think you could be our emcee?"

Something inside me snapped.

I looked up, my eyes blazing.

Ashley seemed to love my reaction. "Did you hear that? Chad wants you to emcee the wedding. Be grateful!"

I managed a sarcastic smile. "What if I don't want to?"

Ashley just looked at me. "Then I guess you're not very good at your job. I'm sure a business this small can be destroyed pretty quickly!"

I bit my tongue. The metallic taste of blood filled my mouth, pushing down the bitterness in my throat.

This was pathetic.

Couldn't we just leave each other alone?

I never wanted to make a scene.

Even if I wasn't this angry, I would still avoid them.

Why did she have to humiliate me like this?

Numbly, I nodded.

I brushed past them, heading for the altar.

As I walked by Chad, I stopped for a moment.

"The suit doesn't fit," I whispered. "The shoulders are too loose, the waist is too tight."

I didn't see the look on Chad's face. I just walked away.