Page 91 of Strictly Business
“It wasn’t my place.” Nina sighs, a sad smile tugging on her lips. “I wanted to, trust me, but… You have to let her do this. We all do.”
Scratch that, maybe she’s not okay with it.
She’s right, I know she’s right, but fuck if it doesn’t hurt.
“He’s just going to hurt her all over again,” I sigh.
“Maybe.” She pulls me into a tight hug, and tears start to form behind my eyes. I take a deep breath pulling them back from the surface before we part. “But, if he does, we’ll be here to pick up the pieces.” Nina squeezes my hand gently before glancing to her left, “Nick is over there if you want to say goodbye. Josh, too.”
I press a quick kiss against her cheek. “Have fun on your trip, and try not to think about work.”
“You try not to get into any trouble. I don’t need any extra messes to clean up when I get back.”
I raise my right hand, covering my pinkie with my thumb, “Scouts honor.”
Nina chuckles and I expect her to join me in my return to the party, but she stays in the same place waiting for me to leave and join the boys. She’s waiting so she can return to the garden and find Michaela. Because while I have to walk away, Nina doesn’t.
Chapter Forty-Eight
MICHAELA
FUCK.
Chapter Forty-Nine
MICHAELA
THE ALARM BLASTS THROUGH my phone speakers on the nightstand across the room, but I’m already awake. I have been most of the night. I spent about five hours tossing and turning before finally giving up. I made a cup of coffee and sat on the balcony overlooking the estate and the Blue Ridge Mountains. We have one more item on the wedding agenda — brunch — and I’m dreading it. The thought of facing Finn after last night… Facing my brother knowing Finn told him about David before I could. I know I should’ve told them before now, but this weekend was not supposed to be about me. It was supposed to be about Nick and Nina — the only way that would happen was if no one knew about my life change.
I stop the alarm and notice I have two text messages, both from David.
My stomach drops at the second message.
Three offers.
That means there’s a good chance one of them is good enough to settle on. The reality of what that means hits me like a ton of bricks. Until this moment, I don’t think I had fully accepted what putting the condo on the market meant. Or I wouldn’t let myself accept it. Now that we’re this close to accepting an offer…
A rush of warmth spreads through me. Blood pounds in my ears as my heart tries desperately to escape its cage. I try to take in a breath, but my airway is constricted, and there is a pallet of bricks on my chest. I force myself to walk the small distance between the bed and the balcony. I grip the railing. I try to take in a deep breath of fresh air, and it helps a little, but not enough. I lower myself onto the ground and plant my hands next to me soaking in the morning chill of the cement.
Deep breath in.
Deep breath out.
Repeat until the tightness in my chest begins to subside, and the warmth begins to dissipate, but now my body feels like it’s vibrating. I close my eyes and take another deep breath. I haven’t had an attack in a long time. It’s only stress from the last few months finally reaching a head. I know after today it will get better. Things will be better…
After a few more breaths, I roll my shoulders trying to relieve some of the tension they hold. It doesn’t work, but I have to get ready. Brunch starts in twenty minutes. I need a shower, I can’t show up looking like I haven’t slept all night — even if I didn’t — or like I just had a mini freak out — even if I did.
"Has anyone seen Finn?" Dean plops down in the seat next to me stuffing a cheese Danish in his mouth. “I gotta talk to him about Christmas."
"I haven't seen him since the bouquet toss," Alex says from behind his coffee mug. Sunglasses hide his eyes from the brutal sunshine beating through the windows. He didn't slow down after I left last night. The proposal rejection is still eating away at him, but I can't say I blame him. Can't imagine it's easy seeing your brother re-marry his wife not long after you propose to your girlfriend, and she rejects you. I still can’t believe she said no.
“Finn left last night," Josh answers from his place next to Alex not looking up from his plate.
Dean rolls his eyes. "What the hell for? We're supposed to hang out today.” His eyes lock on Raeanne when she walks into the restaurant. He follows her every move, even tries to motion for her to sit next to him. She ignores him. She seems to be actively avoiding his stare even when she sits at the end of the table. Weird, normally she'd sit next to Dean.
"Had some family shit to take care of,” is all Josh offers.
Family shit? Yeah, okay.