She thinks I’m Brendan’s date.
Oh. Freaking. No.
Remember my theory about things always getting worse?
I really hate being right.
TWO
Scarlett
My mouth opens to respond, but no words come out. I’m sure I wouldn’t forget something this huge, even if I was dead tired.
Isabella’s face softens as she lays a hand on my arm. “This is what Ialwayshoped for.”
I swallow down the rising knot in my throat. How am I going to tell this woman that Brendan did not, under any circumstances, ask me to be his date to his sister’s wedding? Because that’s one thing I’m sure of. And now I’m going to break her heart by letting her know it’s a mistake.
“Well, uh…thank you, but?—”
“Has he mentioned the schedule yet?” she says, opening her purse. “We have an entire week of events at my brother-in-law, Rafael’s estate before the wedding. Spa days, shopping, and parties. You’ll come to these as well?” She looks as if she’s pinning all her hopes on my answer.
Even if Brendanhadasked me, and I, for some unfathomable reason,hadagreed, I wouldn’t be able to get away from our family business for an entire week. Especially not with my parents taking a leave of absence. Eli was supposed to help. That was the plan, anyway. But somewhere between my brother’s last new idea and the one before that, helping the family stopped making the list.
So it’s just me. It’s always just me.
“Mrs. Marco?—”
“Isabella,” she corrects me again.
“Isabella. I’m very sorry to tell you this…” I wince, trying not to make this any more awkward. “But there’s been some kind of mistake.”
“Mistake?” Her smile falters. “What mistake?”
The hopeful look on her face makes me hesitate. I can’t tell her I’m not the girl Brendan asked as his plus-one. That would be humiliating for both of us. So I go for another angle, one that’s just as truthful.
“Well, I can’t take time off from work.”
Gabriella slides in next to me. “I can cover for you here.” She discreetly bumps me with her elbow, and I shoot her awhat are you doing?glare.
She raises her eyebrows, begging me to trust her.
I most definitely do not trust the woman who barely keeps a man for a week to unravel this fiasco. “You have another job, remember? As the Crushers’ athletic trainer.”
“I can fill in between appointments,” she chirps. “And you need to hire some more help anyway. This will force you to take some time off.”
What is happening right now?
My best friend is actively encouraging Brendan’s mother to believe I’m attending a week of wedding festivities I haven’t even been invited to. Isabella Marco is going to have a heart attack when she realizes I’m not Brendan’s date.
“Oh, good!” Isabella claps her hands, her relieved smile melting the tension. “I’m so glad you can come.” She pulls an elegant invitation from her purse and slides it across the counter.
It’s printed on cream cardstock with gold lettering that looks like something the Princess of Wales would use for a royal tea party.
“Well,” I begin, still unsure how to extricate myself. Because despite everything that’s happened between Brendan and me, Istill like his mother verymuch. She’s everything I would want in a future mother-in-law. But since Brendan’s not my boyfriend, disappointing her feels wrong somehow.
I crinkle my nose, hating what I’m about to do. “I’m not sure how to say this.”
She frowns. “Are you worried about leaving your father for a week? I’ll be happy to provide assistance any way I can.”