“Yes, ma’am.” Smiling, I head for the elevator. By the time I’m downstairs, it’s a little after eight. I look around for Jace, but the hotel lobby is empty. Did we say we’d meet in our room? I shoot him a quick text.
Me: I’m in the lobby.
I wait for another ten minutes, but there’s no sign of him. By half past, I’m annoyed. His heart is in the right place, but I’m not sure he should be making promises when he can’t keep them. At least not while we’re on tour.
Me: I’m going to the reception before it gets too late. Be back in an hour.
I reserve all the things I want to say for an in-person conversation. Like, why couldn’t he text me to let me know he couldn’t come? Or that he was running late?
Calm down, Aurora. The man’s trying.
When I get to the Oasis Hotel two blocks away, I put a pin in my annoyance because I’m suddenly aware that I’m here for my ex’s wedding reception.
The lobby is gorgeous with sleek, retro couches and aMad Menvibe.This place must cost a fortune for a wedding reception. I wonder if my father is paying for it.
Nervous, I duck into a restroom in the lobby and reapply my lip gloss. I’m wearing another one of Honey’s outfits. She let me borrow several for my date with Jace and then told me to keep them while she was pregnant because none of them fit her.
I’m wearing a purple sheath dress with a boat neck, or at least that’s how Honey described it. It’s almost off-the-shoulder with small straps and a pair of black heels, compliments of Baylee. Who knew you could borrow fashion from friends?
I’m tempted to put on more makeup, but I don’t want to try so hard for this.
Standing in front of the mirror, I give myself a pep talk. I’m going in there, grabbing my dad, and talking to him for a few minutes. I’ll be polite to Taylor and Hayden if I happen to see them. Hopefully, they’ll be too busy with guests to notice me.
It’s a solid plan.
As I exit the bathroom, someone shouts my name, and I turn and see Jace jogging toward me in a suit.
I’ve never been so relieved in my life. “There you are.”
“Sorry I’m late.” Ducking down, he kisses me. “I was halfway here when I realized I was wearing jeans and a ratty t-shirt, so I went back to our room to change. I don’t know what the fuck I did with my phone or I would’ve called you to let you know I was running late. It’s probably back at the rehearsal room, but I wasted ten minutes looking for it before I said fuck it and left.”
Now I feel like a jerk for getting upset with him. I adjust his tie. “Is this the suit you wore to our wedding?”
Grinning, he nods. “One and the same.” His smile fades. “Is it wrinkled? I had it in a garment bag, but I should’ve pulled it out earlier.”
“It’s fine. You look very handsome. Thanks for going through the trouble of changing. You didn’t have to do that.”
“Uh, yeah, I did. I’m meeting your dad. I can’t do that looking like a hobo.” He laces our fingers together as he gives me a once-over. Leaning close, he whispers, “You look fucking edible.”
Blushing, I kiss him. “Thank you. Listen, Taylor is probably going to be really nice because she wants everyone here to think she’s the perfect angel and I’m the asshole.”
He cups my face. “Don’t worry. I got you.”
Grateful that he came, I kiss him again. Although I thought I could do this alone, I’m relieved Jace is by my side. We follow the sign for Taylor and Hayden’s reception. “Is Frank upset you left?”
He tilts his head one way, then the other. “Ehh.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means that I might not have told him I was leaving.”
“What?” I stop and turn to him. “That means what exactly?”
“I told him I needed a break, and I’d be back in a little while.”
My head drops forward. “Jace. He’s going to be pissed.”
“Maybe, maybe not. I just don’t have it in me to grovel to my manager. I pay him. And tonight is important to you, so it’s important to me. I don’t feel the need to explain that to anyone.”