This time Payton did roll her eyes. “I’ll hardly be gallivanting, Mother. This flight is direct to Mexico, and I’ll take a cab to the hotel. But if you’re so disappointed, you’re free to call Brad and share your dissatisfaction with him.” Payton couldn’t hide the frustration from her voice. She didn’t know why it surprised her when Brad bailed on her; he’d become so good at it as of late. She’d hoped this weekend would be a chance for them to reconnect, to remember why they were going through this elaborate planning in the first place—or her mother’s elaborate planning, anyhow. Not going to happen now.
“Payton Vaughn,” her mother chastised, “you know better than to get angry at poor Bradley. He’s done nothing but show you over the years how much he adores you. If something called him away, then you can be certain he had a very good reason. Honestly, he’s only trying to provide for you and the wonderful life you’ll have together. A few sacrifices here and there will all be worth it. Just remember that gorgeous mountain villa he’s building for you outside Jackson Hole.”
Which was true. Payton had known Brad since his family moved to Salt Lake when she was in junior high. At twelve, she’d had little interest in the flashy seventeen-year-old who thought he was a gift to all woman kind. He’d gone off to college, and she hadn’t given him a second thought until he’d returned two years ago for his parent’s anniversary. Still arrogant and certain of his appeal, Payton had been immune to his charms initially. But his perseverance eventually paid off and three months later she relented and went on a date with him, discovering that underneath that shiny surface was someone who could make her laugh with his insight and wit. Plus, there was the fact that he knew what it was like living with overbearing parents who had your future planned since conception. His proposal a year later made sense.
Even if the news became the source of her mother’s unbridled excitement, certain she’d been responsible for the union .
The announcement overhead gave her an out from any further lecture. “Mother, they’re boarding now,” Payton interrupted with a sense of relief. “My flight lands in Puerto Vallarta at six tonight. I’ll call you when I arrive.”
She felt a twinge of guilt as she disconnected and stared down at her phone. Brad had been working extra hard these past few months, true, but it was because he wanted to give her everything. How could she begrudge him that?
She thought of how angry and short she’d been with him when he called her last night from New York, telling her that he wouldn’t make it this weekend after all. The arrival of two dozen roses hadn’t softened her feelings, and she’d dumped them in the nearest garbage can as soon as they arrived.#p#分页标题#e#
Am I being unreasonable?
She’d heard about the dreaded Bridezillas who turn into egocentric tyrants and thought that everything revolved around them and their “big day.” She’d never considered herself one of them, almost as reluctant as Brad to participate in all the planning her mother started. But maybe she’d been unreasonable…
“We’ll now begin boarding all first class travelers to Puerto Vallarta.”
A glance over at Cruz showed him still furiously typing on his keyboard. Come on. No one typed that fast. He had to be showing off.
She only had a moment, so she’d have to be quick. Rising, she grabbed the handle of her carry-on, slung her purse over her wrist, and pushed her way against the crowd now heading toward the boarding gate—which left the space around the large pillar wide open. Perfect for some privacy.
She pressed the FaceTime button on her phone, wanting to see Brad and tell him she understood and was sorry.
It kept ringing. Three rings. Four.
She glanced at the time. It was four-forty Dallas time, putting New York at nearly six. He had to be finished with his meeting by now.
On the sixth ring, she was about to push cancel when the call was accepted.
It took her a moment to see what was on the screen in her hand. The picture was kind of dark and grainy, but the image of the long-haired brunette woman, lying back on a bed, naked—at least from the waist up—was hard to miss.
“Hello? Can I help you?” The woman asked in a sultry, albeit antagonistic tone.
“I’m—I’m—” Payton’s throat felt drier than the dry Texas air, and she couldn’t find words.
“Did I hear the phone?” It was a man’s voice, somewhere off screen.
Brad’s voice.
“I think someone’s trying to reach you?” The woman on the screen was saying and, as she sat up, it was hard to miss the massive breasts that spilled forward.