"Macy?"
I looked up, yawning as Alissa rest her hands on her hips, frowning down at me. I'd slunk away in the middle of the hors d’oeuvres discussion, hiding in another room for a cat nap.
"Yes?" I replied, offering a hesitant, innocent smile.
"We're finished here, not that you were of any help to me." The redhead snapped, slipping her purse over her shoulder, "Now I’m late for an engagement."
"Where are you going?" I asked inquisitively, ever nosy, following her back towards her car.
Her red Porsche, a gift from her married lover, waited patiently.
"Dinner." She replied, refusing to give any details other than that. This time I opted not to press her, "I’ll drop you off at home." She continued.
A smirk twitched on her red lips as she inspected herself carefully in her driver’s seat mirror, applying another layer of gloss and smacking her lips. She was probably headed to dinner and dessert with George Davis.
"I wonder if I Sebastian will want to get dinner." I hummed, tapping my chin. I was starving, and it would be good for us to discuss some of the finer points of our impending nuptials.
"He will not." Alissa replied simply, shrugging, "He and I are going to La Grange tonight." She paused, glancing towards me, and for a moment I thought she would extend an invitation for me to tag along, a third wheel in my own marriage."
"Alone." She said instead, turning narrowed eyes back to the road as her engine roared to life.
Chapter Nine
True to the redhead’s word, the manor appeared empty when I returned. Perhaps Sebastian was going straight from work to his cute little dinner date with Alissa Grant.
The thought of them alone together left me fuming, though I couldn't seem to justify it.
Sure, Sebastian and I were getting married, but did that mean that were going to be faithful to one another? Why had I just assumed that was the reality of our situation?
I wanted to kick myself for not discussing the schematics of our complicated relationship. We'd only known each other for days now, even if it felt like an eternity. There was so much to talk about and absolutely zero time to do it. I was sure it would all be covered in the mounds of legal papers they wanted me to sign.
My entire world had been flipped upside down the moment Sebastian walked through my bakery doors that afternoon.
Would I have changed anything, if I could? Would I have kicked his sexy ass right out my door knowing what I know now?
The answer was clear. Of course I wouldn’t change anything.
I had a duty to my parents to see their dream flourished. I wouldn't give up that chance for anything.
"Oh, hello, Miss Macy." A man's voice spoke calmly from behind me, I whipped around, startled by the sudden interruption.
It was embarrassing enough to have been seen angrily pacing about in the foyer.
"I'm sorry?" I began, taking an apprehensive step towards the gentleman.
I didn't recognize his stormy eyes or fair skin. An older man, dressed in a simple blue button up and khakis, he gestured towards the dining room.
"Sebastian called and asked me to prepare dinner for you, ma'am." He said politely, "I'd be happy to bring it up to your room for you if you'd rather..."
"No, that's fine. Don't trouble yourself." I replied hurriedly, shaking my head as I walked past him uncomfortably.
He’d already made me something to eat, I didn’t want him to have to do anything further. I wasn't used to people doing things for me, I'd probably never get accustomed to it either.
The scent of freshly cooked turkey and vegetables practically made me dive onto the table as I approached it.
Gleefully, I sank down into a chair, eyes greedily scouring the plate ladled with potatoes, gravy and carrots. It was like Thanksgiving or something equally delicious. Was this how the Davis’s always ate?
"Oh god." I groaned, suddenly remembering how starved I felt. I hadn't really been able to eat much, not with the nerves twisting around in my stomach so sharply. This, however, was too good to pass up.
"Is it to your satisfaction?" The man asked, pouring a glass of wine for me.
I'd never been so grateful for the sweet red liquid. I needed a drink like crazy.
"It's the most beautiful thing I've seen all week." I hummed, practically brought to tears by the way the poultry melted in my mouth.
The man smiled happily, as unused to praise as I was unused to being served.
"Do you want some?" I asked as I pointed towards the decadent meal way too big for myself, uncomfortable with being watched.
For a moment, he stared at me, as though he were trying to read my intentions. Then, he simply shrugged, grabbed a plate for himself and settled in beside me. Together we sat at the huge table, a tranquil pleasantness resting between us. For the first time, I actually began to relax.