“Cammie! You made it!”
I looked up to see Brooklyn and Jason standing at the bottom of the escalator with open arms. One quick scan around them let me know that Grayson was nowhere to be found.
“What the hell is the point if it’s just you two and he’s not here and just—” I’d made it to the bottom of the escalator and all but tossed my luggage at Jason. “Just take that because it’s heavy and I bought way too many Parisian scarves. Who the hell wears that many scarves? And berets? No one wears them. If you wear one you look like a buffoon. Just an FYI.”
“Wow. Alright, looks like they served some drinks on the flight over,” Brooklyn said, exchanging a knowing glance with Jason.
“I see what you’re doing. Stop being telepathic with each other and just take me to the airport lounge so that I can wait for Grayson to pick me up.”
“Grayson?” Brooklyn asked, her bright blue eyes meeting mine. She looked so innocent and sweet with her golden blonde hair and designer clothing. I hated her for seeming confused about why I wanted Grayson to pick me up from the airport.
“Yes. Grayson. The person I’m in love with. He needs to pick me up from the airport.” I shook my head, annoyed that I had to catch her up to speed.
“Listen, why don’t we go home and we can finish setting up for the engagement party tomorrow. Maybe Grayson will come over after that?”
That sounded reasonable, so I let Jason and Brooklyn lead me out of the airport, a cloud of booze following my every step.
Chapter Thirty-Five
Grayson didn’t come over while we set up for the engagement party. He didn’t call or text me. He knew I was back in town: I’d overheard Brooklyn on the phone with him earlier that morning, confirming my arrival and my presence at the party. I guess we really weren’t on speaking terms or he would have at least called me himself.
I yanked a long-stem rose out of a bucket of water and started plucking off the leaves. The engagement party was due to start any minute and I still had a few last minute flower arrangements I needed to throw together.
Brooklyn had stressed the fact that she wanted the decorations to be tasteful, so I’d skipped balloons in favor of flowers and large framed photos of her and Jason placed around the room. We’d spent all day transforming Brooklyn’s condo for the party and it was finally coming together.
Three long tables were set up for dinner. A catering company was hard at work in the kitchen, whipping up hors d’oeuvres and a four-course meal for the small gathering.
I’d invited thirty guests. Everyone from Brooklyn’s publicists to Jason’s friends from Montana would be in attendance, and I couldn’t wait to deliver the speech I’d been working on for the last few days.
“Cammie! I can finish doing that, you go get dressed!” Summer, Brooklyn’s spunky assistant, demanded as she pulled the rose from my hand. I hadn’t seen her in a few months, but she looked as awesome as ever. Last time I’d seen her she’d dyed her hair purple ombre. Now it was a bright pink.
“I’m almost done!” I protested.
“Nope. Go. The guests are arriving in five minutes and you’re still wearing pajamas.”
I glanced down at the flannel pajamas I’d stolen from Brooklyn that morning. I hated to hand over the reins, but Summer had a point. I couldn’t greet the guests in plaid sleepwear.
“I’ve got this. I swear. Go get ready,” Summer insisted, slapping my butt and pushing me toward Brooklyn’s bedroom.
“Fine! But those flowers had better be perfect when I come back out,” I teased.
Summer flipped me her middle finger as I stepped past Brooklyn’s doorway. I was still laughing when I all but collided with Jason as he made his way out of the room.
“Whoa,” he said, reaching out to steady my shoulders so that I wouldn’t topple over.
He was already gussied up in a designer suit and I paused for a moment to admire him. Jason Monroe was more leather boots than shined shoes, but he pulled off a suit as well as Grayson.
In an instant I was flooded with emotions. This was my future brother-in-law, my sister’s fiancé, and he was one of the best men I’d ever known.
“I’m really happy my sister found someone like you,” I said, meeting his gaze and trying my hardest to keep any tears at bay.
“Aw, you’re gonna make me blush, Cammie,” he quipped.
“I’m serious! Brooklyn is the best person in the entire world. She’s seriously a baby angel and she deserves the world. Do you hear me, Monroe? I will take you down if you hurt my sister.”
Clearly, my emotions were starting to jump around. I’d never threatened someone so soon after complimenting them before.