Page 112 of The Unwilling Bride
"Yeah, her ride cancelled. She’s tipsy, I think." She looks at me, her gaze widening. "Oh, that’s a good idea." She disconnects.
"What?" I stagger to my feet, forgetting about my handbag. "What did he say?"
"He’ll be here in the next five minutes."
"How’s that possible?"
"Ooh, that’s sooo romantic," Zoey sings from her perch on the ground.
I scowl at her. Then look back at Phe. Some of my drunken stupor fades.
"Five minutes?" Grace looks skeptical.
"He was still at The Edge, which isn’t far away," Phe explains.
Zoey grabs my hand. I help her to her feet. "The knight in shining armor coming to rescue Harper." She looks at me with a loopy smile. "I’m so happy for your Harper. I think he really does love you."
I rub at my temple, attempting to ease the headache gathering behind it. I really shouldn’t have had so much to drink. And no way, is he coming. Why should he. I’m not his real wife-to-be; it’s all a pretense. I have enough presence of mind not to say it aloud. Nah, he must have told Phe that as part of the charade. Yeah, that’s all it is.
"He’s not gonna turn up." I look around for my bag.
"He’s here," Zoey gasps.
"What?" I jerk my head around to find a car pulling up in front of us. A familiar Jaguar. I gulp.
"Three minutes, fifty seconds." Grace sounds impressed. "That must be a record."
He slides out and walks around the car to me.
"Harper." He nods.
"James?" I blink.
"Thanks for calling me, Phe. I'll take it from here." He nods at her, then tips his chin at Grace and Zoey. "Can I offer any of you ladies a lift?"
"Connor's arranged cars." Phe pats his arm.
On cue, three pull up in succession.
Phe could have arranged one for me too. She chose to call James instead. When I look at her, the question must show on my face. She shrugs, a mischievous look on her face. No wonder she wasn't bothered finding us together in his office. She's chuffed about us.
Phe hugs Grace and Zoey, then me, then James. "Take care of my friend."
"Always." He tilts his head.
Grace fixes him with a look. "And if you make her unhappy, you'll have all of us to deal with."
"Exactly," Zoey says.
"You guys." I blow them a kiss and stumble slightly. James grips my arm.
"I'll never do anything to hurt her. Or knowingly cause her pain."
I glance sideways at him. His face is serious, spine straight, stance so purpose-filled he could be taking a military vow. My heart flutters. My stomach tightens. That unwavering intensity, especially when it's directed at me, is so hot.
I sense Grace’s demeanor soften.
"Bye, Harper." She kisses my cheek, drops her voice. "Maybe he's not so bad." Then backs away.
