The Wedding Pact Box Set - Denise Grover Swank Page 0,233

privacy, but come join me in the shower when you’re done.”

“Okay.”

She watched him walk into the bathroom and shut the door. When she heard the water come on, she took a deep breath to steady her nerves as she placed the call.

“Where is she, Garrett?” Neil answered. The obvious hate in his voice caught Blair off guard.

“It’s not Garrett,” she said. “And I’m right here.”

“Blair.” His tone softened. “God, I’ve been so worried about you.”

“I’m fine.”

He paused, and his voice was cold when he spoke again. “I’m sure you are, since you’re calling me at nine in the morning on our wedding day from your ex-boyfriend’s phone.”

She cringed but didn’t respond. It was deserved. “I need to see you, Neil.”

“It’s bad luck to see your groom on your wedding day.”

She rested her elbow on her knee and pressed her hand against her forehead. “Neil.”

“Okay. I’ll meet you.”

“Thank you.”

“You know I love you, Blair. If you need reassurance, and I’m sure you do after your . . . night—I’ll be more than happy to give it to you. Do you want me to come to the condo?”

“I’m not there.”

“I see.” He paused. “Can you come to my loft?”

Something in his voice sounded off, not that she blamed him. He was handling it better than she would have if their situations had been reversed. “I’d rather meet somewhere neutral.”

He was silent for several seconds. “Garrett’s staying at the Omni, and I know for a fact your car is still at the church. There’s a bakery a block away from the hotel, close enough for you to walk there. Can you be decent in a half hour?”

She cringed again, but she deserved that too. “Yes. I’ll meet you then.”

“I know you’re worried about sparing my feelings, but I fully expect you to show up in the dress you wore last night.” His voice broke. “So don’t worry about changing. I just want to see you. I can overlook what you’re wearing.”

“Neil,” she forced past the lump in her throat. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s going to be fine, Blair. Just come see me.”

She hung up and set the phone on nightstand. It dinged, so she picked it back up.

There was a text on the screen from BD: The contract still needs some work. We’ll try to have it done in time.

She cringed when she realized she’d read a professional text. Then it dinged again, and a new one popped up.

That’s a lot of money to give up for a woman. I hope she’s worth it.

Was that text about her? What money was he giving up?

Garrett found her sitting on the bed when he got out of the shower. He pulled her up and into his arms, his body still damp.

“Blair? Are you okay? Did he—”

Her mouth twisted to the side. “He was more understanding than I would have been.” She paused, then looked into his eyes. “Why did you go to see Neil at his office?”

He swallowed. “I’m not sure what bullshit he told you, but from your reaction when I confirmed going there, it couldn’t have been good. But I promise you, I only went to find out if he really loved you.”

“And?”

His jaw tightened. “I was unsatisfied with his answers. Do you believe me?”

She wanted to ask about the texts too, but she worried she’d come across as defensive or snooping. Bottom line, she trusted him or she didn’t, and she wholeheartedly did. “Yes.”

He cradled her head to his chest. “So you and Neil are done?”

She pulled away to look at the clock on the nightstand. “No. I have to meet him in twenty minutes, and I still need a shower. I can’t meet him smelling like you.”

“If he knows, then you don’t need to see him.”

She slid off the bed. “I do. It’s the right thing to do.”

He stood up and stared into her eyes. “I love you, Blair. I’ll do anything I can to help you. Just tell me what you need.”

She shook her head. “This part I have to do alone. Then when I’m done, we’ll figure out the rest together.”

“You might not have to do it at all.”

Blair groaned. “I just told you that I did.”

“No. He might end it without you going.”

She narrowed her eyes. “I just talked to him on the phone, Garrett. He knows I called from your phone, and he very much still wants to get married.”

His face contorted with anger. “He’s up to something. Let me go with you.”

“I’m a big girl. I can handle