“They humiliated themselves, and now they’re trying to pass the buck onto you. That’s not your responsibility. Now,” he held out a hand. “Are you coming?”
Paula hesitated just for a moment. Then she slid her hand into his, feeling his warm fingers curl around hers.
Not for the first time, she wondered if she was in a very weird dream that was refusing to let her go.
* * *
Michael could see how scared Paula was. Confident as she was when she wanted to be, she was not a confrontational person. She really struggled to stand up for herself. Michael had encountered Marley before, and he had seen how overbearing she was. Paula couldn’t keep up with her, and Michael didn’t like how Marley treated her. How they were friends, he had no idea.
If they were true friends, they wouldn’t be doing something like this. Michael would have dropped anyone who tried it with him. Hopefully, Paula did the same.
Taking her hand, Michael led her down the stairs, pausing before he opened the door.
“You ready?”
“No.” Paula took a deep breath. “But let’s go. I want to get out of here.”
Michael couldn’t help but smile. She always said ‘no, but let’s go’ over everything. It was quite adorable.
Unlocking the door, Michael opened it to find Marley and a tall woman with long blonde hair on the doorstep. Marley had been about to pound her fist on the door again, but she lowered it as her mouth fell open. Behind her, Tilly looked equally bewildered. Michael looked from one woman to another.
“Ladies. I don’t think anyone’s expecting you.”
“Wh…what?” Marley spluttered. “Who the hell are you? Where’s Paula?”
“You know who I am, Marley. We’ve met before, but I think you were too busy being the centre of attention to really pay attention. And as for Paula, she’s not speaking to you.”
Tilly snorted.
“You think you can dictate that? She screwed up last night. The wedding was ruined because of her!”
Michael held up a hand.
“I think it was ruined when you and everyone else decided to set Paula up in a position where she couldn’t refuse the man who had been stalking her. What did you think would happen? One night of sex would make her change her mind?”
Marley put her hands on her hips.
“You seriously believe her? Sam never stalked her. Paula is just a picky bitch, and Sam really likes her. They’d make a cute couple.”
“What do you call turning up at her training sessions and watching her?”
“He said Paula invited him along. Whatever Paula saying, it’s a lie. She’s just being a pain and blowing things out of proportion.”
Michael could feel Paula stiffen behind him. He didn’t look back to see her expression; he could imagine that she was furious. He was angry hearing that.
“Paula said no. I thought you were her friends. Why would you ignore her?”
Tilly arched an eyebrow.
“You’re sounding invested in this. Who are you, anyway?”
“Paula’s my friend. Which is not what I can say about you two?” Michael folded his arms. “What part of this plan sounded like a good idea? Why would you even plan this ‘auction’ without telling Paula about it?”
“And have Paula refuse to do it or risk her not turning up? We had to do it as a surprise.”
“For what? So you can say you’re matchmakers and brought love to the wedding beyond your own?” Michael snorted. “Sam was stalking Paula, she said no, and that should have been the end of it. You don’t force something so stupid, and you certainly don’t put someone up for an auction without telling them.”
“She ruined my wedding by running off!” Marley whined. “And my husband won’t talk to me anymore. He’s refusing to be with someone he says doesn’t have any morals or common sense. I lost my husband and had my day ruined by that bitch!”