“Have I talked about him before?”
Charlie snorted.
“Of course you have. This is the guy you’ve got a thing for, isn’t it?”
“Charlie!”
“What? You didn’t need to tell me. I figured it out.”
Paula groaned. She hadn’t thought she was that obvious. If Charlie, who was mostly oblivious, could tell, then Michael had certainly figured it out.
“Well, I’m here, and he and his daughter say I can stay.”
“It’s probably for the best. I know I heard Marley say she was going to your place to demand an explanation.”
“I thought she and Jason were going off on their honeymoon today.”
“Well, I don’t know if that’s happening anymore,” Charlie grunted. “I was telling Jason about Sam, and how you were really uncomfortable about him. He was surprised that Sam had been stalking you, and concerned why you hadn’t said anything.”
“Because Sam is his friend, and I didn’t know what he had said. I thought he wouldn’t believe me.”
“Well, Marley had said to him that you fancied Sam but were too shy to say anything and you were very skittish about it. He thought it was strange, but he let it go. So as soon as I said that wasn’t the case, he agreed that you and I could leave.”
Paula’s throat was hurting more now. She needed a drink.
“Did he know about the auction?”
“No, that was something Marley did on her own. She thought it would be a surprise for Jason to get more money, and her single bridesmaids could have some fun of their own. To say he was upset with Marley when he found out she knew about Paula’s discomfort was an understatement.”
“I didn’t think he would be on my side. He and I didn’t hang out together much, but he always seemed nice.”
“Well, he’s got more decency than Marley. He left with me. We’re at my place right now.”
Paula sat up.
“He left Marley at their wedding?”
“Pretty much. Marley said a few things that left us both a little cold. Jason wanted some space.”
“What did Marley say?”
“I’ll tell you once I’ve processed it myself. But she’s furious that you ruined her plan. She had thought if you and Sam were put in the same room and actually let your feelings out, things would go well. She never believed you were telling the truth, and you were being difficult.”
Paula had a feeling that was the case, but it still hurt to hear. She felt nauseous knowing that her best friend was not her best friend.
“I was scared when I thought Jason might agree to this as well. He always followed what Marley did or said.”
“Like I said, this was meant to be a surprise. I knew when I saw it Jason wouldn’t be happy, but I never thought he would tear into Marley in front of everyone. It was very awkward watching it. Even the DJ shut off the music.”
“And Sam? What happened to him?”
“He tried to square up to me, but I told him if he went anywhere near you he would have to go searching in toilets for his scooped out head after I detach it from his shoulders.”
“Charlie!”
“A bit much, but I would go almost that far. Nobody messes around with my sister like this.”
Paula couldn’t help but smile at that.