Chapter Thirteen
Saylor
My “goodnight” text to Hunter went unacknowledged. After the way he stopped me from kissing him in the car, I couldn’t help but think he’d had a sudden attack of cold feet. Either that or he’d mentioned our not-fling to Matt and had been warned to stay away from me.
My heart hurt. I wanted to hear his voice, but if he wasn’t responding to my text messages, I doubt he’d answer if I called.
The following morning we had a long and leisurely breakfast. Sally met us once we’d finished and took us through a rehearsal for my little ceremony which was now only a day away. The woman was the consummate professional, handling it all as though the occasion was still the over-the-top marriage that would see me become Mrs. Rex Brentwood Wilmington III.
The hotel had organized a snowmobile tour complete with a picture-perfect guide, Jake, who charmed us all. We toured the historic mining ghost town of Independence, and Dani declared she’d like to haunt Jake for the rest of his life. By the time we’d spent half the day in Colorado’s majestic high country, Dani was ready to throw in her job and move permanently to the mountains.
Around every corner on the trails was a new photo opportunity. We stopped and took photographs of me alone in front of crystal-blue waterfalls, where Casey declared I appeared to be standing before a frozen bridal veil. Her description seemed somewhat fitting. My heart seemed right in tune with a backdrop of snowy vistas.
“I could be Jake’s bed warmer,” Dani mused, loud enough for Jake to hear. He responded with a broad, sexy grin that suggested he was right on board with that idea.
We finished up at a rustic cabin for a late lunch. The day would have been beyond perfect if I hadn’t been troubled by the lack of contact from Hunter. I finally received a text from him just as we arrived back at the hotel.
— Still sorting a work crisis. Arranged for your luggage to be delivered to the hotel in case I don’t make it back for your ceremony. Will call when I can talk. —
I jammed my cell back into my bag. “Girls, bar, ten minutes.”
“What’s up?” Casey asked.
“I’m having second thoughts. You’re my bridesmaids. I need you to talk me through this. I’m just going to my room to change. Whoever’s first to the bar, grab that table by the fire.”
I dashed up the broad staircase to my room. Sure enough, my luggage was there, complete with my wedding dress which mocked me and, thankfully, my laptop so I could at least get some work done. I changed into clothes more suitable for the hotel bar, reapplied lipstick and returned downstairs. The bar had very few patrons at this time of the day. Most, I expect, had already gone through to the restaurant for dinner. I claimed the table by the open fire just as Casey and Dani walked in.
Dani insisted we all have mulled wine, seeing as it was snowing, and winter, and Christmas Eve.
The moment the waitress moved away Casey fixed me with her chief bridesmaid stare. “Tell us about these thoughts that are troubling you.”
Dani snorted. “You sound like a therapist.”
“Maid of honor, therapist, hair stylist, makeup artist, shoeshine. All part of the job. Come on, Saylor, spit it out.”
I was about to start when the waitress returned with our drinks.
“Can you put those on my room tab?” I asked.
“You’re all good. The gentleman at the bar paid for this round. He said to tell you the drinks are on Rex tonight.”
The three of us swiveled towards the bar but there was nobody there, although I did recall a suited middle-aged guy when I first entered.
“Who was he? A guest?”
The waitress shrugged. “Can’t help you there. He paid cash. Anything else I can get you?”
Dani stepped in when I didn’t answer, thanking the waitress and sending her away.
I stared at my warmed, spicy wine. “What the hell…”
“I think you mean ‘what the ever-loving fuck’.”
“Thanks, Dani. You’re probably right. If Rex has been on my Instagram I guess he knows about the self-marry thing. He’s probably just sent someone along to make sure the hotel is aware he’s not paying the bill for my ceremony.”
“Except, that guy just bought us drinks.”
I sighed. “Yeah, well, that’s Rex being controlling. By paying for drinks he’s managed to insinuate himself into this situation. Even though he’s not here, he knows he’ll now be the topic of conversation.” I pushed my drink away. “Sorry, I can’t drink that.”