“Breaker is my best friend. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“Well, maybe we can consider—”
“It won’t be any other way,” Breaker says, cutting in, throwing down my authority.
The shitty thing about this situation is that even though this is my wedding, The Beave is not going to listen to anyone other than herself. The only person, and I mean ONLY person, who could overturn her decision is Breaker. Not me, not her son, no one else, only Breaker, and that’s because she values Breaker more than me and her son. The only reason is because of how thick Breaker’s wallet is.
“I see.” The Beave straightens up. “Well, then, I guess I will make a note of that.” She then looks him up and down and says, “You know, Breaker, I heard the news about your former employee.”
Classic.
God, she’s like clockwork. I saw her mentioning that from a mile away.
Breaker cuts her off at the knees, and now she’s trying to do the same, trying to even the playing field. Little does she know the reason the Cane brothers are so successful is because they see right through social climbers and don’t let them tear them down.
And from the confidence in Breaker’s expression, I know he sees right through The Beave.
“Tragic, isn’t it?” Breaker asks. “That a girl with so little self-worth spreads lies to grab attention. Our lawyers are handling it. There will be an apology once we present the required evidence of the former employee’s inappropriate behavior in the workplace. Then again, I shouldn’t be saying anything because of how confidential it is.”
“Ah, understandable.”
“But thank you for your concern. I’m doing quite fine.”
She offers an even smile and then gestures toward the church. “Now, I believe we have a church to view and a priest to meet.” She turns, and with her assistant, who appears at her side, she starts up the steep stone stairs that lead to the red door entrance.
Hanging back for a moment, I cling on to Breaker’s arm and say, “I’m so sorry she brought that up.”
“Don’t apologize for her. She’s disgustingly transparent. I knew she was going to bring up the lawsuit, and shutting her down was easy.”
“I know, but still, she shouldn’t have said anything.”
“Lia, I’m fine.”
“Okay.” I clutch him tighter. “I’m going to need your help making our way up these stairs. These shoes Brian bought me are a touch too big.”
Breaker glances down at my shoes, examining them. “I was wondering where the hell you got those.”
“You don’t like them?” I ask as I turn my feet to the side. This whole outfit screams Brian. A fluffy, red mini skirt with a black tank top and black four-inch heels that I would never, ever wear, I feel more like a newborn clown than the sophisticated lady about to marry the very sought-after Brian Beaver.
“They’re nice, just not you.”
“What makes you think that? The gold buckle on the toe or the fact that I look like I’m a newbie trying to walk on circus stilts?”
“Maybe a touch of both.” He chuckles.
“Well, at least The Beave didn’t say anything disapproving.”
We head up the stairs, Breaker helping me the whole time. “Way to find the positive. Now, let’s just focus on whether we like this church.”
“I’m going to say no.”
“Do you have a second venue where you want to get married? A counter offer?” Breaker asks as we make our way up the stairs.
“I do, actually, but I know The Beave is going to hate it.”
“Then that means it’s perfect,” Breaker says as we reach the door and step into the opulent church.
The entrance opens into a large cathedral space with natural wood beams crisscrossing against the vaulted ceiling. Rows and rows of pews face the altar while a red velvet carpet stretches along the candlelit aisle. The altar is intricately carved with the same natural wood as the beams while also draped in linens and an arrangement of flowers that seems rather extravagant for a mid-summer mass.
Leaning toward Breaker, I whisper, “I’m surprised the lit candles aren’t a fire hazard.”
“And those candleholders don’t look too sturdy.”
“Isn’t it just divine?” The Beave asks in awe. “We won’t be able to fit everyone into the pews, but we will live-stream the wedding to those waiting at the club for you to arrive.”