Oh.
My.
God.
I glance down at my finger and immediately feel faint as I see blood pooling.
“Dear God, I’ve done it now,” I say as I sway, holding my finger up.
“What the hell?” Breaker yells as The Beave just sits there in a shocked, catatonic state. “Jesus, Lia. Can we get some tissues?” He holds my finger up and then wraps his arm around my shoulder to keep me from falling. “What happened?” he asks.
I glance up at him and whisper, “I buckled.”
“How are you feeling?” Breaker asks as he sits across from me in his car.
“How do you think I’m feeling?” I ask as I set down my yogurt drink.
“Besides embarrassed, humiliated, and regretful, I want to know how you’re doing physically.”
“Fine.” I stare up at Brian’s office building. “Do you think she already called him and told him?”
“Can’t be sure,” Breaker says. “But from the way she wiped your blood off her face with vehement swipes, I’m going to say yes.”
“Then it’s official. I can’t show my face near her ever again.”
“You’re going to have to, and don’t worry, I will be there with you.”
I shake my head. “I should just go back to my apartment, drown in my sorrows.”
“Is that what you want to do?” Breaker asks.
I press my lips together and stare down at my linked hands. “No. I want to talk to Brian.”
“Then I think you need to go talk to him.” Breaker takes my hand in his. “I can go up there with you.”
“No, that would be a bad idea.” I undo my seat belt and open the door. “I can and should do this on my own.” I glance up at Breaker. “Thank you for everything today, despite you leaving to pee at the worst time ever.”
“I’ve already noted that I’m to pee before I ever leave you alone with The Beave again.”
“Good.” I hop out of his car and say, “I’ll see you later.”
“Good luck.”
I wave goodbye and head into Brian’s office building. After the blood was cleaned and Breaker offered to pay for all damages to the bloodied paper, The Beave roughly showed me her three choices, and instead of putting up a fight, I went with her favorite. It’s an invitation anyway, not like my actual wedding dress. She offered me a curt goodbye and took off.
Breaker took me to grab something to eat to help with my anemia, then I asked him to drive me here because not only do I want to clear the air about what happened at the church . . . and the paper shop, but I also need to talk to him about how he spoke so negatively about my glasses. Because despite the distractions from the day, that has stuck in my mind.
“Hello, Miss Fairweather-Fern, how are you?” Brian’s assistant, Beverly, says as I approach.
“I’m good, how are you, Beverly?”
“Just lovely. Congratulations on the engagement. Brian has been talking nonstop about it.”
I smile kindly. “Thank you. We’re very excited.” The lie slips off my tongue with ease. Not so much excited as I’m nervous. Hopefully, excitement comes soon. “Uh, is Brian available? I know I came unannounced, but I hoped I could talk for a moment.”
“He always wants to see you,” Beverly says. “I believe he’s just working right now, not on the phone.”
“Okay, thank you.”
I wave to Beverly and make my way toward his office. She’s always been so kind to me. In her fifties, she is as efficient as they come, detailed, and never lets anything slip, ever. I remember when Brian first hired her, his mother was furious. Said he needed someone younger, not that she should have a say in it. Still, Brian’s intuition has paid off because Beverly has been such a tremendous help to him in getting all his work done throughout the day.
Plus, she’s nice to me, so bonus.
I knock on his door, then push open the frosty glass, poking my head in.
He looks up from his desk, and when he spots me, his face completely lights up with a smile.
“Lia,” he says as he stands. “What a great surprise.” He walks over to me, takes my hand, and pulls me into his office while shutting the door behind me. Before I know what’s happening, he has his hands on my cheeks and tilts my head as his lips land on mine. I place my hands on his chest for balance while he kisses me deeply like we haven’t seen each other in days. Not sure if his mother has talked to him yet. Not sure I would receive the same welcome. “I’m so glad you’re here,” he says between kisses.