The Dress Fitting He Promised I Would Not Attend Chapter 04

The Dress Fitting He Promised I Would Not Attend Chapter 04

“Why wouldn’t she hold back? She can’t stay on a pedestal forever. If she’s going to be my woman, she plays by my rules. She stays out of what doesn’t concern her.”

Lily’s voice came through, sugary sweet. “Mr. Whitmore, you should stop drinking. You’ve had too much.”

Mason Cole laughed. “Lily, why are you still calling him Mr. Whitmore? That’s so formal. Isn’t it more like Ethan?”

“Don’t say that, Mr. Cole. I wouldn’t dare overstep.”

“You wouldn’t? Then call me Mason instead. I don’t have a jealous fiancée.”

It sounded like Ethan kicked him. “You’re a player. You’ve slept with half of Fairhaven. And you’re hitting on my girl?”

That got a round of laughs.

“Okay, okay. Your girl. You’re so protective.”

“So last time in Silverport… did you guys actually…?”

Ethan cut him off cold. “Nothing happened. We’re completely innocent. Stop making crap up.”

Mason’s voice turned sly. “Really? Because Lily told me you only booked one room.”

The line went dead.

I could guess who ended the call.

But she didn’t need to bother.

I blocked his number, picked up my suitcase, and walked toward the gate.

When I landed, my parents were there to pick me up.

Someone else was with them.

“Little Claire. Long time no see.”

I blinked. It took me a second.

Then a very old memory surfaced.

“Daniel? Daniel Thorne?”

He gave me a warm smile. “Almost ten years. I’m impressed you remember.”

Daniel took my suitcase like it was the most natural thing in the world.

“Claire, you’ve lost so much weight. Come on. Mom’s going to fatten you up at home.”

I pulled her hand away from my cheek and swallowed the lump in my throat.

“I haven’t. You just haven’t seen me in a while.”

My dad spoke up. “Daniel is partnering with our company on a big project. You can’t slack off anymore, Claire. Get involved. Help your mother and me retire early.”

“Dad, I just got off the plane. At least let me breathe before you put me to work.”

“You and your big mouth.”

We walked toward the parking lot, laughing and talking.

On the drive back to the estate, I checked Lily’s feed.

[My boss got drunk. I took him home, but he won’t let me leave. What do I do?]

The photo showed Ethan lying in bed with his eyes closed, his face flushed.

The pinned comment said:

[He’s obviously sending a signal. He wants you to stay. Be brave, girl. Tonight’s the night you move up in the world.]

She replied:

[I don’t have any big ambitions like that. I really do have to stay and take care of him, though. I’ll probably have to wipe him down, too.]

More encouragement. More people waiting for an update.

I laughed without meaning to.

Daniel turned his head to look at me. The corner of his mouth lifted, but he didn’t say anything.

After I got over my jet lag, I was in the yard playing with the dog.

Daniel called out from the living room.

“Claire, your phone keeps buzzing. It’s a domestic call. No name saved.”

I was too busy chasing the dog to care.

“Daniel, can you get it for me?”

“Sure.”

He swiped the screen. His voice came out smooth and warm.

“Hello? Who’s calling?”