Before His Wedding, the Good Girl He Used Quietly Vanished Chapter 07

Before His Wedding, the Good Girl He Used Quietly Vanished Chapter 07

Everett scooped up his car keys, turning them over in his palm.

“I know how to handle it.” He didn’t raise his voice. “The Holloways want the deal, not me specifically. They can have the project and find another puppet to marry. I’m done dragging my feet.”

“What about your dad…”

“I know my father better than you do. He’ll blow a gasket for a while, and then he’ll get over it.”

He headed for the door. Hand on the doorknob, he looked back.

“I’m going ahead. The rest of you, tonight.”

Nolan shot off the couch.

“What time? Where?”

“Seven.” Everett pulled the door open. “The Bellamy. I booked the upstairs room.”

“The Bellamy?!” Graham’s voice cracked up an octave. “Everett, how much are you dropping tonight…”

Nolan whistled.

“I’m going home to dig out my best suit. If you choke during the proposal, I’ll jump in.”

“Just keep your mouth shut.” The ghost of a smirk crossed Everett’s face as he pushed through the

door.

Behind him, the guys were still going.

His footsteps faded down the hall.

The elevator chimed.

Inside the elevator, Everett glanced down at his phone.

His good girl hadn’t reached out.

He’d gotten her to do better than this.

One night last month, he’d been propped against the headboard going through paperwork. She was curled up at the foot of the bed, scrolling through her phone.

So quiet he almost forgot she was there.

He’d spoken without looking up.

“You know you don’t have to be this quiet, right? You’re allowed to ask where I am. Keep tabs on me once in a while.”

She’d lowered her phone just enough to look at him, blinking.

“Keep tabs on you?”

“Ask where I am, who I’m with, when I’m coming home.” He’d flipped a page. “That’s what normal girlfriends do. You’re so low-maintenance it’s almost weird.”

She’d gone quiet for a while. Then, “Oh.”

“So… I should text you during class? Ask what you’re up to?”

He’d laughed. Told her yes.

And she actually did it.

[Did you eat this morning?]

[The cafeteria ribs were way too salty today.]

[Doesn’t this cloud look like that smoke ring you blew the other night?]

He’d been in a meeting. His phone buzzed three times.

He’d glanced at the screen, smiled without meaning to, and replied to every one.

Short replies. But he’d sent them.

And from that day on, she’d kept texting him. Every day.

Today, nothing.

She’d gone silent again. No questions. No check-ins.

Back to being perfectly obedient.

The elevator doors opened.

He moved fast.

The Bellamy was booked. Dinner, drinks, everything was set.

However much those idiots acted up tonight, he could deal with it.

He just needed her there.

His phone buzzed the second he got in the car.

The screen lit up. Conrad Holloway, Blair’s father.

The Holloway patriarch-the one pushing the arranged marriage.

Everett let it ring.

The call died. His phone rang again almost immediately.

His father.

He clenched his jaw and picked up.

“Why didn’t you pick up when Mr. Holloway called?” His father didn’t bother with a greeting. “He’s been waiting half an hour. Get over here. Now.”

“I’m busy right now…”

“Holloway brought the project proposal. Show your face at the meeting, then you can go. matters.”

His father’s voice dropped. “Blair is taken with you. Don’t make this difficult.”

Everett’s hands tightened on the wheel until his knuckles went white.

He glanced at the dark phone on the passenger seat.

Four fifty.

If he showed his face at Holloway Group, he could be out in an hour if things moved fast.

Otherwise, they’d blow up his phone all night. That would be worse.

“Fine,” he said. “I’m on my way.”