Chapter 3
Has my number been leaked?%
Before I could figure it out, my phone buzzed again. Michael’s name flashed on the screen.-
I sighed and picked up. “Hello?”
He didn’t even say hi, just dove straight in, his voice sharp and impatient. “Where did you go? I’ve called you dozens of times and you never pick up. HR says you’ve taken a month off work.”
“Where I go is none of your business, Michael. Don’t forget–we broke up.”
He just laughed, like I was being ridiculous. “You’re still mad about the wedding I threw for Madison, aren’t you? Fine, I’ll throw one for you too. You should’ve gotten the messages and calls already–just tell the planner what kind of dress you want, what kind of setup, whatever. They’ll handle it.”
I was honestly stunned. “Are you out of your mind?”
I couldn’t see his face, but I could picture his arrogant little smirk.
“June! You got all worked up over the wedding, and now I’m making it up to you. What else do you want? I’m telling you, this is your only chance. If you don’t want to get married, then just stay single for the rest of your life.”
Typical Michael. In his world, as long as he offers you an ‘out, if you don’t take it, it’s your fault.
“You’re unbelievable. We’re over, Michael. Stop calling me. Go marry whoever you want.”
He just kept repeating, “Fine. Fine. Fine. June, I gave you a chance. You’re the one who turned it down. Don’t regret it later.”
What a psycho.
Damon walked in, tucking his shirt into his pants. “Michael again?”
I took a deep breath. “Yeah. He thinks I’m mad about missing some fairytale wedding, so now he wants to throw one for me. I must have been totally blind to ever fall for that guy.”
Damon just smiled, not saying a word.
The next month went by in a blur.
We explored the magical blue ice caves in Iceland, and floated over Cappadocia in a hot air balloon.
06
The day I flew home, Sandy asked me out for drinks.
No matter how much concealer I used, I couldn’t cover the marks on my collarbone. I finally just grabbed a silk scarf from my closet and tied it loosely around my neck.
She barely sat down before slamming back two shots in a row.
“I am so pissed! Michael has completely lost it–he rented out every digital billboard downtown, got a bunch of A–list celebs to record birthday wishes for Madison, and they’re just going to keep playing on loop for a month. Does he even care about how you feel?“>
I just sipped my drink, calm. “I’m married.”
Sandy stared at me, not believing it–until I showed her the marriage certificate.
“To Damon?!”
“Yup.“2
“Wait, Damon, as in the Damon who supposedly never even looks at women? How did you pull that off?”
“That part doesn’t matter. What matters is, Michael doesn’t even come close. Honestly, I’d pay to see his face when he finds out I married Damon.”
Sandy’s anger vanished instantly. “We have to celebrate this. Tonight, drinks are on me!”
Of course, Sandy can’t hold her liquor. After a few bottles, she was already pretty out of it.
I set my glass down. “Stay right here–I’ll go order you some coffee.”
On my way to the bar, I ran into Blake.
He grinned at me, way too eager. “Hey, June! Michael and the guys are in private room six.“N
“I’m not with Michael anymore. You all have fun.”
Blake just laughed like he didn’t believe me. “Yeah, yeah, but Michael really did mess up. At least give him a chance to apologize, will you? We’re in room six–swing by if you want.”
To get back to our room, I had to pass by theirs.
I heard their voices before I even reached the door.
Stopping by the doorway, I pecked through the crack
Michael was sprawled across the sofa, shirt unbuttoned, looking as smug as ever Madison was perched next to him, lips swollen and red–anyone could guess what they’d been up to.
“Michael, I just saw June in the hallway. Told you–she still can’t let you go.“N
“Didn’t think she could hold out this long without calling.” someone else said I
“It’s only been a month. She heard Michael was throwing a birthday party for another woman and just couldn’t stay away, “a
Michael’s voice was icy “Who invited her? We’re over”
“Come on, Michael, this is the longest June has ever gone without calling you. Careful, or this could get messy”
07:31.
“Yeah, Michael, maybe you should get Madison out of here before your ex gets pissed again.”
Michael glanced at Madison, who sat quietly, playing the perfect good girl.
Chapter 4
