Hitched (Hitched #1)(51)

She smiles kindly. "I know you got married in Las Vegas the night you met."

Well, this will go easier then. "Yeah. I couldn't remember all of that night for a long time. You must think I'm awful."

"Not at all. I think you two are young, and it was impulsive, but hardly the worst thing in the world."

"And we agreed to date over the summer, while our annulment went through. But the day I got the papers and went to show him, he was with his ex."

She nods but doesn't say anything.

"I know I overreacted. I didn't actually see them doing anything. I don't think he cheated on me—though I haven't actually asked him, but seeing them together made me question everything about our relationship. Whether we were really meant to be together. Whether Celene was a better fit for him, because of their careers and lifestyles. And I got scared. Really scared."

I take a sip of the orange juice before continuing. "I broke his heart. I know I did. And I broke mine too."

"And now?" she asks.

"Now, I don't know. I'm still scared. I'm still not sure. How do you know when you've met the right person? How do you know it will work out forever?"

"You never really know it will work out. That's a choice you both have to make each day. As to how you know if you've met the right person, I think that's something for which you have to look inward for an answer. But I don't think you'd be here now if you didn't already know the answer."

I take out the envelope of pictures in my purse and hand them to her. "I got these recently, from the night of our shotgun wedding. When I saw them, I remembered everything."

She flips through the photos, her face unreadable. When she finishes, she hands them back to me. "You two look very happy. A bit drunk, but very happy. I've never seen my son like that, but I'd like to."

"Part of me knows I made a huge mistake breaking up with Sebastian, but the other part of me is still scared I'll lose myself in him. Lose my career, lose everything I’ve worked so hard for. I'm not like the people from his work, the other doctors. I’m sure they look down on my business and what I do for a living. But it matters to me."

"Does Sebastian look down on it?" she asks.

"No."

"Has he said he'd want you to quit if you stayed with him?"

"No."

"Then what does it matter what anyone else says? The most important thing in any marriage is that you both decide together what kind of life you want, and then you work hard to make that happen no matter what the outside world thinks about your arrangement. I know there are people my husband works with who think he's less of a man because his wife makes more money. And people I've worked with in the past who think I'm a ball-busting bitch because of my success or business acumen. We discussed these things early on and agreed it didn't matter. We'd never let it bother us or come between us. And we certainly wouldn't let it interfere with our happiness."

"And that worked?" I ask. "It really never bothered either of you?"

She shrugs her shoulders. "We had our days. But generally, no, it never did bother us. Because we chose each other and our life over the thoughts of others. I have always been of the philosophy that what other people think of you isn't your business. It's theirs. So the question you need to ask yourself is, does being with Sebastian make you happier than being without him? And has he ever actually gotten in the way of your career?"

I know the answers to both of those questions. Which leaves me left with one question of my own. "How do I get him back?"





Chapter 35


Racing with the Stars


After talking with Sylvia and looking at our pictures so many times I have them all burned into the backs of my eyelids, I want nothing more than to show up at Sebastian's door and beg forgiveness for breaking up with him in the way I did. But I still can't decide the best way to win him back. I need something big. Magical. Unforgettable.

It's in the middle of all this teenage-like angst that I get the call.

"Hello?"

"Ms. Michaels?" The voice is male. Deep. Vaguely familiar though I can't place it. "This is David Melton. You had contacted me about my bachelor party?"

O.M.G. I can't breathe. I try to breathe. I need to talk. To say something. Anything. "Yes?"

"I want to apologize. My assistant chose a different company and called you to let you know, but we have a problem. The company he chose has botched things up. I was impressed with you when we met briefly the other day. So my question is, can you take over at the last minute and make some magic? Are you still up for the challenge?"

I look at my calendar. His bachelor party is supposed to be tomorrow night. I'm screaming in my head, but I remain outwardly calm. "Are you asking me to plan your party by tomorrow night?"

He clears his throat. "Yes, that's exactly what I'm asking. There will be a generous bonus in it for you if you can make it happen. Your ideas were excellent. I would consider this a personal favor if you could make something epic happen."

"I can't promise it will have all of the elements I originally promised, but yes, I can give you a night you won't forget."

"Excellent. My assistant will be in touch and can get you any other details you need. I look forward to seeing you again tomorrow night. Thank you."