Two Bar Mitzvahs (No Weddings #3)(30)

I suspected this stupid setup was all an elaborate test to see how far she could push us.

The answer? Not at all.

I followed Suzanne out of the ballroom, down hall, and around the corner to her office, the first door on the left. Normally efficient, Suzanne suddenly appeared to be disorganized as she rifled through one file after another on her desk. She frowned, then moved over to a file cabinet and opened the top drawer. “Sorry. I thought I left the file in the center of my desk.”

“Is it something you can email? Can it be digitally signed?”

She shook her head. “Give me just a minute. It has to be here somewhere.”

I remained in the doorway while she searched.

“Madison gave me a few new files this morning.” She moved back to her desk, then moved files one by one off a stack on the corner. “Here is yours.”

I stepped closer as she slid the bottom file out and opened it on her desk. From it, she grabbed two sets of standard agreements. After signing the obligatory liability releases, I handed her back the pen and one signed set. “Thanks for your help with the events. I’ll keep in touch through the week.”

Eager to return back to my sisters and Hannah, I left Suzanne’s office. Suddenly, I came to a jarring halt, nearly colliding with Madison, who stood right outside Suzanne’s office.

Fuck. The hairs on the back of my neck raised. The instant adrenaline spike forced me to take a deep breath. “What do you want, Madison?”

“Isn’t it obvious?”

I dropped her a deadpan look. “No. Enlighten me.”

She stepped closer. Too close.

I refused to back down from her and held my ground.

“I want you.” Her fingers touched my forearm, and it took every ounce of restraint I had not to flinch. Her head tilted. “I only didn’t want to get tied down before…”

Before f*cking your way through Europe?

She opened her mouth, but I spoke first. “Not gonna happen, Madison. Accept it. Then we can all get these events done with minimal stress.”

“Why? Because you’re with Hannah now? Don’t you remember how good it was?”

“Yes, I do.” I lowered my voice to a near growl. “Right up to the point you told me what a slut you were.”

“I explained why. I’m better now. I’m done with all that. But I’m not done with you.”

I gave her a tired sigh, shaking my head. “What’s it gonna take to convince you I am done?”

Her lips twisted into a smirk. “Let me give you a taste. You know I’ll be better than the flavor of the month you’re hanging with right now.” She licked her lips suggestively.

I almost puked in my mouth. Then I shook my head. “Take care, Madison.”

It was an unreal struggle to remain professional (yeah, I got the irony of that after what an * I was at that ridiculous tasting), but I didn’t want to get dragged down any further by her tactics. I sidestepped around her to continue toward the end of the hall.

When I rounded the corner, my sisters came out of the ballroom. Kiki was in the lead with her cheeks puffed full, a napkin on her hand holding a pyramid of pigs in a blanket.

I stared in amusement.

She shrugged, mumbling around her mouthful, “What? I’m not Jewish.”

“Where’s Hannah?”

“She just went into the ladies’ room. We told her we’d meet her in the lobby.”

“Why don’t you guys head out? I’ll take her home.” Hannah appeared by my side before I finished my sentence. I wrapped an arm around her and gave her a gentle squeeze. “I’ll email last-minute items later tonight for Loading Zone’s event.” Although everything was lined up for the anniversary, I needed to triple check to be able to sleep at night.

Kristen nodded. “We’re set. Fire away when ready.” She waved, then joined my other two sisters, who were already involved in an unrelated conversation and didn’t bother to look up.

Once we were alone, Hannah nudged her hip into me. “You were gone awhile. Everything okay?”

I glanced down at her and gave a short nod. “Yeah. Suzanne had a problem finding our file.”

“Madison left the ballroom about a minute after you and Suzanne did.” Her tone dropped, heavy.

“Really?” My mind raced, wondering what might’ve happened.

Hannah pulled away and stared at me.

I frowned. “Nothing happened in the ballroom after I left, did it?”

Her brows drew together for a beat. “No.”

“Were you okay in there with Madison today? Did you feel like knocking Selfish Bitch on her ass at any point?”

She sighed. “I feel like knocking her down now.”

“I feel the same. C’mon. Let’s go find a way to work through our frustration.” I tugged her hand and led her out the back patio doors.

The moment we stepped outside, she jolted to a stop, tugging her hand out from my grasp. “I overheard you and Madison talking in the hallway.”

“Which part?”

Her eyes narrowed. “Does it matter? Why didn’t you tell me?”

I had no easy answer. Instinct? Protecting her? Self-preservation? I hadn’t a clue. “Not sure. Everything she says keeps pushing me further away from believing her. It’s actually pissing me off. Didn’t seem worth mentioning to piss you off too.”