Avoiding Temptation (Avoiding #3)(61)

Lexi shook her head softly and then tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. As Chyna had said, none of that was her problem, and she really was trying to stay out of it. Ramsey had actually agreed not to invite Bekah to the party tonight, which meant it should be blissfully quiet.

A knock at the door jolted Lexi. She wasn’t expecting anyone. She strode forward just as Ramsey came barreling down the stairs.

“Door?” she asked as he rounded the corner.

“Yeah, I can get it.”

Lexi was already there, so she yanked open the door. Standing before her was an incredibly tall, buxom blonde with bright red lipstick and a tight black bodysuit.

“Lola!” Lexi said with a start. “I didn’t know we were expecting you.”

“Hello, darling. It’s so good to see you,” Lola said, bending forward and planting a red kiss on Lexi’s cheek.

“Lola, you’re early,” Ramsey said. He didn’t sound displeased.

“You forget how long setup takes, love. Two years out of the business, and already, you forget,” she said with a light reprimand. She walked over and squeezed Ramsey’s bicep. “Are you still working out? You look thin.”

“Two insults in one sentence, and I thought you might be different after two years of running the company alone.”

Lola waved her hand with her long red-lacquered nails in the air. “I’m a bitch. It comes with the territory.”

“Wait—setup?” Lexi asked, tilting her head. “I thought we were having the engagement party at a restaurant.”

Ramsey sheepishly looked at her. “Last-minute change. I was on the phone with Lola earlier, and she insisted it be at the club, but I knew you wouldn’t be into that. So, she wouldn’t take no for an answer, and we thought we would bring the party here. Keep it more low-key than typical parties, but bring it back. I mean, it was our first kiss.”

Lexi didn’t know what to say. On one hand, she didn’t mind him moving the location to their apartment, but she had been expecting to go out and have a good time. Fun would sure be had if they stayed here, but it was different.

“What about everyone else? The invitations already went out weeks ago,” she reminded him.

“I got it all taken care of.”

“Oh.”

“You’re not happy,” Ramsey said softly.

Lola sighed. “I will have people start bringing things in. If you choose to reschedule again, please let me know before we carry in the speakers. They’re heavy.”

She eyed Lexi dramatically before exiting.

“I just…I don’t mind that we’re having it here, but it’s this…” She sighed. How many times had they had this conversation? “When were you going to tell me?”

“I had planned on it before Lola got here. She was early,” he said, scratching the back of his head.

Lexi reminded herself that he was doing this for her, trying to make this the best it could be for her. She was not going to blow up at him. She was definitely not going to blow up at him. The last thing she wanted was an argument right before their engagement party.

“But…why didn’t you even ask me? It’s my engagement, too, you know?” she said, aiming for a level voice.

When Ramsey winced, she knew that she hadn’t achieved it.

“I know you hate surprises, so I was going to break it to you, but in a surprise kind of way…not by Lola showing up at our front step with massive speakers and too much lipstick,” he said.

“Okay.”

There wasn’t anything else to say. It was too late to change it back to the restaurant they had booked together weeks ago. And it wouldn’t do any good to be angry with Ramsey for trying once again to make her happy.

“Lexi…”

“I’m going to go get ready. Tell Lola to bring the speakers in,” she said, turning to walk up the stairs.

“Hey,” he said, catching her and drawing her into him. “I love you. I thought you would like this.”

Lexi smiled faintly. “I do like this. It’s thoughtful. It’ll be nice to have everyone at the house.”

“But you’re not happy.”

“I’m fine.”

“Fine means you’re pissed,” Ramsey observed.

“I’m…frustrated. It’s okay. It’ll pass. I should just go get ready,” she said.

Ramsey didn’t let go of her though. He pulled her tight to him and kissed her on the mouth softly. “I love you.”

“I love you, too,” she whispered against his lips.

“What are you wearing tonight?” he asked.

“It’s a surprise.” She gave him a devilish smirk before breaking out of his embrace and rushing up the stairs.

At least upstairs, away from his watchful eye, she could allow herself to be angry and frustrated, and she would be able to punch something. She didn’t think it was that hard to consult with her on things. Wasn’t the wedding supposed to be the girl’s thing? Not that she was a girlie-girl or anything. Not that she hadn’t freaked out at the meeting with the wedding planner. Not that Ramsey couldn’t see through her bravado from a mile off. Still, even if she wasn’t doing all the work or didn’t know what was needed to do all the work for the wedding, that didn’t mean she couldn’t be clued in.