Mid Life Love: At Last (Mid Life Love #2)(63)

He sighed and opened his mouth to speak, but I cut him off.

“How long were you going to let me stay at that hotel by myself? How long were you going to keep sending me note-less flowers and ignoring my f**king calls?”

“Claire...”

“You want to know why no one got their wedding invitations in the f**king mail?” I didn’t care that he was narrowing his eyes at me. “It’s because I didn’t like the goddamn paper invitations, Jonathan. They weren’t us, so I thought I would do something different. I called everyone we invited and told them the date and venue information. I said we weren’t sending out formal invitations, and that they would get something a few weeks before the wedding...I told them not to say anything to you about it because I wanted it to be a surprise...”

“I’m aware of that now, Claire. Just listen to me.”

“No...Do you know how much time it took for me to design five hundred sea hooks? Five hundred sea hooks that’ll form together as one huge sea hook with our initials across the front? Do you know? Do you?”

He sighed.

“As far as our cake goes...” I wasn’t backing down. “I don’t know what the hell happened with that, because I only meant to cancel one of them...And do you honestly think I would wait until the last minute to design your wedding band? Really? I didn’t want to use Valenti’s—I wanted to find a place on my own. But you—you wouldn’t even listen to me. You didn’t even give me a chance...” My voice cracked. “I can’t believe that you’re so selfish...As a matter of fact, I don’t want you here right now. Get out...Tell Greg to come in so I can thank him for being here for me. He’s been in the waiting room since I got here, where you should’ve been.”

There was hurt in his eyes as he tucked me underneath the covers.

“Get out, Jonathan. I only want to be around people that care right now...”

“I made it to the hospital before you did, Claire. “ His voice was low. “I was waiting on you to get here...”

What? I tried not to look shocked, but I could tell he’d read my mind.

“I was on my way to the Fairmont to talk to you so we could make-up because being without you—whether I’m mad at you or not, is still unbearable...I was twenty minutes away when I got a call from my security team telling me that you’d been pushed down the steps.”

“I don’t have any missed calls from you.” I said flatly.

“I was using Greg’s phone. He smashed mine.”

“By accident?”

“Greg never does anything by accident.” He rolled his eyes. “I was trying to call a few special people that would beat the shit out of Ryan and dump his body in the sea. He ran off once the medics came, after he told them that he didn’t mean to do it—that it was an accident...”

“I slapped him...I shouldn’t have done that.”

He pressed his fingers against my lips. “I’ve been sitting right over there since you’ve been in this room.” He pointed to the corner, but I still couldn’t move my neck. “I told them I wasn’t leaving unless you were coming with me.”

“You saw me tell the nurse not to call you?”

He nodded and narrowed his eyes at me.

“Why didn’t you say something?”

“I was in shock.” He looked hurt. “I couldn’t believe you’d said that—that you didn’t want to call me first.”

“I’m sorry.”

“You shouldn’t be...” He brushed his thumb against my cheek, whispering, “I deserved it...I’m so sorry, Claire. This should’ve never happened...”

We stared into each other’s eyes, not saying anything further. Then I remembered something he’d said earlier.

“How did your security team know that I’d fallen down the steps that soon?” I asked. “You had them watching me?”

“Not watching you. Protecting you.” He held my hand. “Apparently they were on a coffee break when Ryan came to see you...”

“Are they always watching me?”

He didn’t answer. He simply ran his fingers against the sling on my left arm and shook his head. “I’m sorry they weren’t able to prevent this...They should’ve never let Ryan get that close to you...”

“You fired them?”

“On the spot.” He kissed my forehead. “We’ll talk about everything later. Just rest.”

“Could you ask the doctors how much longer I’m going to be here? The numbness is starting to wear off. ”

“A few more days.” He looked saddened. “But let’s not focus on that. I’d rather know why you didn’t show up for our meeting with the wedding planner on Wednesday.”

“I thought the wedding was off.”

“Why would you think that?”

“I got a call about you canceling our meeting with the marital attorney, and since you didn’t show up for the final tour of the venue the other day...”

“I canceled the marital attorney appointment because he wanted me to sign a pre-nup, not because I don’t want to marry you.” He shook his head. “And I did show up to the venue—on time. You must have been late because I waited for you for over an hour...” He smiled. “I made a promise to you, and whether I’m upset with you or not, you’re still the stubborn love of my life... Do you still want to marry me, Claire?”