Ignite (Speed Series Book 1)(42)

Sighing, I shook my head. I had a ton of things to do and this just threw a wrench into everything.

Me: Sure. I’ll just call Candace and Ashley and have them come over and start the food.

Robby: Cool. Thanks!

Hitting the home button on my phone a little too hard, I tried not to be angry. Damn Stephanie. Why in the hell did she ask Robby to get the cake? That was her job!

“Hey, sweetie!” Candace said in a chipper voice.

“Hey, Candace. Are you and Ashley busy?”

“No, why?”

I didn’t even care that I let out a frustrated moan. “Stephanie asked Robby to pick up the cake and he can’t bring it back here along with Emmit. I don’t want to call her, so I’m going to go get it. Is there anyway y’all could come over and start getting some of this finger food ready? The caterer will be here in forty minutes.”

“Of course, Adaline. Don’t even worry. You head on out, and Ashley and I will be right over.”

As I dashed back up the stairs, I let Lola out back to go pee. “Hurry up girl.” I called out as Lola did her thing and ran back in. Grabbing my purse and keys, I dashed out the door and headed to the shop.

Ten minutes later I pulled up and couldn’t help but notice Stephanie’s BMW. Narrowing my eyes at her car, I shook my head. “What in the hell? If she is here why couldn’t she get the damn cake?” I pushed open my door and quickly got out, slamming it behind me. The anger racing through my body was undeniable. I was going to give her a piece of my mind.

The door to the front office rang when I opened it. I could hear two voices talking as I made my way to the break room. I stopped in my tracks when I heard Emmit’s voice.

“What are you talking about? There is no way in hell I’m telling Addie. No, this has to be kept a secret.”

My heart sunk as I made my way closer to Emmit’s office. “Emmit, I think it’s for the best. She deserves to know the truth.”

“What do you mean, that makes no sense? Why are you even bringing this up, Steph?”

I slowly walked up closer and stopped. I could see through the reflection on the mirror in the hallway. I could have sworn Stephanie looked directly at me in the mirror. Looking away, she said, “I can’t hide it anymore, Emmit.”

“Stephanie, you’re so over reacting. Addie is not going to find out. She’s not very good when it comes to things like this.”

My heart was beating out of control. What in the hell were they talking about? I took another step closer and turned the corner just in time to see Stephanie throw herself into Emmit as their lips met.

My mouth dropped open as I stood there for a second or two and watched my fiancé kiss his assistant. Turning quickly, I rushed out the door as tears streamed down my face.

By the time I reached my car, I was sobbing uncontrollably. “How could he do this to me?” I screamed out as I hit the steering wheel.

Quickly turning the car on, I drove off as fast as I could. The further away I got, the better.

My mind kept replaying Stephanie’s lips on Emmit’s. Shaking my head, I tried to make sense out of what I saw.

How could he do this to me?

To us?





I GRABBED ONTO STEPHANIE’S ARMS and pushed her away as I glared at her. “What in the f*ck are you doing?”

Stephanie shook her head and took a step closer to me as I moved back. “Emmit, I can’t hide it anymore. I know there is a connection between us. You can’t deny it.”

I pushed my hand through my hair in frustration as I tried to figure out how we went from talking about a surprise birthday party for Adaline, to Stephanie leaping onto my body and kissing me.

“W-what are you talking about? There is no connection there, Steph, and there never has been. You’re married for Christ’s sake.”

Stephanie’s eyes dropped as she took in a shaky breath. “If Adaline was out of the picture, if she left you, would you want me then, Emmit?”

My eyes widened in horror. “What?”

“She’s going to hurt you eventually. One day she is going to get tired of this life and leave you. But I’ll always be here for you. Always.”

I squeezed my eyes shut as I tried to wipe away everything that just happened in the last two minutes.

As I turned away from Stephanie, I reached into my pocket and pulled my phone out. Hitting Adaline’s number, I dragged in a deep breath. I had to tell her what was happening.

Voicemail.

I tried three more times, and each time it went right to voicemail.

My heart dropped. Adaline never had her phone turned off. I pulled up my mother’s number and hit it.

Stephanie walked up to me and put her hand on my shoulder as I took a step away from her.

“Emmit! How are you sweetheart?”

I didn’t have time for conversation with my mother. I needed to talk to Adaline. “Mom, can you go over to the house and see if Adaline is there?”

“Um—I um, well I can’t do that.”

“Mom, I need to talk to Adaline and her phone is going straight to voicemail.”

“What? Oh God, I hope she’s okay. She left a little bit ago.”

Something inside of me screamed that things weren’t right. Stephanie walked around and stood in front of me as she began to take her shirt off.