By now, my thoughts were churning so hard, I could hardly think. "Me?"
"Yes,you." Her tone grew accusing. "You don't look very friendly."
Funny, I wasn'tfeelingfriendly. It was time to ask some questions of my own. "And who exactly areyou?"
"Oh, my gosh." She put her hand to her face. "I should've said that up front. No wonder you're confused."
As she spoke, I couldn’t help but notice the massive diamond ring twinkling on her finger. Yes,thatfinger.
Desperately, I tried to think. Bryce had two sisters.Could this be one of them? Or maybe a distant cousin? A real estate agent? A reception guest arriving early?
But then, she dropped the proverbial hammer. "I'm Natalia."
The name hit like a pie to the face. "Natalia?"The ex-girlfriend, Natalia?
She gave a little laugh. "What, he didn't mention a fiancée?"
No. He most certainly had not.But the thought of admitting it – especially to her – was too horrifying to consider. Plus, I wasn't quite sure I believed her.
Into my silence, she asked, "Aren't you going to let me in?"
My chin lifted. "No."
She drew back. "Why not?"
"Because you're not on the list."
"What list?"
"Of expected visitors."And that was a massive understatement.
Her eyebrows furrowed. "There's a list?"
"Look, I don't even know who you are—"
"But I just told you who I was."
"Yes, but Bryce didn't." I summoned up my smirkiest smirk. "Maybeyou'rehis cleaning lady."
She reeled back like she'd just been slapped. "You can't be serious."
Through gritted teeth, I said, "Wanna bet?"
Glaring now, she reached into the pocket of her fake furry coat and pulled out a cell phone. "Bryce issogonna hear about this."
Yes. He was.
And not only from her.
Chapter 36
Bryce
I was at the job site talking with the lead electrician when I felt a firm tap on my shoulder.
I turned to look and spotted Harper standing directly behind me. At the sight of her, I smiled in surprise. "Hey, you."
Around us, the site was humming with activity – carpenters, electricians, and even a few decorators who were stringing up Christmas lights on the fronts of the little houses.
