Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 69371 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 347(@200wpm)___ 277(@250wpm)___ 231(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69371 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 347(@200wpm)___ 277(@250wpm)___ 231(@300wpm)
I take a deep breath before jumping out of the truck and going over to the van. "Good news," Mallory says, coming down the stairs toward the van. "We are running a bit behind schedule,” I hear her saying to Mikaela. My head’s spinning at this news. Now that it's running behind schedule, does that mean I’ll have a better chance of seeing her?
"Thank you, Jesus,” Mikaela breathes out, looking at me as she opens the back of the van. "Do you want to go in and start preparing stuff while I unload and bring things in?"
"No." I shake my head. "I'm only helping set up. You should get into the groove,” I reply, avoiding everyone's eyes.
Mallory takes the tray that Mikaela hands her before the two of them rush inside. I unload the van with my head down the whole time. I walk into the kitchen, hoping I don't see her sisters, just in case they know that I fucked their sister over.
"I don't know what’s going on,” I hear Mallory say while I bring in the second tray and put it on the counter. "Usually, they are on time to the second." She looks over at the kitchen door. "I just hope she's okay," she says under her breath, and just the thought of her not being okay makes my stomach even more upset. I need to get the hell out of here now.
"Well, whatever it is," Mikaela says, putting a tray down on the wooden counter, "I'm thankful." She looks up at me. "It would get me up to speed if you start doing the grilling." I don't know if she is asking me or telling me. I know that she's just freaking out because she's behind. I also know she’ll get it done regardless of whether I'm here or not. But I know that if I leave now, I'm an asshole. I also know that if I stay longer and risk the chance of seeing Clarabella in a wedding dress, it might just push me over the edge.
"Sure," I reply, my head telling me this is a bad idea. I walk over to the sink to wash my hands before I start anything. I walk to the side where I know an apron is hanging, slipping it over my head before heading over to the grill. I block it all out, or at least I try to. I start the grill and then walk over to the veggies to grab them. But every single time the door opens and someone else comes in, my head whips around. Pretty soon, I'm going to give myself whiplash.
"Don't mess things up,” Mikaela warns as she rushes around, trying to get everything set up. I hear pots and pans start smashing together as she puts her things on the stove. The kitchen starts to fill up with more and more people. I look over and see the waitstaff waiting in the corner for things to start. I can hear whispers coming from every direction, but I don't pay them any attention. If I stay in my little corner, no one will take notice of me. I also stay in the corner, hoping that this goes fast. I finish grilling the veggies just in time to see Mallory, who comes back into the kitchen with a worried look on her face. "We are really behind." She looks around now, but I can tell from her face she's about to freak out. Running behind at a wedding can happen, but when it does, it's a snowball effect.
"Is everything okay?" Mikaela looks at Mallory as she wipes her hands on her apron.
"We have no idea," Mallory says. "They aren't telling us anything. Her sisters just came in and said that there was a dress emergency." She looks around. "Is there anything ready I can take out there?"
"Give me five minutes," Mikaela responds, going to get trays set up. "I'm good to go." Mikaela looks over at me. "I can catch up now that things are a bit behind." She looks over at Mallory, who is now talking to the waitstaff as they get ready to go and offer drinks to the guests.
"You sure?" I ask, even though my head tells me to run. She nods her head at me as she prepares a couple of trays. "Okay," I say, walking back to the side and taking off my apron. I walk to wash my hands. "I'll see you sometime next week."
Mikaela smirks at me. "Have fun."
I laugh. "I'm planning on having a ball," I throw back but then just turn around knowing that as soon as I park my truck, I'm having a drink in the truck. I look around, seeing people scrambling, and just turn to walk out. "Call me if you need anything," I say, even though I know I won't have service, and I can hear her laugh out loud as I walk out of the kitchen. "Almost there."