CHAPTER 1–UNPLANNED PLUS ONE

               April Davis Moore knew she could count to infinity, and it wouldn’t be enough. Nothing would save her from this scene or her losing her temper at some point. It didn’t matter what she did, her husband David was determined to make it happen. That was a forgone conclusion.

               She’d never lived the life of a typical socialite. Far from it, in fact. For years, after school ended, April didn’t appear on social event lists without a well-placed word from someone. Her husband, David Moore, had a well-placed family of a sort. His family made forced their way into the social scene using various not-so-subtle tactics. He’d failed to use April in a scheme which fell apart, but she wasn’t supposed to know. April was supposed to take the fall for him in the scheme.

               “I want a drink. So, get your lazy ass moving April and check us in. I want to put that drink on my suite’s tab. No sense in wasting the all-inclusive part of this wedding.” David’s Moore’s fingers bit into April’s upper arm through the golden chiffon lace sleeve and crushing the delicate material. He didn’t bother to keep his voice down or mind where he walked.

               “Yes, of course David. Right away.” April would have done anything to have a reprieve from her husband’s presence. She hid another deep sigh, because she didn’t want to trigger him. They’d been together for three weeks this time. She needed time without him for her sanity. April’s phone must be bursting with messages and emails for her business and from Carolyn Roy about the wedding.

               David released her so she could interact with the Front Desk Manager. April had the room access cards in minutes, but that wasn’t fast enough. “Thank you.”

               David stomped over like a petulant child. “I demand a separate room from her. She snores like a sick cow and drools like a mad beast.” He demanded and complained to the Front Desk Manager.

               To the Manager’s credit, he didn’t react or blink out of sync once. “Sir. Madam’s been thorough and taken care of every detail already. She’s in possession of your suite’s access cards. It’s none of my business if no illegal business is conducted.” David’s behaviour mortified April. She didn’t drool or snore all that much. April felt the Front Desk Manager put David in his place. She was unsure until he spoke to her. “Madam, if you need anything at all. Please call our concierge and ask them. They’ll be pleased to assist you.” The subtle dig of ignoring David and working with April. It had his back up.

               “David, your card. Here it is. Go, get that drink, now. I hope it’s everything you wanted.” April looked up when she saw the movement of a cheerful pink enter the lobby of silver, mirror, and marble. April recognized the person who would wear such a bright outfit in this place. Carolyn Roy, her best friend and business partner, was now the bride-to-be.

               Carolyn stopped short of the front desk at the sight of David there amid the luggage beside April, taking a room card from her. “David, you’re here. I don’t remember your name on the seating chart.”

               “I’m April’s plus one, ain’t that nice?” David sauntered past her with his room card in his hand, headed for the lounge further back in the building, past the lobby.

               The two women watched him disappear. “He’s not invited April.”

               “I know Carolyn. I’m hoping he’ll be so drunk in the lounge or in his suite he’ll forget when the wedding is and miss the entire even. Also, the room isn’t connected to your account. When he leaves, he’ll have a bill to settle.”

               “April. You didn’t. How could you do that?!”

               “Carolyn, he wasn’t invited to your wedding, and he won’t stay with me in my suite. I’m his wife. How am I supposed to take that?”

               “You have an excellent point. I also heard everything he said out here. That was uncalled for. What he said there is reason enough for making him pay for the suite’s extra charges.”

               “Right now, that’s the beginning. I found out several things, but I don’t want to ruin your wedding. That I’ll leave up to other people to I’m afraid. If they try, then we’ll spite them, okay? Believe me when I say David and his family believe they have the upper hand, but I know their money is limited and they’re blowing through it.”

               “But what about you? How are you going to survive?”

               “For one. I haven’t started. Two. Unlike David’s money no one wants to touch my money it’s gross because it smells, has a look, and has a horrible habit of growing. I find my relatives have a strange habit and that’s saving money for a rainy day or in case the kids need it. Then at some point everyone forgets about that money.”

               “What? Who?”

               “Oh, no. Not really. That’s not my story. I wish it’s that. It would be a lot less embarrassing. No. Don’t worry about it. David will be aware soon realize what the cost of hurting me is.

               “I’m confused. At work our books.”

               “Excuse me, ladies. How about we move to a more secluded location?” April froze at the sound of the man’s deep voice behind her. That wasn’t Neil speaking. Even though it’s deeper, April recognized it as her heart missed a beat before it went into overdrive. Damien Jones stood behind her and was talking to them. Why?

               Opening her mouth, April turned towards Damien for the first time. She for a second, she forgot how many years had gone by. Two years. Yes, she married David two years ago. Now, what language did she speak? She’d forgotten.

               “Hello, April. How are you?” Damien asked. His perfect smile was so easy and smooth. He was so relaxed. April was alert for something being off. Why was he talking to her? Or asking her that? Or waiting for an answer? None of this made sense. April didn’t remember Damien Jones being aware of her existence in school. Damien was too popular to interact with her kind, and April didn’t correct that belief. “April? Are you alright?”

               “I’m fine. Thank you.” April wouldn’t meet his dark eyes.

               “Carolyn, love. Damien’s right. Let’s discuss this elsewhere. With David so close.” Neil said to his fiancé as he stepped close to her side. To anyone who observed them from a distance, they would assume he was flirting with her as he led her away from the front desk and out of the lobby.

               Damien took April’s arm to lead her after the others. He’d chosen the same arm that David held onto from the airport. David’s fingers pinched into April’s arm for the better part of an hour. Now she gasped at the pressure of Damien’s touch. April stiffened, and she pulled back from him.

               He frowned in disbelief. “We’ll speak when we’re all in private.” Damien’s voice turned dark, and he moved behind her as he all but herded April after Carolyn and Neil out of the lobby. “Let’s take this upstairs. We can enjoy the privacy of the tearoom and maybe a cup of tea.”