That's How it Happens

21. Interception

Ainsley slipped into the upstairs coat closet and shut the door quietly behind her. She pressed her ear to the wood, holding her breath as Liv's heels clicked past and faded down the hall.

She exhaled slowly, forehead resting against the door.

She was hiding. From her sister. Again.

Liv had been relentless – bridal party demands, model scouting, and the suggestion that April walk down the aisle with Leo. Her friends. It was an absolute no. Liv had crossed the line. Again. She always did.

Poor Ethan.

It looked like she'd be placing the ad after all.

Voices drifted up from downstairs. Guests were arriving. Ainsley wished she could stay in the closet all night – cramped, quiet, and blissfully free of champagne small talk. But she knew how this worked. If she were missing for more than five minutes, Victoria would send someone to find her. Probably Liv.

Ainsley had been followed and harassed about the bridal party since lunch, and in typical Liv fashion, she wouldn't take no for an answer. It was an absolute no. It was bad enough she had to participate in this spectacle, but to ask her friend? Her friend. Liv had crossed the line...again. She was always crossing the line.

Thus, the vicious cycle began.

She said a quick prayer for composure, grabbed the doorknob, and opened the door – straight into Peter.

"Oh my God, Ainsley." He caught her by the arms, steadying her. "Are you okay? I didn't see you there?"

"I'm fine," she said breathlessly, brushing his hands away and smoothing her blouse. She'd left her jacket behind in the rush, and now the neckline felt... aggressive. Aunt Kate had helped her win the battle to dress herself tonight, which meant Victoria wouldn't approve of this outfit. That alone made it feel like a declaration of war against her and Leo.

Peter was still looking at her. Amused. Curious.

"I asked if you were in the closet," he said, grinning.

She blinked. "What?"

"I mean, when I walked by earlier, it was closed. Then I turned the corner and – bam – there you were."

Heat crept up her neck. Had she been talking to herself? She pointed vaguely at his jacket, then stopped, realizing how strange it looked.

"I was... looking for-"

"In the closet?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. "Me?"

"Yes. No. I mean-" she glanced around. They were alone. Why was she so flustered? "I was actually..."

"Looking for the rest of your pantsuit?" he teased, eyeing her outfit.

She pressed her lips into a line. "You got me," she said dryly, crossing her arms. This had been a mistake.

"I like it," he said. "I'm surprised your mom let you wear it."

That caught her attention. Let her?

"Why are you up here?" she asked, deflecting.

He smiled. "Victoria sent me to find you."

She raised an eyebrow.

"Okay, that's a lie. I volunteered."

That was... endearing. And annoying.

"I thought it was a good time to talk about-"

"If it's about the ad, I'm working on it," she cut in. "It's hard to work in private when Leo's breathing down my neck and Liv's hijacking my schedule."