Building Her Throne Burying My Heart (Claire) novel Chapter 113

“What’s taking Garrison so long?”

Claire’s voice echoed from the hallway, making Garrison finally step out of the room.

“Sorry, I’m here now. The suit didn’t quite fit, so it took me a while to get ready.”

Claire hurried over, eyes scanning him from head to toe. “How could it not fit? Isn’t this the one I set aside for you?”

Garrison looked genuinely confused. “I don’t know. It feels a little tight. Not exactly comfortable.”

“I’m pretty sure there was a backup. Did we bring it?”

She turned to me. “Go check the car, will you? I told you to pack two suits.”

I headed outside, searched through the car, pulling bags apart and digging under the seats. No sign of the other suit anywhere. I double-checked everything, but it was just gone.

When I came back, I told them, “It’s not there. I looked everywhere. Only one suit made it.”

Garrison’s shoulders slumped. “So what now? That suit was made to match your dress for the photos.”

He glanced at Claire’s wedding gown, then down at his own clothes. “This one doesn’t really go with yours. What are we supposed to do?”

Claire turned to me, her tone sharp. “I remember watching you pack both suits. How is it missing? Lambert, are you sure you brought it?”

I caught the flicker of confusion on Garrison’s face and suddenly, the pieces clicked.

He’d asked me to pack two suits, and I know I did. So how was one missing? The answer was obvious. Someone had taken it out.

“I’m positive I packed both,” I said. “I have no clue why there’s only one now.”

Claire didn’t even look at me. “Don’t explain. Just fix it. Go back and get the other one.”

I wanted to argue, but the look on her face shut me down. When I’d finished packing, I’d stepped away to make a call. Someone must have messed with the bags after that, but there was no way to prove it.

Going back would mean a two-hour round trip.

…

Back at the house, I found the missing suit bag right on the floor in the main hall. Just as I suspected.

I’d packed both suits. Someone had definitely taken one out.

By the time I made it back, suit in hand, Claire was waiting for me. “See? You forgot to pack it. We’ve been standing around for nothing.”

I didn’t argue. Garrison looked at me from the side, a small, satisfied smile on his face. Everything was playing out exactly how he wanted.

He was probably thinking, If you’re going to stick around, I might as well make this interesting.

I caught the quick, sly grin he tried to hide. Of course it was him. He was always this sneaky.

Thanks to the morning’s drama, the afternoon schedule was a total rush.