Dressed in an emerald-green dress and L.K. Bennett wedges, with her hair extra bouncy thanks to the pricey Bergdorf blowout and with her makeup professionally applied by the skilled hands at the Charlotte Tilbury counter, she sauntered up the familiar steps and smiled in thanks as the doorman opened the door for her.

She’d taken extra care with her appearance today, wanting to look her best when she posted on Instagram that she and her fiancé had opted to go their separate ways. If she was going to open herself up to Scandal Boy’s claws again, at least her hair would be on point when he took a swipe at her.

Stepping into the Plaza lobby, Audrey was so busy looking for the petite Alexis that she didn’t register that someone else was coming her way until he was right in front of her.

“Hey! What are you doing here?”

Clarke shrugged. “Alexis called me. Said I had to be here.”

“Oh. Did she tell you why?”

“I think we’re about to find out,” Clarke said, nodding toward the approaching wedding planner.

Alexis smiled at them. “Good. I’m so glad you were both able to make it.”

She gestured at someone behind Audrey and Clarke, and a hotel employee approached with a tray holding two champagne flutes. “Our congratulations on your upcoming nuptials,” the woman said with a polite smile.

Audrey smiled back, even as her stomach sank at the reminder of why they were really here. To end it, once and for all. Still, the crowded lobby wasn’t the place to do it, so she and Clarke both took a flute. This was one of the things she’d miss most when they called it off—the champagne.

She glanced at Clarke, and her stomach flipped just at the sight of him. Maybe champagne wouldn’t be the thing she’d miss most, and that was utterly terrifying. And to be dealt with later. Alone.

Alexis motioned for Clarke and Audrey to follow her, and they headed toward the private event spaces.

“So, I know you’ve probably attended events here over the years,” Alexis was saying. “But I wanted you to come today specifically, for two reasons. The first…”

She motioned to an open door, and Audrey let out a delighted gasp. Alexis smiled knowingly. “So you could see it set up for a Friday reception that I think is very much in line with the vision you two have described to me.”