Angi took a step forward and held up a hand. “I don’t think we need to resort to a Wild West standoff. I’m sure whatever—”

“I’m saying I want you to pick somewhere else.” Mariella’s tone had gone from upset to outright desperation. “Please.”

“You can’t always get what you want. I definitely wouldn’t have chosen for an angry, unhinged drunk to interrupt my wedding and reveal my fiancée’s infidelity in front of two hundred of our closest friends and family.” He inclined his head. “You did it anyway, Mariella.”

Suddenly the strain between the two of them made complete sense. Angi hadn’t watched the viral video of Mariella storming into the church during a famous client’s wedding to confront the woman who had been conducting an illicit affair with Mariella’s own fiancé.

The scandal was bad enough, but the obscenity-filled speech Mariella had delivered while clutching the neck of a wine bottle had been caught on camera. Although the bride was guilty of cheating, she’d launched a media blitz to ruin Mariella’s reputation and erode the trust her clients and potential customers had in her. Mariella’s company, Belle Vie, was one of the premier wedding dress design studios in the world. She’d just taken the company public, and the new board had wasted no time in firing her.

“I sent you a note of apology,” Mariella answered, looking away as Alex’s eyes narrowed.

“Apology not accepted,” he muttered. “I don’t particularly give a rat’s ass whether you want me in Magnolia or not, and I could give even less of a care about your feelings. I’ve become an expert at avoiding things I don’t like since my wedding day, and trust me, you’re at the top of the list. As far as I’m concerned, we can go back to being strangers.”

Mariella squeezed shut her eyes for a long moment, and Angi’s heart ached when a single tear leaked out. She knew her friend wouldn’t want to break down in front of Alex—or anyone—but sometimes trying to hold back the emotions was impossible.

“You should go,” Angi told Alex, facing him fully.

His dark brows lowered. “You realize I’m running the company that’s sponsoring your little town dance.”

The tone he used expressed clearly that Alex Ralsten wasn’t a man who was used to being told what to do.

“Yes,” she said slowly, trying to tamp down her temper. “I also know my friend needs you gone right now. Magnolia may be big enough for both of you, but it’s going to get uncomfortable quickly if you make it hard on her.”

Alex shook his head as he glared at Angi. During the first meeting at the mill, he’d been charming and affable, but it was clear the man had his own demons to contend with, and many of them involved Mariella.

Still, he didn’t argue. “I’ll go for now, but you can’t get rid of me or shame me into leaving. I picked this place, and I intend to stay.”