Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 75553 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75553 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Grief overwhelmed me for the life I could have had in some alternate reality. In another life, this could have been the perfect moment. This could have been the night when Griff and I finally solidified our relationship and proved to each other how much we truly loved one another.
That’s when I realized properly for the first time that I was totally and irrevocably in love with Griffin Strong... but I could never have him.
For Griff, this was all a game. It was just a means to an end and he was looking forward to leaping over that final hurdle so that he could be rid of me finally. He didn’t really care about me at all except when he wanted to get his dick wet. My heart ached and I couldn’t take it any longer. I needed to get out of here, I needed to...
“Oh my God!” the woman at the table next to me cried and then gasped. “That’s an engagement ring! Did you two just get engaged?!” She started pointing in our direction and called the waiter over.
It was my worst nightmare.
I had to sit there and fake a smile while the waiter congratulated us and everyone around us began to clap. I felt my heart shatter into a million pieces when Griff lifted my hand and slipped the ring onto my finger. He was smiling wide and looking so pleased with himself, but I couldn’t share his happiness. All I felt inside was hollow and heartbroken.
It was officially the worst birthday of my life.
21
Griff
During the drive home from the restaurant, I decided to explain my whole plan to Remy. After all, she was a big part of this and I wanted her to know everything in advance so we could play it perfectly. My eyes were focused on the road and I was certain that my plan was going to work. My freedom was so close that I could taste it and nothing was standing in my way. I couldn’t be happier.
“Hopefully, Kelly will notice the ring and bring it up first,” I said as I turned a corner near Remy’s apartment. “That way it’ll seem natural and not forced at all. All we need to do is make sure you’re sat somewhere that your hand is visible, even if it’s just when you reached up to touch your face or fuss with your hair. That should be enough to give her a good look at it.”
Remy didn’t say anything in response and I couldn’t take my eyes off the road to look at her, but I assumed she was happy with the plan, so I carried on talking. “But don’t worry if she doesn’t. I’m good at coming up with things on the fly, so I’ll make sure I think of come clever way to break the news.”
Remy carried on sitting in silence. I couldn’t resist checking on her, so I quickly darted my eyes to the side. I noticed she wasn’t looking in my direction at all, she was staring out of the passenger window and she looked totally distracted. It wasn’t like her. Usually, she was so attentive. I kind of even expected her to start making notes.
It was strange. She had been tired these last few days and looking a little worn down. Plus, Shelley had been staring daggers at me for the last few weeks, but I thought she was just in a bad mood. Perhaps there was something bigger going on here. After all, Shelley and Remy were close and she didn’t seem to approve of the whole fake relationship... I began to feel like I should be worrying.
Speaking of which, why was Shelley so against the fake relationship? I honestly didn’t have any idea and I wondered if I should have asked Remy about that earlier.
I couldn’t dwell on the subject much longer, however, because Remy’s apartment building was just ahead. I parked up right outside and turned to Remy. She didn’t even look at me, however. She just climbed out of the door.
“Good night,” she called back to me.
“Wait!” I said before she closed the door. “I’ll walk you to the door.”
I climbed out and walked around the car until I reached her side. Remy was still looking downward and avoiding my eyes. My feeling of uncertainty was beginning to grow and I couldn’t help but want to ask her what was wrong. I didn’t want to leave her like this, but this was all new to me. I wasn’t sure how to approach the subject or even where to start.
Instead, I took her arm in my own and helped her toward her building. I stopped at the bottom of the stairs and smiled to her. “I guess I’ll see you tomorrow then,” I said, unsure what else to say.