Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 88153 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88153 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
“I wish he had,” I lie, the thought eating at me to the point I want to hurl. Instead, I school my face and fluff a few of the wayward curls Zoe put into my hair.
“Girl, you are crazy. Niko is hot as hell, and I know you think he’s sexy.”
“Scary is more like it.” I hate deceiving her but in for a penny, in for a pound—or whatever that saying is.
“Keep holding onto that. I think you know that I know you’re lying. I’ve seen how you look at him, and it’s clear to anyone around you that you’re attracted to him.”
“He is hot. Everyone is attracted to him if they have a pulse—man or woman. That’s not a reason to marry someone, though,” I snap, knowing that at least, is one hundred percent true.
“People have gotten married for far less,” she adds. “You don’t see how lucky you are. If someone told me that I could marry a man like Niko Petrova…”
She lets out a whistle and fans herself, making me laugh.
“You take my place then,” I joke, taking solace in the fact that she can’t. Zoe is gorgeous and outgoing. She’s free spirited and everything I’m not. Niko would probably prefer her.
“Come on now. With my pale skin and freckles all over, there’s no way he’d take me. My red hair is so curly the humidity makes me look like a damn poodle.”
“Stop it. You’re beautiful.” Does she really see herself like that?
“C’mon, Emmie. We both know I’m not.”
“I’m serious. You’re gorgeous.”
“I can’t hold a candle to you.” How did I not know that Zoe had hang-ups about her appearance just like I do? Well, mine isn’t so much my appearance as much as my personality and the way I interact with others. I’d try to explain it to her, but how does one explain anxiety to someone who has never suffered from it?
“I don’t think so. I mean, I know I look good. That isn’t all I am, though. Sometimes, beauty is all others see. The person gets lost,” I admit quietly. “Niko agreed to marry me, but he doesn’t even know me. He just wants a trophy on his arm—the daughter of the great Maxwell Korslova.”
“I’m sorry,” she says, squeezing my arm in support. “Maybe you can show him that you’re more. You never know. It could be a good marriage.”
“Maybe,” I respond, thinking that might just be hopeless. There will always be a Katherine or other women like her throwing themselves at Niko and it’s not like he’s confessing undying love for me.
“Okay, I’m all finished. What do you think?”
I look in the mirror and force a smile. “You did great. I’m going to quit whining for the night. Now, it’s your turn to sit here,” I demand, getting up. “I’m going to do your hair. Then, we will find you a beautiful dress to wear.”
“Oh, no. My dress will do fine. I don’t need to borrow one of yours. With my luck, I’ll spill something on it that will ruin the fabric forever.”
“Have you seen my closet? There are so many clothes in there. Niko is always sending me things. I will never be able to wear all of them. Stop arguing, and let’s find a dress!”
We walk over to my closet, and Zoe grudgingly stops arguing. I think she’s doing it so I will stop whining about Niko, but I don’t care. I want to make Zoe see what I see when I look at her.
A gorgeous red head who deserves the best in life.
CHAPTER 17
Emilia
As we walk into the hottest restaurant in town, my nerves are running crazy. I look over at Vic, needing reassurance. He smiles at me, and I start to return the gesture before Zoe stumbles beside me, taking my attention.
“What’s wrong?” I hiss, grabbing her elbow and trying to make sure she’s okay. Zoe is always so self-assured, but for the first time, I notice her nerves are almost as bad as mine.
“The guy with Niko is staring at me,” she mumbles.
I look over at the table, frowning. “Oh, that’s Callan. He’s Niko’s best friend and attorney.”
“Attorney?” she asks, and I nod. “Eww,” she scrunches up her nose, making us both laugh.
The men stand as we arrive, and although Callan is a very good-looking man, I barely pay him attention. Niko takes my hand and pulls me to him. For a minute, I think he might kiss me again like he did last night. I’m strangely disappointed when he only kisses my forehead. Frustration fires through me again. He’s never going to see me as a woman. The kiss had to be nothing more than a fluke. He pulls out my chair and I gladly sit down. My legs are too weak to continue to hold me up.