Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 63289 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 316(@200wpm)___ 253(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63289 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 316(@200wpm)___ 253(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
Wow.
“I don’t know who it is!” One by one, Ryan slung a pair of panties at Shi. “But, I am not stupid!”
“Hey, leave Shi alone.” I frowned.
“Stop it!” Horace yelled.
Ryan slung panties at Bernard. “I’m not stupid.”
“I said stop it!” Horace yanked the rest of the panties out of Ryan’s hands. “You’re going home.”
So he’s been carrying panties around in his purse this whole time. What is really going on?
Meanwhile, M.J. sang his heart out as the limo pulled up to the Manor.
“Fine!” Ryan began sobbing. “I don’t want to go in this party and live a lie!”
Tension thickened the air.
Wow. Well. . .this is definitely not an exact repeat.
But then, I wasn’t the same me in this do-over. Somehow, I had triggered this new reality by smoking this time.
Is that an important rule or clue to getting out of this constant repeating? Should I do something different every time? Or does nothing matter at all?
In this moment, Claire hurried out of the limo before me. The driver didn’t even have a chance to open the door.
Next, Bernard tossed the panties to the floor, jumped up, and headed away.
I followed, wanting to escape Ryan and Horace’s deteriorating marriage too.
“Oh no.” Claire shrieked outside.
Bernard left the limo. “What’s wrong, honey?”
I got out after him.
“I stepped in a puddle.” She groaned and lifted her wet shoe. “My poor baby.”
Bernard frowned. “Do you want me to run back to the house and get a new pair?”
“Please, honey.”
Bernard nodded and obediently waited by the door. “As soon as everyone leaves, I’ll have the limo take me back.”
Ryan cried. “I’m going home! I can’t do this tonight!”
I inched away from the limo.
Next, Shi left.
I glanced at her. “Sorry. I know the ride got a bit ghetto with the weed and panties.”
“It is okay.” Shi shrugged. “It was. . .interesting.”
Horace climbed out of the limo and stomped away.
O-kay.
Bernard cleared his throat. “I guess I will. . .ride back with Ryan to get the shoes, honey.”
Have fun with that.
Bernard got back into the limo and shut the door.
Claire glanced back down at her wet shoes. “I am going to the bathroom. This night is turning into a disaster.”
You have no idea.
She looked at Shi and me. “Let’s go—”
“No.” I shook my head. “You and Shi should head off.”
“What are you going to do?” Claire blinked. “You’ve never been here. How will you socially navigate—”
“I’m good.” I spotted Ethan leaving the massive mansion. “Go ahead without me.”
Claire shook her foot again as if that would dry it faster. “Are you sure?”
“Yes.” I raised one finger. “And don’t drink the champagne.”
Claire gave me an odd look and headed off.
Shi nodded. “I will see you later.”
“I hope so.”
There, I waited.
At least there is one good part about this evening.
My gaze locked with Ethan’s, and every nerve in my body tingled with anticipation.
He didn’t stroll my way. He prowled, looking irresistible in that impeccable tuxedo.
He likes me.
The image of the diamond rose hit my mind.
So romantic. I couldn’t have written a better hero.
For some reason, hope sparked within me as if. . .maybe I could somehow turn this around, and perhaps he was the key to make that happen.
Or was that just the joint talking?
Ethan stopped in front of me.
He really is so irresistible. Maybe, reliving this moment isn’t that bad at all.
A smirk spread on his face as he studied me. “Good evening, Ms. Johnson.”
I smiled. “Good evening, Mr. Vanderbilt.”
“Please, call me Ethan.”
“And you may call me Maya.” I held out my arm. “I would love if you showed me around your estate. A private tour.”
He blinked. “You. . .took the words right out of my mouth, Maya.”
The first time I heard him speak my name, I thought it was lusty and full of sensual promise. This time I knew for a fact that I was right.
Ethan licked those full lips. “Then, let us begin.”
Chapter 7
A Labyrinth of Love
The moon rose in the dark sky, casting a haunting glow on the property.
Arm-in-arm, we strolled away, passing tons of elegantly dressed guests donning fabulous masks dotted with gems and feathers.
I wondered what was going on in his mind. I already knew his plan was to give me the diamond rose and confess his desires for me.
And here I had offered for him to show me around.
Ethan led us down a cobblestoned path. “Do you know much about Ravenswood Manor, Maya?”
“I know a little bit.” I considered what he’d told me before. “Wasn’t there a legend about a witch that used to live here?”
“You’ve done your research.” Shock hit his voice. “Very good.”
I grinned. “I also read that there was a maze.”
“There is.”
“I really want to see it.”
He blinked. “Then, let us go. Immediately.”
Instead of keeping us on the cobblestone path, he had us walk on the grass. “This is a short cut.”