Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 83756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 419(@200wpm)___ 335(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************
Playlist
Noah Kahan: Dial Drunk
Mom and Dad: Darren Kiely
We Go Down Together: Dove Cameron & Khalid
Lover Remix: Taylor Swift & Shawn Mendes
Fall for You: Secondhand Serenade
Tattoo: Loreen
Carry You Home: Alex Warren
We Belong Together: Mariah Carey
Always Been You: Shawn Mendes
Expresso: Madilyn Bailey
Birds of a Feather: Conor Maynard
Noah Kahan: Forever
Chapter
One
Quinn
I knew from the moment I met Emery Brooks, my life would never be the same.
I am well aware that my first memory of her is from when I was four and she was two. But even back then, I knew, with her in my life, things would never be easy. Naked as the day is long, she came barreling into me as I was standing innocently in one of those pink kiddie pools. I was minding my own damn business, pouring water out of a watering can, and Emery took great offense to that.
Of course, because my attention wasn’t on her.
Back then, she wanted to be the center of my world.
She knocked me down then threw my watering can to the side. After getting to my feet, I set her with a dark look, and even with a mischievous gleam in her eyes, she wailed as if I’d hit her. I stood, shocked, unable to figure out her game.
It wasn’t until I had to sit out, watching her play with my watering can, that I knew what she was up to. She wanted to be the focus of my attention. By holding my watering can, in my pool, while my mom reprimanded me, I had no choice but to watch her. With her curls as wild as she is, her bright gray eyes, and cherubic cheeks, Emery grinned widely at me.
Because I was watching her. I could have looked at the sky or played with the grass, but my eyes were on her.
Emery was never meant to be cast to the side. She has always had main character energy, and through the years, nothing about that has changed. She does what she wants. Says what she feels and doesn’t give a shit about what people think. She’s stunning. Mind-blowing. Fucking brilliant. And will forever be the love of my life.
I think I knew I loved her the moment she pushed me down and made me watch her play with my toys. Even when I was caught by surprise that she wanted to sleep with me, I knew I was hers. I knew then she would forever be the girl I couldn’t get over.
And fuck, I tried.
I tried so damn hard, but my heart only wants her.
Which is why I shouldn’t be surprised by the sight before me.
Where my bride is supposed to be, Emery stands in an all-black dress.
Her eyes are intent on me, her lips curved up in a menacing grin that reminds me more of a serial killer than a blushing bride. Not that Emery blushes. She’s so damn confident, it drives me wild with lust. Even standing where another woman is supposed to be, she is proud. Her chin is up, her eyes locked on mine, and she’s got that look that has me wondering why I ever thought someone else would be standing where she belongs. I wouldn’t be surprised if she’d killed my real bride. Lord knows she can get rid of a body with no issues whatsoever.
While stunning, Emery is dangerous.
Not just to the world.
But to my soul.
My brain.
My heart.
My everything.
Because even though she’s not supposed to be my bride, I can’t kick the excitement of her in front of me at the altar. The relief as a calmness falls over me. But this isn’t right. Emery isn’t supposed to be my bride. In my heart, she is. But in reality, it’s supposed to be Ava Mettison.
Fucking Ava.
Where Emery is thick and curvy, Ava is thin and sharp angles. Emery’s hair is a mess of wild curls, dark and intoxicating, while Ava has a short blond bob. Ava’s hazel eyes can’t compare to Emery’s gray depths that evoke a visceral reaction inside me. Like now, I’m breathless as I stare into Emery’s eyes, and while I know she shouldn’t be here, I can’t make myself question why she is. I need to ask what she’s doing, where the hell Ava is, but I’m unable to move, much less think.
Because, fuck, Emery belongs where she is.
Before me in a wedding gown that hugs her body in all the ways I want to. I have missed her. Deeply. And I want desperately to make this reality.
But I can’t.
Swallowing hard, I ask, “What are you doing, E?”
She only grins, holding the bouquet of black roses in her hands. “Marrying the man I love.”
Jesus Christ, this woman. I look out to where I know her parents are sitting, hoping they can help, but no one is here. The church is empty.
What the hell?