Total pages in book: 101
Estimated words: 95326 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95326 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 477(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
“I’ll give you two a moment alone,” Killian says before making himself scarce.
“Celeste,” Nick says, giving me a hug and a kiss on my cheek. “You look gorgeous as always.” He hands me a small box. “Thank you for doing this.”
“Of course,” I say back, taking in his fitted tuxedo. His tie is royal blue, matching the bridesmaids’ dresses and the jewels in Olivia’s princess tiara. As I stare at my best friend, I can’t help but get choked up. While I’m extremely happy for him, I’m also sad. It wasn’t too long ago that Nick and I were engaged, and I was planning our wedding. I know we never would’ve worked out, and I don’t view Nick as anything more than a friend, but being with him kept what’s left of my heart safe. I didn’t run the risk of it being stomped on or broken any more. Now it feels as though the tiny slivers of my heart, which are still left intact, are out there for anyone to take and destroy.
“Thank you,” he says softly.
I give him a confused look. “You already thanked me.”
“Not for bringing Olivia my wedding gift.” He shakes his head. “For being my best friend. For being you.” His eyes gloss over with unshed tears. “You know I’m always going to be here for you no matter what, right?”
“I know.” I nod. “I’m so happy that you found your one.” Tears of my own surface and I blink several times, willing them away, so they don’t ruin my makeup.
“You know it’s time, right?” Nick says. “To find yourself someone to love.”
“I don’t think I can do it,” I admit quietly. “I don’t think I know how to.”
“You do,” he says with a small smile. “You just have to let go of all that hurt.”
“How? How did you let go of it all?”
“I had no choice,” he says, his smile widening. “I had to make room in my heart for Olivia and Reed.”
“Yeah, well, my problem is a little different,” I blurt out. My heart isn’t just filled with hurt. It’s damaged beyond repair. Nobody wants something that’s been used and abused, when they can have something new and shiny and perfect.
“How?”
“It doesn’t matter.” I flick away a traitor tear and plaster on a smile. “Today is your big day. Don’t let my problems bring you down.” I shake the box he handed me. “I’ll make sure Olivia gets this.”
I turn to walk away, but Nick catches my wrist. “Was it Jase, Celeste? Did he break your heart?”
The tears I worked so hard not to let fall, do, as I nod my head once and whisper, “Yes.”
Nick turns me around to face him, and with a deep frown, asks, “What happened?” I can see it in his features, hear it in his tone, he isn’t going to take a brush-off. We’re no longer in a crowded, loud club surrounded by our friends. It’s just Nick and me, and my truth.
“I-I fell in love with him. It was stupid, really. It was only a few days, and I was young…” I try to downplay my feelings, but Nick’s head tilts slightly, telling me he isn’t buying it. “Anyway, I was going to give up the summer internship to stay with him.” Nick’s eyes widen at my words. “But when I went to talk to him about it, I caught him with another woman.” I shrug.
“Fuck, Celeste.” Nick pulls me into a hug. “Say the word and he’s gone.”
“No, it’s okay,” I tell him as we pull away. “It was a long time ago and clearly all the feelings were one-sided. What’s done is done.”
“Except it’s not,” Nick points out. “Whatever happened between you two has been lingering and festering for years. Maybe it’s time you two talk and get some closure.”
“You’re right.” And he is. I’ve spent too many years allowing my broken heart to steer my life. I meant what I said when I broke things off with Chad. I want to find love. In order to do that, I need to have a whole heart to give someone, and I can’t do that as long as I allow mine to remain broken. Now, I just have to work up the courage to talk to Jase.
After giving Nick one last hug, I head back over to Olivia’s room to give her Nick’s gift. It’s a beautiful necklace with a charm of an open book on it. On the back is their wedding date with an inscription that reads: This isn’t the epilogue… it’s the first chapter of a new book.
* * *
The wedding was beautiful, full of happy tears and laughter. Happy tears, when Olivia and Nick said their vows, promising to love each other as they continue to write their story. Laughter, when Reed insisted on joining them at the alter as they kissed.