Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 93699 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 468(@200wpm)___ 375(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93699 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 468(@200wpm)___ 375(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
“What’s wrong with this one?” I held up my hand. “It’s fine.”
“It was only meant to be a stand-in, in case photogs caught us at the airport.”
He opened a black box and assaulted my eyes with brightness.
Diamonds twinkled inside a platinum band that featured a pair of silver skates and MMA gloves entwined on both sides. The word “Carter” was engraved on its beveled edges, with “Tatiana & Travis” etched atop in tiny cursive.
It looked like something out of a dream, something designed for the couple we used to be.
“I prefer the one I’m already wearing,” I said, still stunned at the ring’s beauty. “It seems far less personal.”
“Exactly.” He made the exchange on my finger. “Our relationship is more convincing this way. The ring looks like something the highest earning fighter in the UFC’s history would buy.”
“Let me guess,” I said. “Don’t get a single scratch on it, because you’re returning it the moment this charade is over?”
“You can keep it, if you like. Consider it a souvenir from the best guy you’ve ever been with in your life.”
“That guy was someone I met long after you.”
“Then why isn’t he here marrying you instead of me?”
Silence.
“I might consider letting you take the cost of this ring out of my salary then,” I relented, admiring how it sparkled under the light. “At the end, not now.”
“Don’t be silly, Mrs. Carter,” he said. “That’d be a terrible business decision on your part.”
“Is it somehow worthless just because it’s personalized?”
“No, but I’m only paying you four million dollars. Your ring costs seven.”
“What? Why would you ever spend that much?”
“Because like I said on that voicemail you clearly didn’t listen to—” He paused. “I need this to be as real as possible…”
SEVENTEEN
PRESENT DAY
TATIANA
Two Hours Later
Fifty Miles Outside Las Vegas
Beep! Beep! Beeeeeep!
Drivers honked their horns in exasperation as the desert’s sweltering heat sifted through the town car’s open windows.
Evening traffic was at a complete standstill, and the only movement ahead was the smattering of fireworks in the sky.
“Mr. Faber, if you had to guess, how long will it take for us to get to my condo?” Travis asked.
“Four hours if I’m being generous.” He looked at us through the rearview mirror. “I forgot about Desert Fest starting tonight. My apologies.”
“It’s not your fault.” Travis looked over at me and sighed. “Do you still have problems with insomnia at night?”
“Yeah,” I said, surprised he remembered. “Why?”
“Because we should get out here if that’s the case,” Travis stepped out of the car. He walked to my side and opened the door.
Clasping my hand, he led me through gridlocked traffic and into an open-air mall.
He stopped inside an Ivory Sleep store and asked for the manager.
“Ah, Mr. Carter.” The man beamed. “To what do I owe this unexpected visit?”
“My wife and I need some sleepwear for tonight,” Travis said. “As fast as possible, please.”
The man snapped his fingers, and two staffers appeared behind me, tape measures in hand.
Within minutes, they placed an elegantly wrapped box into my arms.
Travis took out a few hundred dollar bills, but the manager pushed away his hand.
“Your money is no good here, Mr. Carter,” he said. “Just mention our store whenever you have a chance. Oh, and be sure to knock Juarez the hell out whenever you fight him again.”
“Will do.”
He led me out of the store and down the street, into The Crown Hotel.
“Welcome to Sin City’s favorite hell hole.” The desk agent didn’t look up from her magazine. “What do you need?”
“A room for the night,” Travis said.
“Clearly.” She popped her gum. “How long is that?”
“I just said one night…”
“I meant in terms of hours, sir,” she said. “This ain’t a Hilton.”
Travis turned away without another word, and we slipped through the traffic once more, walking down the block and into Happily Ever After Suites.
Life-sized swans with long pink feathers filled the lobby and glittering pink hearts hung from the ceiling.
“Good evening!” The front desk agent smiled. “How can I assist you two lovebirds tonight?”
“Depends. What does the phrase ‘one night reservation’ mean to you?” Travis asked.
“Uh…” The guy scratched his head. “Check out is at noon tomorrow.”
“Good. We need your best suite.”
Travis took out his wallet, and I pulled out my cell phone.
Me:
Hey. Crazy change of plans. Just married your brother at a chapel tonight.
Text from Penelope:
WUTTT? You didn’t send me a wedding invite?
Me:
You can host my divorce party.
Text from Penelope:
Sold! Call me tomorrow with all the details? I would call you now, but Hayden is coming back to the bedroom to eat me out again, and after that I’ll probably return the favor. Do you think swallowing affects the baby?
I muted her for the rest of the night. Sometimes she told me a little too much.
“Mrs. Carter?” Travis cleared his throat, making me look up.
“Yeah?”
“Our room is ready.”
“Coming.”
I followed him down the hall and onto an escalator. We walked down a long winding hallway and up one more flight of moving steps.