Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 65429 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 327(@200wpm)___ 262(@250wpm)___ 218(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65429 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 327(@200wpm)___ 262(@250wpm)___ 218(@300wpm)
He called me out on it and replied, “You were wearing white on prom night too.”
“Yeah.” I patted down the front of my satin dress, making sure the fabric didn’t wrinkle. “But it wasn’t a Vera Wang, twenty-thousand-dollar dress.”
“When did you start caring about designers?”
“I don’t. Beau picked this dress out for me, and I just happened to see the cost while I was trying it on for him in the dressing room.”
“I see,” he stated in a stern tone. “He has great taste. You look exquisite. Timeless. I’m actually finding it hard to breathe in your presence.”
“You always know the right things to say.”
“I’m just being honest.”
“I’m not the only one wearing designer.” I smiled. “I recognize an Armani tuxedo when I see it. I’ve seen it on my father enough through the years. You look great, Ethan. Truly. You’re all grown up now. I feel like I’m seeing you for the first time in years, and I hardly recognize you despite seeing your face everywhere.”
“Even your dreams?”
I smirked. “Still charming as I ever, I see.”
“What can I say?” He beamed. “You bring out the best in me.”
“Ditto.”
He nodded to the jewelry I was wearing. “Will there be an armed guard following you around for the night?”
“You’d think so, right? Actually, at this point, probably. However, it was Beau’s mother’s, and now it’s mine, I guess.”
He eyed me up and down with almost a hurt expression, I knew what he was looking for that was missing from my neck.
“You’d think he was trying to buy your affection or something?”
“He doesn’t have to do that, Ethan. I’d love him without any diamonds.”
He narrowed his intense stare at me. “Says the woman who just used past tense to say how much she loves her fiancé.”
I glared at him, and he lifted his hands in the air in a surrendering gesture.
“What kind of best friend would I be if I didn’t joke at your fiancé’s expense?”
“You’re not joking. I know you don’t like him.”
“What’s not to like? I’m here for you, aren’t I? Although.” He moved his finger around the suite. “I wasn’t expecting a fairy-tale wedding in a castle of all places. It just doesn’t seem like the girl I know.”
“A lot can change in two years.”
“Are you happy?” he asked out of nowhere. “I just want you to be happy, Livvy.”
“Are you happy, Ethan?” I countered, throwing his own question back at him.
“Is there a reason you’re avoiding my question?”
“No. Of course, I’m happy. I’m getting married to the man I’m in love with.”
He eyed me up and down again.
“Stop looking at me like that.”
He played innocent. “Like what?”
“Like I’m a trophy you hang on a wall.”
A small smile spread across his lips. “If the heel fits, Mrs. Hunter.”
I winced. It was quick, but he saw it.
“It’s not like that between Beau and me. You’ve read us all wrong. You know my father will probably run for president, and this is just his way of showing off.”
“Still living your life for your old man, Livvy?”
“That’s not what I meant.”
“Not in so many words, but that’s what you just said.”
“What do you expect from me, Ethan? What do you want from me?”
“You know what I want,” he openly shared. “You’ve known since we were kids, and I surprised you with our waterhole one morning. It hasn’t changed. It never changes between us. You know that as much as I do. You may be marrying another man, but we both know who you belong to. Remember, Livvy… you once promised me that you’d never forget that you were mine first.”
I gasped, stepping back. “That’s uncalled for.”
At that moment, I hated that he knew so much about me.
I hated that our childhoods were entwined together like the weaving of a tightrope.
I hated that I couldn’t think of one experience that didn’t involve him in it.
But most of all, I hated that he did indeed claim all my firsts.
“It doesn’t make it any less true.”
“Stop it,” I ordered, shaking my head in disappointment.
“I know you inside and out, so stop pretending I don’t.”
I was about to respond, but he breathed out, “Do you love him more than me?”
“That’s not fair,” I argued, trying to control the emotions threatening to take over.
“You’re right. If life were fair, then you’d be marrying—”
“Ethan,” Beau interrupted, abruptly walking into the room. As soon as he stood beside me, he laid his hand on the swell of my back. “Glad to see you could make it.” He glanced at me for a second. “Doesn’t my girl Livvy look gorgeous?”
My eyebrows pinched together. He’d never called me Livvy before. Nobody called me that but Ethan. We locked eyes, and I could see that Ethan had the same thought as I did.
“Yes,” Ethan agreed. “My girl Livvy does look gorgeous.”
“Alright,” I chimed in, not allowing this to go much further. “If you’re both done peeing on me, I think it’s time to go greet our arriving guests.”