Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 95264 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95264 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
A shudder overcomes me, the cold finally winning the assault on my bare skin.
Garrett’s hand is on my shoulder in an instant, guiding me inside, his warm touch sending electricity through my limbs.
The glass room is quiet, the air somehow thicker than when we first arrived. There aren’t any couches or chairs up here. Nowhere to get comfortable. I swallow. “Where to next?”
He looks around. “We’re running out of places to hide. All that’s left are the second-floor bedrooms.”
“They would never find us in there.”
“My thoughts exactly.” His playful grin reminds me of the first day I met him, when I was mentally picking out the perfect outfit for our first date—and inevitable sleepover.
But guilt pricks at my conscience. Joe called my phone a bit ago, and I ignored it.
As much as I’d like to test each mattress’s springs—with Garrett beneath me—I’ve stalled the inevitable long enough. Plus, I promised my mother I wouldn’t embarrass Joe. Getting caught playing R-rated Goldilocks with the bride’s cousin might fall under that umbrella. “I should show my face. Can we take the long way down to the party, though?” Hopefully by the time we reach it, I’ll have found my nerve.
“If you insist.” His eyes dip down my dress before he offers me his arm.
“Gosh. Put on a red dress, and suddenly everyone’s a gentleman.”
“I’ve never been anything but.”
My heels click on the marble stair treads as we slowly descend to the second floor.
“The main staircase is on the other side.” He settles a palm against the small of my back and leads me down a hallway banked by doors and decorated by abstract artwork. I don’t balk at the contact. If I’m being honest, I’m hoping he’ll take it further, to a move that can’t be mistaken as gentlemanly.
The elevator ding sounds.
“… it’s been months. What else do you want me to do? I apologized to her. More than once.”
My feet stall dead at the sound of Bill’s voice around the corner. He must have come up in the elevator.
And there’s no doubt he’s talking about me.
Months? It’s only been four months. And he thinks an apology for cheating on me is sufficient?
“It’s not like her to disappear like this,” Joe says.
“She didn’t leave. Her date and her coat are still here,” Sara offers.
Great, she’s here too.
“Okay, let’s just find her and face this like adults. Have it out if needed, away from the party.”
They’re coming closer, and there is more than one set of heels clicking. I’ll bet Isabelle is with them.
I was having such a good time with Garrett, I’d temporarily shed my dread, but now a fresh wave washes over me with the idea of all four of them coming. This feels like an intervention. My head begins shaking of its own accord. “Nope, not ready yet,” I whisper, peering up into Garrett’s eyes, silently pleading for him to save me. I don’t trust myself not to burst into tears, and I’ll die if that happens.
Hooking a hand around my waist, he pulls me through a door, shutting it quietly behind us, throwing us into pitch-dark.
“Where are we?” I inhale. It smells like fresh laundry.
“Linen closet.” His voice is barely audible. “I used to hide in here when we were kids. Shhh.” He pulls me closer to him until our bodies are pressed together, the heat of him a comfort against my skin.
I can sense his heart beating.
“Maybe she’s on the third floor?” a female voice I don’t recognize says from right outside the door.
“Good idea. Okay, Izzy and I’ll check it out.” That’s Sara. “Be back in a few minutes.” Two sets of heels click away.
I’m acutely aware of Garrett’s breaths skating across my forehead as we wait for them to move on. The best thing now would be for me to make it down to the party room, pretend nothing is amiss, and avoid whatever “facing this like adults” entails.
“Don’t let her ruin your night, man,” Bill says.
“She’s not ruining anything. I feel bad. This was too much to expect of her.”
“Okay, well … you want me to bow out? You want to find another best man?”
My head bobs up and down. Yes, that would be the noble move.
“Don’t put this on me. I’m still pissed at you. Remember when I told you not to date my little sister? But you did. Remember when I told you not to break her heart? And what happened?”
“I know! I get it! I should have ended it the day me and Isabelle connected. I wish I had. But Scarlet was moving, and Justine was already depressed about that.”
That doesn’t change the fact that you cheated on me, you asshole! Rage erupts, vibrating through my limbs.
“I still love her, you know that. It’s just … it’s not the same. Not like I feel about Isabelle.”