Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 101101 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 506(@200wpm)___ 404(@250wpm)___ 337(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101101 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 506(@200wpm)___ 404(@250wpm)___ 337(@300wpm)
I lay a soft kiss on her flesh, and then I leave her in the bathroom to finish getting undressed. I consider throwing the bag in the garbage, but doing so will mean admitting I’ve gone completely soft for this woman. So, instead, I head to my office and place the bag in my drawer, locking it for safekeeping.
It’s just a slight deviation from my plan, I tell myself.
But my goal is still the same.
19
Brielle
“Oh my God. This feels so good.”
I glance at my pregnant sister-in-law, whose eyes are rolling up to the gods, and laugh. I might not have wanted to do anything that involved celebrating my upcoming marriage, but spending the day at the spa with Nicole, Dani, Peyton, and my mom has been nice.
When I first moved back, I tried to keep in touch with some old friends, but I quickly learned how fake they were, trying to use me to get to my brothers, and once they were both off the market, I barely heard from them. So, when Nicole asked me who I wanted to join us, my family and Nicole were the only people that popped into my head.
“Be careful,” I say to Dani. “It might get back to Matteo that someone else is getting you off, and he’ll kill ’em.”
Dani snorts out a laugh, but then quickly sobers. “You’re right. He probably would. Although, the closer I get to popping this little one out, the more he gives in to my every whim. I could bat my lashes and ask him not to kill anyone, and he’d listen.”
Everyone laughs, and I join in, but my focus is on her belly, wishing I could push my envy away but wanting so badly what she has.
“So, when does the studio officially become yours?” Nicole asks, shaking me from my thoughts.
“Wait, what studio?” Peyton asks.
“North Harbor Point Pilates,” I say with a grin. “I didn’t want to jinx it until it went through … but the contract has been signed, and once the funds have cleared, the studio is all mine.”
“Oh, Bri!” Dani exclaims. “That’s so awesome.”
“It all happened so quickly,” I admit.
One minute, I was googling purchasing the studio, and the next, the contract was signed.
“Congratulations, honey,” my mom says with a sniffle.
“Mom, why are you crying?” I laugh. “It’s a good thing.”
“These aren’t tears of sadness,” Mom clarifies. “They’re from joy.” She smiles warmly at me and then glances at Peyton and Dani. “All I wanted was for my kids to find love and happiness, and I’m so glad they have.”
Dani glances at me with a soft, sympathetic smile, knowing what my mom doesn’t know—that I haven’t found love. But I shake my head, silently telling her to let it go.
“Kane’s actually the one who got it for me,” I admit, unsure why I feel the need to say that. “Apparently, Theo was butthurt that I’d broken things off with him, and he tried to ruin the deal I was working on with the investment company. But Kane found out and handled it.”
Nicole smirks. “Look at him go. Not even married yet, and he’s husband goals.”
I roll my eyes and lean my head back, ignoring her remark. Every day this week, Kane has joined me for breakfast at Nicole’s coffee shop before we part ways—me to the Pilates studio and him to work. And every day, once he’s gone, Nicole tells me that my husband is in love with me. And it didn’t help that, one morning, when I was running late, he got in line for me, and when the person in front of him bought the last strawberry muffin—after I told him I was dying for one—he gave them a hundred dollars to order a different muffin. Apparently, that was enough to have her crossing over to Team Kane.
Once our pedicures are done, we follow Leslie, the spa owner, back to the luncheon room, where we’re having afternoon tea. The room is decorated in different shades of pink with a banner across the top that reads Bridal Shower.
There are adorable four-tier stands that hold layers of sandwiches and snacks and so many sweets. Nicole once told me her favorite place to travel as a teenager was to the UK, and I now understand why.
“This is so cute!” Dani gushes. “I need to take a picture.” She pulls out her phone, but then drops it, clutching her belly.
“Are you okay?” I ask just as a loud scream pierces the air from somewhere outside of the room we’re in.
Immediately on alert, I run toward the door and slam it closed, locking it behind me. I don’t know what the hell is going on, but I’m not going to make it easy for whoever it is on the other side.
“We need to hide,” I tell everyone as I glance around the room, confirming there are no other doors.