Total pages in book: 68
Estimated words: 66259 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 331(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66259 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 331(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
I snort. “Wow, this coming from the one who studied thou shall not kill but nearly murdered him last night?”
“He had sex with you.” He hisses and takes a huge bite of cake, chewing furiously like he’s chomping down on Killian. “I still want to strangle him, but he’s actually a good guy and I like his taste in style.” Frown lines etch themselves across his forehead. “Just don’t tell him I said that.”
Guys are idiots. “It’s literally identical to yours. It’s like you’re these weird long lost Jekyll Hyde brothers or something.”
“Ha!” He drops his fork and sobers. “Could be true. I was adopted.”
A hushed pause drops between us. “I mean, that would be crazy.” I look closer, I mean they do have some similarities. “Nahhhh, but can you imagine?”
“No. Because that would mean you slept with two brothers.” He laughs.
“Ewww!” I cover my ears. “Stop it, I don’t like it.”
“Oh, you loooved it last night, probably what attracted the mouse in the first place,” he says sarcastically.
I hit him in the shoulder, then pull his ear when he doesn’t stop laughing.
“Ow, ow, stop! I’m sorry, okay?”
I let him go and smile sweetly. “Better?”
He rubs his ear and grabs his fork again then looks up.
Killian’s walking over, tie off in his hand, his face grim and downturned, not the Killian I know or the one I’m used to at least.
“It’s not looking good, coach.” I stand and put a hand on Adrian’s. “Promise you’ll always be my best friend and buy me donuts.”
He points his fork at me. “Don’t forget throwing groceries at old ladies and burning Addison’s house down just because we can.”
I laugh even though my soul wants to cry. “I do love you.”
“I love you too. It’ll be fine. I promise.” He kisses my hand. “And priests should keep their vows to their best friends.”
“They should,” I admit. “However, nobody will judge you if you ever decide that it isn’t the life for you.”
He looks down at the black table both. “I think I’d just judge myself.”
“Nah, I’ll just punch you every time you do.”
“Oh good, that’s encouraging. Go get the rockstar before he cries. He doesn’t look so good.” He gets up. “I’m off for more cake and to make sure Dustin isn’t trying to find a fake girlfriend amongst the guests.”
“May the force be with you.” I salute him.
“You too.” He winks.
I smooth down my green dress and try not to stare down at my nude heels as I walk toward Killian in the grass.
He holds out his hand.
How wonderful would it be to know that that gesture would lead to forever or at least potential when I think he’s about to say goodbye.
I take it anyway. It’s warm, strong.
He’s still in his groomsman clothes that don’t really fit, an open white shirt and navy slacks that hug his ass like they’re about to explode. Damn it, Addison.
“Let’s talk,” he whispers.
We walk for a while until we’re overlooking the river in one of the vineyards, sitting on a wooden bench that’s so fairy tale-like I want to set it on fire.
It’s the kind of bench people get proposed to on.
It’s the kind of bench people find love on.
Not the kind of bench people leave you on, when they give you their back and walk away forever while you stare at the beauty in front of you.
I hate this bench so hard.
“So…” My hands are really shaky, so I pull them away and clasp them together, I don’t want him letting me down easy while holding my hand; it feels too sad.
“That was my ex, Cassidy.” He isn’t looking at me.
She even has a pretty name, and she looked so kind. I hate her, but she has a baby, I touch my own stomach briefly, not something I can possibly think of right now.
I might break if I do.
“Oh.” I smile. What else can I say? Yeah, I know it is. I heard my sister. “Well then is this a happy thing?” I’m reaching, stretching.
He turns fully to me, his smile sad but intact. “She just reminded me of a few things, apologized, and I think I found some answers to things I needed, I think in our weakest moments we turn to selfishness, inward, instead of outward, because it’s too painful to reach for help and get rejected if nobody offers it.”
My throat closes. “Then I’m happy for you, that you got to be with her, rekindle or… talk.”
He sighs and puts a hand on my thigh. If he pats it, I’m going to murder him. I don’t need him to patronize my tears. “I’m willing to walk away—from you.”
My eyes widen. Did he just say what I think he said? Did he just? Did he just? I can’t see because my eyes blur so hard. I promised I wouldn’t cry but the tears just stream down my face.