Total pages in book: 52
Estimated words: 52643 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 263(@200wpm)___ 211(@250wpm)___ 175(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 52643 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 263(@200wpm)___ 211(@250wpm)___ 175(@300wpm)
Brett tilts my head up with his fingertips.
As the countdown hits one, he kisses my lips, and for the first time since we’ve been together, I have no desire to kiss him back.
I laugh instead as I pull away, pointing up at the fireworks that are dazzling the sky, hating that this new year has already brought me an old pain.
4
GENEVIEVE
Glitter confetti and glass shards cover the floor. The party is long over, and my promise to help Lauren cleanup couldn’t have come at a worse time.
I hold back tears as I stuff a trash bag with cups.
Lauren is dating Liam…Liam is her “first serious boyfriend.”
“Hi.” Liam steps in front of me.
I don’t say anything.
I can’t.
The wind whistles past us, carrying a handful of confetti with it.
“It’s nice seeing you again, Genevieve,” he says.
“Too bad I can’t say the same.”
“So you’re still as immature as I remember?” He tries to tell a joke.
I don’t reward him with laughter.
“Okay.” He lets out a sigh. “Goodbye.”
Goodbye? “So, that word is in your vocabulary?”
“Excuse me?” He turns around.
“I didn’t fucking stutter,” I say. “I haven’t heard from you in years, and I convinced myself that something tragic happened to you and that you were too chicken shit or cowardly to let me go, but it sounds like I was wrong and you’re capable of saying the word goodbye.”
“I also said it was nice to see you again. What more do you want?”
“An explanation for why you abandoned me without warning is a decent place to start.”
“If anyone owes someone an explanation, Miss Edwards,” he says, the look in his eyes is cold and detached. “It’s you.”
“So you’ve lost your mind these past four years as well?”
He shakes his head and steps back. “Goodbye.”
5
LIAM
Boston’s misty morning air slips through my car’s open windows.
“You alright over there?” Lauren looks over at me. “You haven’t said much since we left the party.”
“It’s been a long day.”
“If the first day of the new year is bad, that doesn’t bode well for the rest of it.”
I smile as we reach a red light. “You did a great job capturing New York with your party.”
“You promise?”
“One hundred percent.”
“Well, I couldn’t have done that great of a job since your New Year’s kiss didn’t come with a mention of you wanting us to be exclusive.”
“I walked right into that one, didn’t I?”
She nods. “I’m one hell of a catch, Liam. Like, the ultimate prize. I’m not trying to be pushy, but it’s been months.”
I want to tell her that she’s the only person I’ve taken seriously since my last girlfriend, but seeing as though that person is currently the “closest friend [she’s] ever made,” I don’t think that’s appropriate.
Why the hell has she been calling her Jean-yay-Veev? Why didn’t I catch this before?
“Liam?” She clasps my hand. “Do I need to explain what I mean by ‘prize’? I know you tend to get literal with definitions sometimes.”
“You’re a self-made millionaire and the most sought-after wedding planner on this side of the country,” I repeat the words she says to herself in the mirror daily. “You’re…that bitch.”
“Exactly.” She nods. “And I’ve chosen you, a guy who is also a multimillionaire and killing things in his own way. We’re one step away from being the ultimate power couple, and I need to know what your deal is.”
“It’s been a while since I’ve had feelings for someone,” I say. “It’s still raw.”
“Okay. I’ll keep buying that a little while longer.” She rubs her hand on my shoulder. “Do you mind if I make a few phone calls?”
“Of course not.”
She kisses my cheek and pulls out her phone. “Jerry? Lauren here. Can you give me the logistics from tonight’s VIP booths?”
I pull onto the highway as she speaks, trying hard not to think of Genevieve, but it’s useless.
I was just now learning to live without the memories of her infiltrating my system. Just now waking up and forgiving myself for leaving her behind.
But one single glance of her, and it all flooded back. The memories are pulling under their waves and threatening to drown me.
She’s still the most stunning woman I’ve ever seen, and witnessing her smile—even if only for a few seconds—made me regret giving up the sight of it.
Then again, she made me give it up…
6
GENEVIEVE
Two days later
Lauren
What did you think about the party? & my boyfriend?!
Are we still doing brunch today?
Istare at the ceiling, counting the cracks like I’m seconds away from getting punished Principal Peterson. That’s the only logical reason why I’ve stumbled into a weird flash-forward daydream of my life.
There’s no way that Liam waltzed back into my life on the arm of someone else, without an explanation, without a drop to his knees “I can’t believe I didn’t at least say goodbye” apology.
That’s it. This is all a bad dream.