Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 68743 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 344(@200wpm)___ 275(@250wpm)___ 229(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68743 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 344(@200wpm)___ 275(@250wpm)___ 229(@300wpm)
Not a bad outcome for a simple favor, Asher thought. Not at all.
Epilogue
No sooner had Asher called his family to give them the good news about the engagement than Serenity began planning. She’d called Nikki and invited her for lunch, after which, the party was set for Labor Day weekend when it would still be warm in New York.
Gold and white balloons created arches over the pool in Harrison’s backyard. He had generously donated his house for their engagement party with a little arm-twisting by Serenity. She’d promised Nikki a celebration in East Hampton, and she meant for her to have one.
Asher knew better than to get in his stepmother’s way when she got into planning mode, and Nikki, never having had a true mother, let Serenity all but adopt her. Not to mention allowing her to take over the party arrangements. Serenity’s work gave Nikki time to start interning with Sasha, who’d taken her on as her assistant.
K-Talent Productions was based out of the Hamptons, with an office in Manhattan, but Sasha spent most of her time out east. As a result, Nikki needed to be there learning and helping out. Within two weeks of their engagement, Asher had purchased a third home near Harrison’s. It just wasn’t ready for a party because it needed renovations.
He stepped outside, glad it was seventy degrees and not too warm today. The sun was a major bonus.
“People should start arriving soon,” Harrison said, joining him.
“Where are the women?” Harrison hadn’t been home when Asher and Nikki arrived.
He’d been at Dash Kingston’s house down the road. The rock star and his family were coming to the party as he was Aurora’s brother, Nick’s brother-in-law. All the Kingstons were joining them.
“They’re upstairs getting dressed. She’s with Serenity, Jade, and her new friend, Winter. She drove in from the city with us because she needed a ride.”
“Fuck me,” Harrison muttered.
“What’s going on with you and Winter?” Asher asked. “I assumed whatever relationship you two had ended after the interview was over?”
Harrison cleared his throat.
Before he could answer, Zach walked through the open back gate.
“Now it’s a party,” Zach said, walking over to them.
“How about a drink to celebrate?”
Asher glanced at his watch. “It’s eleven a.m. Chill. And don’t think I didn’t notice you ignored that last question,” he said to Harrison. “But in the spirit of the day, the caterers are going to start serving mimosas soon.”
“I need something stronger,” Harrison muttered, turning around, and heading back inside.
“What’s going on with him?” Zach watched him go.
“Forget about it,” Asher said. He already knew his brother had fucked Nikki’s best friend but if he’d screwed her over, Asher would have his head.
Zach hooked an arm around Asher’s neck and led him over to the bar where they shared the mimosas the staff had begun preparing. Not his first choice in alcohol but appropriate for today.
“I hear Nikki confronted her ex-friend and dirtbag boyfriend,” Zach said.
Asher nodded. “They were released on bail and Nikki set up a meeting with each of them alone. She needed answers.”
“You went with her, I assume?” Zach took a long sip of his drink.
“After a rip-roaring argument? Yeah. I sat at another table.”
His brother let out a loud laugh. “Your girl has spunk. Did she get what she needed out of it?”
Asher nodded. “Dressed to kill in the most expensive clothes she owned and looked like a million bucks. From Meg, she heard what she’d expected. The bitch was jealous, thought she was prettier and more talented but believed Nikki used her connections to get better positions and jobs. Meg’s modeling agency fired her, so she got what was coming to her. She’s till trying to negotiate a deal to avoid any prison time.”
“And the ex?”
Asher finished his drink and placed the glass on the bar. “The guy doesn’t have half a brain. He admitted to putting the camera in Nikki’s bedroom but blamed Meg for having the idea. Said it was because Nikki had slept with other photographers and men on the circuit but kept turning him down.” His blood boiled at the entire thing.
Zach waved at Serenity, who’d walked outside along with their father. “So the dick was jealous.”
Asher nodded. “Over nothing. Meg got him into her bed, lied to him, and convinced him to put the camera in Nikki’s bedroom. She did the rest.”
“People suck,” Zach muttered. “But Nikki’s got her whole future ahead of her. With you. So all’s well that ends well.” He slapped Asher on the back.
Their parents walked over. Asher hugged his father and kissed Serenity on the cheek.
Over time, the backyard began to fill up with family and friends, and he was overwhelmed with people congratulating him. There had been no debate over whether to invite her parents. She’d been firmly against it and he supported her decision. This was their day and she deserved to be surrounded by love.