Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 74643 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 373(@200wpm)___ 299(@250wpm)___ 249(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74643 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 373(@200wpm)___ 299(@250wpm)___ 249(@300wpm)
I'd take it all back in an instant.
The cab can't drive fast enough to Lily's place.
Nicole
The cab finally arrives at one of the newest and most luxurious buildings in town. It's a fucking skyscraper and Sebastian King—and now Lily—owns all of it. Their place is at the very top, of course, and it no doubt has 360° views.
I pay the driver and slip out of the cab. I must look like a mess. I try to wipe away my mascara-stained face, smooth my skirt down over my hips, and make an entrance like I actually belong in this building.
I've texted Lily and she's made it so I'm lead right in. This building has lots of security, and it makes me feel happy for Lily. At least I know she'll always be protected.
The elevator doors open at last to the top floor, and Lily's there to greet me.
"Babe, what's happened to you?" she looks truly concerned, and I realize my efforts to pull myself together haven't worked.
Nothing can hide my pain, it seems.
I look around the penthouse and say what I'm thinking, "Lily, this place is amazing. I'm so happy for you."
She leads me into a cozy lounge area where we can sit and talk.
"Yeah, you haven't seen me in my married life yet. It's pretty great. But I can see you're upset. Let's talk about you and what happened first."
I practically fall into her arms and cry, "Oh Lily, I think I've ruined my life forever. I think it may all be over. As usual, I let my anger get out of control, and I said things I didn't mean.
“Except I thought I did mean them at the time, and now I'm so confused. I don't know what to do. All I know is that Cameron, Chase, and Adam… well, they let me leave, and I might've just left their life forever."
"Oh, honey, what happened? I can't imagine it could be as bad as that. They're obsessed with you. I know so, because they told Sebastian."
I look up at her with hopeful eyes, "They really told him that?"
"Of course. Girl, if you didn't know that, then you've really been in the dark."
Her words sting me, because I might have learned them too late. Do they care about me that much? Have I just walked out on three gorgeous men who actually care about me?
What have I done?
The tears begin to fall once again, as I can't contain my emotions. I tell Lily the entire story from the beginning.
Soon, she's caught up, and she understands—although I still wonder if she'll be on my side or theirs—and if that even matters.
"So, Nicole, did you really mean those things you said to them? Because everything is riding on that. If you really think they're compromising your career, and that it's unprofessional, then you did the right thing. But if you're just confused, then that's a different story."
I knew Lily would have sound advice, as she always does.
I might as well fess up, "I didn't mean anything I said, Lily. I was acting out of blind rage. I've been trying to push them away from the beginning. My last boyfriend broke my heart so badly that it almost destroyed me.
I just can't go through that again. I don't care who it is."
"Now I understand. It all makes sense. I had no idea you were so upset about that guy still?"
She's right, of course. I'm still upset about him and it's not because I love him still or anything. It's because I had my heart broken and I wasn't expecting it.
The pain was torturous. I didn't sleep for weeks, and I felt jilted about love. I probably still do feel that way.
"I don't still love him, Lily. But I am worried about trusting someone again."
Just then, the man of the hour walks in.
"Sebastian!" Lily exclaims, genuinely happy to see him.
Her reaction reminds me of my own feelings about Cameron, Chase, and Adam. Every time they walk into a room, I feel delighted and excited by their presence. The fact that I might've lost that forever causes my heart to break.
That’s when I realize my heart is broken no matter what. I can't win.
Sebastian comes and takes a seat next to me, and Lily curls up beside him.
"Nicole, I have a confession to make. I was walking by and I caught part of your conversation. I know from experience that it's important to face your fears. I can tell you that if I didn't get over my fears I would've lost Lily forever," he looks into her eyes and kisses her.
"I can also tell you that sometimes when a man, especially one like Adam, Chase, or Cameron, otherwise known as alpha males, want someone so desperately, they can end up doing reckless things to try to force the moment. Try to take it from their perspective. They’re probably desperately trying not to lose you."