Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 55641 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 278(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 185(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55641 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 278(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 185(@300wpm)
“I have to do something?”
Lila laughed. “You’ve got a few more days. But think about it—do you really want to ride off into the sunset after the ten days are up?”
I didn’t have to think about that, because I already knew my answer: no. But I also knew it was likely to happen anyway. Which was why I was determined to enjoy the time I had left with them.
Even when my stupid cousin and my stupid ex were around.
16
PENNY
It felt very strange to drive myself to the hotel on Thursday afternoon. My car didn’t sound all that great, but at least it worked. Or maybe it just took pity on me because it was a special day.
I met with Claire in her room and helped her with her vows. Hearing Claire’s heartfelt words about Matthew was enough to make my heart ache and tears flow. I couldn’t even imagine finding someone I loved as much as she loved her fiancé. I was really glad they’d found each other.
After a lot of hugs and a bit more crying, I headed to my room to get changed. Jackson was coming a bit later and then we were going out for dinner with other members of the wedding party. Claire was insistent that tonight was only for the relatives in their twenties and thirties.
Instead of going straight to my room, I walked through the lobby, intent on getting something to drink from the coffee shop. I fished my wallet out of my purse when I neared the little shop, but a receipt fell out, and I bent down to pick it up.
If I hadn’t, I would’ve walked straight into Jeff and Tanya.
My heart pounded in my chest as if I’d seen a ghost. Those two were the last people I wanted to run into, especially when I didn’t have a hot triplet by my side.
I took a few steps backwards, but that put me in a corner with no way to retreat. I pressed myself against the outer wall of the coffee shop and hoped they wouldn’t see me.
To my horror, they stopped in the lobby right in front of the little shop. The reason became clear when I calmed down enough to actually listen.
They were having a fight.
“You were flirty,” Tanya said, holding a cup of coffee.
“I was just being friendly,” Jeff said.
“I have eyes and ears. I saw the way you looked at her. And holy shit, you never tip that much.”
“She was cute,” Jeff said with a shrug. “That’s a fact. Why am I in trouble for it?”
“Because you’re with me.”
Jeff stepped forward and tried to take my cousin’s hand, but she dodged him.
“Hon, I’m with you because I want to be. The way I talk to attractive women has nothing to do with you.” Jeff took one look at Tanya’s face and backpaddled. “I mean other attractive women. You’re the prettiest of them all.”
Tanya seemed slightly mollified by that even though as far as I was concerned, Jeff was practically waving a red flag in her face.
But Jeff wasn’t done yet. “You’re gorgeous, babe, but not when you’re jealous. No one’s attractive when they’re jealous. Just ask Penny.”
My breath caught in my throat, and I nearly dropped my purse. Jeff thought that I’d been jealous during our relationship? Was he actually blaming me for his infidelity?
“I’m not like her,” Tanya said fiercely. “I’m not going to lose you.”
“Stop with the jealous act, and we’ll be together a long time,” Jeff said smugly. But I also heard what he wasn’t saying. That if Tanya felt jealous, she’d get dumped—even if she was right to question his motives.
Jeff grabbed her hand and this time, she didn’t back away. “I’ve got to take care of one thing, babe, and then I’ll meet you back at the room. We have some time before the restaurant tonight, and I know of the perfect way to use it.” He gave her a leering grin. “So don’t burn that pretty little tongue of yours on coffee.”
I almost gagged when Jeff walked away. He was such scum. Why had it taken me so long to figure that out? I wasn’t stupid, but somehow, I’d been blind to who he really was.
And it seemed like Tanya was, too.
She stared at Jeff as he walked across the lobby. When he was gone, she tossed her coffee cup into the nearest trashcan—which was just feet away from me.
Tanya froze when she spotted me. Shock danced across her face, and then concern. But then she settled for a smug smile. “Did you enjoy the show?”
“No.”
My simple answer seemed to infuriate my cousin. “We weren’t arguing. That’s just how Jeff is. Oh wait, you were with him for over a year, and you never truly understood him.”
I could’ve walked away. I didn’t feel the need to prove anything to Tanya. We’d never been anywhere near as close as Claire and I.