Total pages in book: 164
Estimated words: 157308 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 787(@200wpm)___ 629(@250wpm)___ 524(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 157308 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 787(@200wpm)___ 629(@250wpm)___ 524(@300wpm)
“No.” I didn’t have to think about it, or look into some far-off future. The day the medical examiner pulled back the sheet on my sister’s blue and bloated face, I knew I’d never be okay again. “But in a way, that’s good. This pain is a part of me now. It drives me to honor her memory, and do for her what Winter couldn’t do herself. If I can’t live with her, then living for her is the next best thing.”
“What kind of life will it be if you’re married to a man you don’t love?”
I inclined my head. “Not as regretful as you’re thinking. I’m doing this for Winter too. As hard as it is, if I had to go back, I’d make the same decision.”
The corner of his mouth tugged up, revealing a dimple. “You’re an intriguing woman, Luna Sinclair.”
“How did you—?”
“You’re one of the sad acts on the invitations, remember.”
That set off another round of uncontrollable giggling.
I don’t know how long we sat in there, trading sad stories, and laughing till my full bladder threatened to burst.
“Wait here.” I pushed up too hard and almost fell flat on my face. Adonis didn’t move the scotch far enough out of reach. “I’ve got to go to the—the bathroom.”
“Where am I going to go? No one’s waiting up for me.”
“Oh, Adonis.” I cupped his cheek. It wasn’t a conscious thought. One moment those kiwi-fuzz eyes were caressing me, and the next there was no distance between us. I kissed him—a quick peck that zinged electricity through my veins and flushed the alcohol out of my system. I was sober, and suddenly acutely aware of what I just did.
Jumping back, my hands flew off him. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to— That was just to comfort you, I swear.”
Adonis blinked at me, lips still parted.
“I really didn’t— I’m just going to go.” Picking up my feet, I rushed out of the library.
“Luna, wait.”
I shot through the door and ran into a hard chest. “Luna, there you are. Heavens, what is that smell?” Jack cried. “Have you been drinking?”
Oh yes, my buzz was fading fast. “A little.”
“A little? You smell like a brewery! Hurry up. Get in the bathroom and fix yourself up. It’s time for toasts.”
I did as he said, recalling our deal as I spritzed perfume on my head and prayed it covered up the scotch rinse. I played the good little fiancée and Jack didn’t pull me out of Regalia U. All things were worth it, even the loathsome Victor Wilson, if it meant Winter got justice.
Plastering a smile on my face, I entered the ballroom, finding and draping an arm around Victor. We posed for flashing cameras.
“Where were you?” he asked out of the corner of his mouth.
On the other side of the room, Saylor, Piper, Gabriella, and Everleigh sipped champagne, making no secret that they were watching me.
“I was off remembering why we’re doing this. You don’t have to worry about me, Wilson. I’m seeing this through.” I locked on Saylor’s gaze. “To the end.”
Chapter Three
Tuesday morning, I dressed in a spring break leftover outfit—a blue flowy cutout dress and silver wedges. I was due a shopping trip over the weekend to update my wardrobe, and get warmer clothes for the Regalia fall.
Mom used to love shopping with me. Maybe I can get her to come.
Moving down the line on my dresser, I tucked pepper spray, a safety alarm, a stun baton, and a self-defense key chain in my backpack. The last to go was Winter’s note. I picked it up, continuing where I was forced to leave off the day before.
Alright, it all started the first day of school when I ran into Owen Thasher at a back-to-school frat party. The girls on my floor invited me. I thought it would be fun to hang out and make some friends.
Owen latched on to me the second I walked through the door. He acted sweet at first, asking me where I was from, what I liked to do, about my family, and what I was studying. When it got obvious I wasn’t going to sleep with him, he turned into a skeeze, going on about how lucky I was he was wasting his attention on me. I told him I wished I was unlucky, so he’d stop blowing his rank taco breath in my direction.
Maybe that’s why when it all started, Owen was one of the worst to come at me. Painting frigid bitch on my door. Leaving disgusting messages on my phone all day and night from hundreds of random numbers. Getting his buddies to follow me around, moaning and pawing me.
I changed my number six times and had to get campus security to walk me to and from class. By the end of the semester, I barely left my room. He was always out there waiting to call me a dime-bag slut who should’ve taken it like a good girl and shut my fucking mouth.