Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 78016 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78016 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 390(@200wpm)___ 312(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
“She’s under my skin,” I read out loud the words that are etched along the outline of the roses.
“She’s under my skin, like the thorns of a rose. You know loving her is going to hurt, but you’re blinded by the beauty of the rose.” Braxton’s eyes lock with mine in the mirror, his hazel to my gray. “It’s from a song I’ve been writing...”
“About me.”
“Yeah.”
“I hurt you.”
He turns to me, and it’s then I realize we’re alone. Guy must’ve left to give us privacy. “Love hurts, but the beauty that comes with loving you is worth the pain.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
KAYLEE
“Mommy, come make a sandcastle with me!” Felix yells, scooping up and throwing sand every which way.
We’re hanging out at the beach, lounge chairs under us and umbrellas above us. It’s hot as hell outside, the sun as unforgiving as a woman scorned, but the guys have armed us with cold drinks and snacks that will quench our thirst. It’s been like this every day since we arrived, and I’m dreading when the vacation is over. A woman could get used to this.
“I have to get up, don’t I?” Layla groans, half-joking, her hand going to her very big bump—which makes sense since she’s six months pregnant.
Before I can answer, she’s already standing, looking adorable. From the back, you wouldn’t even know she’s pregnant since she’s all belly, but from the front is another story.
“Layles, go lie down,” Camden demands. “I got this.” He jogs over to where Felix is and drops down next to him. If you didn’t know their story, you’d think Camden was Felix’s biological dad—that’s how good he is with him.
“You heard the man. Lie back down.” I pat the chair next to me and sip my delicious fruity alcoholic beverage Bailey made me. The woman was probably a bartender in another life.
Layla slowly lies back down, situating herself so she can get comfortable. “It’s probably for the best. Had I actually gotten down in the sand, I’d probably never get back up.”
We all laugh at her dramatics even though she’s dead serious.
“You all ready for tomorrow?” I ask Bailey, who’s cuddling on a blanket with Cynthia. They decided on a small ceremony, just close friends and family, and since Cynthia’s family doesn’t condone her choice of partner, that makes the party even smaller.
“Yep, my mom handled everything. All we have to do is get dressed and show up.”
“Do you think Kendall will get here in time?” Layla asks, concern etched in her features.
“With my sister?” Bailey scoffs. “You never know. I love her, but she’s so damn flaky.”
“She’s not flaky,” her mom chides. “She just beats to her own drum.” Sophia says it nonchalantly, but I can see a small amount of sadness there, and I briefly wonder what that’s about. But before I can give it much thought, there’s a commotion behind us, and as if speaking her name has summoned her, Kendall appears.
Sophia jumps up and runs over to her daughter, hugging her tightly as she jokingly reprimands her for being away for so long. While Sophia is obviously older than Kendall, the two look more like sisters than mother-daughter. They both have the same thick blond hair and creamy complexion. The only difference in their features is while Sophia has emerald eyes, Kendall’s are a bright blue.
“I can’t believe you made it,” Bailey says, getting a bit choked up. I imagine getting ready to be married will do that to a person.
“I wouldn’t miss my baby sister’s wedding,” Kendall retorts, wrapping her arms around her sister. Phoebe, their other sister, joins them, and then their dad does as well. When Camden sees his entire family is together, he gets up and goes over to them. Layla joins them next, along with Felix and Cynthia.
I watch as they embrace each other, kissing each other’s cheeks while they smile and laugh.
“Why the frown?” a masculine voice asks. I look over and find Braxton sitting on the edge of my lounge chair. He had run up to the house to use the bathroom.
“I want that.” I nod over to them. When Braxton quirks a brow, not understanding, I explain, “I want a family.”
I don’t have to say anything more because he gets it. He listened to me when I was younger talk about how much I missed my family. Sure, I still have my mom, but when she looks at me, I think she sees my dad, which makes it hard for her to be around me.
“Sometimes, I think having had a family and losing it is worse than never having had one at all,” I admit softly.
“I get that,” he says, squeezing my leg.
“What’s going on?” Declan asks, joining us.
“Kendall’s here,” I say. “Flew in for Bailey’s wedding.”
Declan’s gaze darts over to where the Blackwood clan are talking. “She, uh, here with anyone?”