Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 89012 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 445(@200wpm)___ 356(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89012 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 445(@200wpm)___ 356(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
“I’m getting a drink. Do you guys want anything?” Rebecca asks.
“Nope. I’m good,” I say.
“Trying to preserve this lipstick for later.” Sara pushes her lips out to display her mouth that’s the same color as her heels. “I’m meeting someone from a dating app after this. We’ve met a few times. He’s not the one, so I keep seeing him.”
I just shake my head. She never totally makes sense. And her boss clearly doesn’t seem to mind her choices either.
She reaches over and takes the folder. Then she puts it back into the bag.
“Can I ask a favor?” I ask.
“Sure.”
I bite my lip. “Please don’t pick the Carmichaels?”
“Did you just say not to pick Jess or Banks?” Rebecca comes back into the room and takes her seat on the chair. “Did I really just hear you say that? What’s wrong with you?”
I shrug. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.
“Just … I think it might be awkward since Mad and I are friends. I don’t know. Maybe it’s fine too.” I’m talking too fast. “You know what? Just do what you want. Just … it’s fine. It’ll be fine. I’m overthinking.”
Sara and Rebecca exchange a look that I can’t quite place.
“Are you guys going to tell me what that look is about?” I ask.
“No.” Sara stands up and grabs her bag. “You’re imagining things. I’m going to go and meet Fine As Fuck Freddy at a hotel on Maribella. We’re calling it Happy Hour because we’ll both definitely leave happy.”
“Enjoy,” I say as she walks to the door.
“I’ll call you later,” Sara tells Rebecca.
“Thanks for the dress, Sara,” Rebecca says as Sara shuts the door.
The room is quiet, almost too quiet, once Sara is gone. Rebecca takes her new dress back out of the bag and admires it.
And I admire her.
“Hey,” I say, getting up. “Let’s get out of here.”
She looks up at me.
“Let’s go grab something to eat. Want to go to Shade House and have some Cajun fries?”
She stands. “Always. Let me hang my dress up. Be right back.”
As I wait on Rebecca, my mind drifts to the things I bought for my trip. A few new sundresses and a couple of cute tops. I found a cover-up that doesn’t really cover anything up but is pretty sexy—just in case they pick really well.
I imagine standing on a beach with one of the applicants. With Henry or Jess or even Banks. But as soon as I try to see their face, my stomach tightens into a knot.
I only see Maddox. And there are so many problems with that.
“Ready?” Rebecca asks.
“Let’s go.”
TEN
Ashley
Why are airports always so cold?
I roll my eyes at myself.
Sure. It has nothing to do with your overwhelming desire to stand and scream, “Who is here for me?” Nothing to do with that at all.
I tug the sweater that I borrowed from Rebecca tighter to my body.
Getting to the airport three hours before takeoff was a horrible choice. There are only so many things you can peruse in the Newsstand, so many times you can walk the length of the concord, and your bladder can only hold so many iced lattes.
And to think, it’s all to keep your mind off a mystery man you’re about to spend a few nights with.
Who hasn’t shown up.
I pull out my phone again and text my friends’ group chat.
Me: Still no one.
Rebecca: I love you, Ash, but if you don’t stop texting us this every ten minutes, your stuff will be on the lawn when you return.
Me: It’s just as well because, while I’m fine to go alone, I’ll already be humiliated that someone I know stood me up ON A HONEYMOON.
Rebecca: You do realize it’s not your honeymoon with them, right?
Sara: Relax and read a magazine. He’s coming.
Me: Just tell me who he is so I know when he arrives.
Sara: You’ll know him. He’s ridiculously handsome, which will be unusual for you to spend time with, we know. Do your best. He’s also excited to come. It’s been adorable, and quite frankly, we’re jealous. And, again, you know him. I promise.
Rebecca: Now stop with the freak-out. I’m trying to wait on tables, and you’re driving me nuts.
Me: Then put your phone in the back.
Rebecca: I’ll have your stuff in a box tucked against the garage.
Me:
I pull my hands into the sleeves of my sweater.
This was a lot more fun when I wasn’t sitting at the airport, staring at a jet through the window with just a little while left until boarding. Why did I agree to this?
A man approaches the terminal looking confused. I sit up in my seat, my heartbeat picking up. Do I know him? Did I take a random class with him at some point in my life?
Look at me, dude.
He checks his phone and then looks at the departure screen. After a quick glance at the seats, giving me a good look at his face, he turns to the desk.