Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 93699 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 468(@200wpm)___ 375(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93699 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 468(@200wpm)___ 375(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
“Speaking of which, he’s still waiting on you to agree to be his best man, so that we can solidify our wedding.”
“He can keep waiting.”
“I could’ve sworn you were okay with our relationship now.”
“No, I tolerate it now.” I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. “Big difference.”
As if on cue, Hayden walked into the room and headed over to us.
“I thought we weren’t inviting your brother.” He kissed Penelope’s forehead. “We agreed it was a waste of an invitation.”
“No, we changed our minds once we figured he might be having a severe case of ‘The Sads,’ remember?” Penelope faked a frown. “I took extra sympathy on him since the entire city of Vegas hates him.”
“Plenty of people in this city hate him, too,” he said. “He’s also an international pariah, last time I checked.”
“You two are really pushing it.” I looked between them. “Did you coordinate your matching blue dress and suit today or is that a coincidence?”
“A coincidence,” they spoke in unison. Then they kissed as if I wasn’t standing right in front of them.
I still need time to get used to this.
“I’ll be back to catch up with you in a minute.” Hayden shared our secret handshake before walking away.
“Allow me to give you a tour.” Penelope looped her arm in mine.
She escorted me through multiple ballet studios, two cafes, smaller practice rinks, and a vast museum-like room that was a tribute to her and our mother’s careers.
I suddenly stilled at the sight of the massive framed canvas ahead of us.
The picture inside featured Penelope standing atop a podium with Tatiana Brave at her side. While Penelope held up their shared trophy, Tatiana clasped a massive bouquet of red roses.
Looking sexy as ever in a glimmering grey dress, Tatiana was smiling like it was the happiest day of her life.
I blinked a few times and realized that this entire hallway was filled with framed pictures of Tatiana. It was a tribute of some sort, and there were golden words etched onto the walls.
Tatiana Brave: World Champion, Rival, Best Friend
With every step forward, every glimpse of her gorgeous face, my chest ached.
Shit.
Over the past year or so, I’d made it a point to avoid coming to this city as much as possible. The moment Penelope left me an “Oh my god! You’ll never believe who my new roommate is!” voicemail, New York City became persona non grata for me.
On the rare occasion that I did visit, or in the moments when I met Penelope in some other city, if Tatiana was around, she never let on that we knew each other.
She treated me as if we’d never met.
Her acting skills were impeccable, and even though seeing her still hurt like hell, I had no problem playing a supporting role.
“You remember all my old times with Tatiana, right?”
“Yes.” I clenched my jaw. “Those times are rather hard to forget.”
“I’m so happy we found each other after all these years and buried the hatchet.” She smiled. “Aren’t you?”
“I’m still wondering how the hell that happened.” I crossed my arms. “She’s no longer your roommate, correct?”
“Unfortunately,” she said. “I offered her a guest wing at me and Hayden’s place when I moved out, but she’s stubborn like me. She insists on making her own way in life.”
“Of course she does.” I stared at her picture again.
“Can you grab the crate of welcome buttons from my trunk before you sneak out early?” Penelope handed me a set of car keys.
“What makes you think I’m not staying for the entire event?”
“Because I know you.” She kissed my cheek. “You always slip out after the first hour. There’s always something far more important that you need to do.”
“More like someone I need to avoid.”
“Huh?”
“I’m staying for two hours.” I looked at my watch. “Is that enough time for cake?”
“More than enough, but you might miss the ‘Rivals to Friends’ speech from me and Tatiana.”
“I’ll write you a raincheck.” I walked away before she could say anything else. Before my mind could take an unnecessary trip down memory lane.
TWO
PRESENT DAY
TATIANA
Manhattan, New York
Oh my god. I hate my life…
“Try to extend your leg a bit higher at the end, Myra!” I shouted as my client struggled in the ballet studio. “You have to nail the landing in here before we hit the ice.”
The thirteen-year-old groaned, but she corrected her pose and completed a perfect double lutz.
“Okay, great.” I paused the music. “Let’s do it a few more times.”
“Ugh, let’s not.” She picked up her cell phone. “I’ve been here for an hour already. That’s more than enough for the day.”
“Myra—” I held back a sigh. “I used to practice for a minimum of four hours, and that was only the ballet. That didn’t include—”
“This isn’t the old days, okay?” She snapped. “Things have changed, and I’ve won first place in three competitions this year.”