Total pages in book: 16
Estimated words: 14980 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 75(@200wpm)___ 60(@250wpm)___ 50(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 14980 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 75(@200wpm)___ 60(@250wpm)___ 50(@300wpm)
Before he can say anything, Rayna starts rambling. Pride sweeps through me as she defends herself and us, standing up to her dad.
“We didn’t want to keep hiding it anymore. I love Rhett, Dad, and he treats me better than I ever imagined,” she rushes out, clearly nervous. “This isn’t just a fling or whatever you’re probably thinking. We’re really committed to each other. I want you to be happy for us and give us your blessing and all but, to be honest, Dad, even if you disapprove, it won’t change anything between Rhett and me. I’m his, he’s mine, and that’s that—”
“Woah, woah, woah,” Paul interrupts, trying to calm his daughter down. “Just take a breath, darling. I’m just shocked, that’s all. I’m not mad.”
“Oh,” Rayna breathes, relaxing a little. Relief sweeps through me at the fact Paul isn’t telling me to meet him outside or trying to stop me from seeing his daughter. Not that any of his efforts would work, but it would suck to lose my best friend.
“I mean, there’s nobody in the world I trust more than Rhett,” Paul continues, looking between us. “And, yes, this” —he gestures to my arms around Rayna— “is going to take some serious getting used to, but you have my support as long as you’re happy.”
“Really?” Rayna checks, her eyes wide and hope filling her voice.
“Really,” Paul promises, opening his arms to give his daughter a reassuring hug. He meets my gaze, holding my eyes as he says, “And I don’t think I need to tell you to make sure you never ever hurt my little girl, do I?”
I can’t help but chuckle at that. The idea of doing anything to hurt or upset Rayna is absolutely insane to me. “No, you don’t,” I agree, giving him a grateful smile.
Rayna steps away from her dad, and Paul pats me on the shoulder, showing us that he truly means what he said.
“Now, let’s get you a drink,” Paul declares, waving down the bartender.
Rayna sits with us, and the three of us drink and chat for hours, learning to settle into this new normal. I’ve never been happier, and the plans I have for our future are brighter than ever.
6
RAYNA
“You absolutely need that! It would look so freaking good on you!” Serena gushes, pulling a cute red crop top off the rack.
I laugh, her enthusiasm for shopping is truly contagious. “I thought we were done?” I tease her, earning myself a roll of her eyes.
“Last thing!” she promises. “It’s your twenty-fourth birthday. You deserve to be spoiled.”
I know Serena well enough to know there’s no point in arguing, so I let her buy me the top that, admittedly, will compliment my coloring really well, and add it to our giant pile of bags before we leave the mall. We’ve been out shopping all day and grabbing coffee and treats from the food court when we need a break, and it’s been the best way to spend my birthday with my best friend. I’m already trying to figure out how to add all these new editions to my half of Rhett’s and my shared wardrobe. Maybe it’s time to subtly move his clothes to a smaller section…
Serena plays our favorite artist’s newest album as she drives me home, and we sing at the top of our lungs, laughing our heads off when we can’t hit the high notes. She helps me carry the bags into the hallway of the house Rhett and I share, and then gives me a kiss on the cheek and says, “Have fun!”
Confused, I ask her what she means, but she’s already skipping out of my house and to her car, laughing to herself about whatever plans I’m clearly in the dark about. I wave her off and then realize that Rhett’s car is gone from the driveway.
“That’s weird,” I murmur to myself as I walk through the house, searching for my boyfriend even though it’s clear he’s not here. If he were, he’d have already carried all my shopping for me like the gentleman he is. We moved in together a month or so ago, and it’s been like living in a dream ever since. He truly treats me like a total princess, and I love him so much for it.
I reach the bedroom, and while I don’t find Rhett, I do find a surprise laid out for me on the bed. I squeal in excitement, rushing over to the new dress and shoes that have been laid out for me. Not only that, there’s a box of new makeup from my favorite brands, and I could cry over just how well this man knows me.
Truly, how did I get so lucky?
“Oh my God…” I whisper as I pick up the dress, loving the way it shimmers in the late afternoon sunlight streaming in through the windows. It’s a sky blue color, short enough to show off my legs without showing my ass, with thin straps and a scooped neckline. It’s beautiful and will go perfectly with the silver, red-bottomed heels he’s picked to go with it.