Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 100713 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 504(@200wpm)___ 403(@250wpm)___ 336(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100713 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 504(@200wpm)___ 403(@250wpm)___ 336(@300wpm)
“It was perfect,” Blair sighed. “I wish I could do it all over again.”
“Then there was my wedding,” said Bianca, making them all laugh.
“Beck was telling me a little about it last night,” I said. “Definitely not a conventional love story, but still incredibly romantic.”
“It was.” Cheyenne reached over and patted Bianca’s hand. “I don’t care what you say, B, everyone in that courtroom could see you two were meant for each other.”
“Anyway,” Bianca said, blushing a little, “we did things a bit out of order, but it worked for us. I’m not sure we’d ever have ended up together any other way.”
“And Cheyenne is up next!” Blair clapped her hands.
Cheyenne squeezed her eyes shut and groaned. “God, as much as I want to marry that man, I’m so nervous that I’m forgetting something. Planning a wedding in three months is not easy.”
“We have been over this a thousand times.” Blair spoke soothingly to her friend. “Everything is in place. It’s going to be perfect.”
“Everything is in place,” Cheyenne repeated like a mantra, her eyes still closed. “It’s going to be perfect.” Then she opened them and looked at me. “Oh Maddie, you have to come!”
I smiled at her, imagining what a beautiful bride she’d make. It was also a pleasure to feel so included in their tight little group. “It’s next weekend?”
“Two weeks from tonight.” She giggled. “And Beckett needs a date.”
I laughed nervously. “Well, I’d love to come, although I’m not sure I’d be Beckett’s first choice for a date.”
“Why not?” Blair asked, as Bianca and Cheyenne exchanged an oh brother look. “From what I hear, Beckett’s always been crazy about you.”
“I don’t think that’s true.” I picked up my wine glass, which was already empty and tipped it up, hoping for a few drops.
“Um, yeah. It is.” Bianca laughed, tucking her red hair behind her ears. “It’s common knowledge among the guys that Beckett has been pining for you since high school. We’ve all heard the prom story.”
“He kicked that guy’s ass,” said Cheyenne.
“Hard,” added Blair.
My cheeks were growing warm. “That’s because Beckett is a good guy. He did it to defend me.”
“Beckett is a good guy,” allowed Bianca, “but he did it because he liked you.”
“Anyone else for round two?” I asked, looking around for our server.
“Definitely.” Blair waved him down. “And then we’re going to talk more about this Beckett thing.”
“There’s no thing,” I insisted, fiddling with the end of one braid again. “There’s never been a thing.”
“Why not?” Blair pressed.
“Because we’ve always been just friends.”
“You’ve never been attracted to him?”
I bit my lip, then decided to admit the truth. “I’ve always been attracted to him.”
“So then why—”
“It’s hard to explain,” I went on. “All I can say is that I never let myself admit it.”
“Enzo said you dated a lot of jerks back then.” Bianca looked like she felt bad for saying it. “Was he wrong? Like, were they actually misunderstood bad boys with hearts of gold?”
“Um, no.” I cringed, a twisted smile on my lips. “They were actually jerks. I’ve got a knack for picking them.”
The server approached, and Blair put her hands up. “Okay, hold—let’s come right back to this Beckett thing.”
“There’s no thing,” I repeated weakly.
Bianca pushed her glasses up her nose. “Maddie, I saw you guys together yesterday, and the first thing I said to Enzo when we got in the car was, ‘Beckett is still nuts about her.’ And he said, ‘Yep.’” She laughed. “It’s the way he looks at you, Maddie. You can just tell.”
Her words had my heart stumbling over its next few beats.
Was she right?
Seven
Maddie
We each ordered another round, and while we were waiting for it, I quickly used the bathroom. Back at the table, I picked up my second glass of wine and took a sip.
“Okay,” said Blair. “Let’s keep talking. I’m super curious why you think Beckett has never been interested in you, yet his three best friends—who’ve known him since childhood—all think otherwise.”
“Because he never said anything about it.”
Bianca kept pushing. “Okay, but guys don’t always use their words. You’re saying he’s never given you the slightest indication he had feelings for you?”
I hesitated, dropping my eyes to the table.
“He has!” Cheyenne’s eyes popped. “Tell us!”
“This is so dumb, you guys,” I said, my face growing hot. “It was so long ago. It meant nothing.”
“We will be the judges of that,” Blair said.
Bianca patted my hand. “We’re very good at judging things.”
“Okay.” I took a breath. “A million years ago, when we were seniors in high school, Beckett kissed me. Like, out of nowhere, grabbed me and kissed me.”
Cheyenne gasped. “Really?”
“Yes.” For a moment, I was standing underneath that maple tree again, shocked to feel Beckett’s warm, firm lips on mine. Chills swept down my arms.
“What kind of kiss?” asked Blair. “Like a sweet, friendly kiss?”