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)
Bianca made a face. “A job offer!”
“Yes. He offered me the position of caretaker for his father if I wanted to move back to Bellamy Creek.”
“That was his reason?” Cheyenne’s jaw fell open.
“Yes. And when I asked him if he saw this relationship going somewhere or he was just guaranteeing me gainful employment if I wanted to move back, his answer was, ‘That’s the only guarantee I can offer you.’”
“What?” Bianca shrieked, shaking her head. “Why would he say that?”
“Because he doesn’t believe two people can stay together forever, and he doesn’t want to make any promises he can’t keep.”
Blair’s brow furrowed. “How do you not believe in forever?”
“He doesn’t believe love lasts,” I clarified. “He doesn’t believe people stay to the end.”
Bianca nodded, her eyes sad. “His childhood taught him that. You have to feel bad for him, even though he’s being stubborn.”
“I’m sorry, Maddie,” said Cheyenne. “That had to be a really hard conversation.”
“It was pretty bad,” I admitted, my eyes tearing up. “There I was, basically prepared to tell him I’m falling in love with him and ready to hand over my heart, and there he was, saying he didn’t want it.”
“No. I don’t believe that.” Bianca shook her head. “I think he does want it, but he’s scared.”
“I asked him if I’d mistaken his feelings for something they’re not, and he looked me right in the eye and said yes.” The memory of it was like a punch in the stomach.
“Do you believe him?” Blair asked softly.
“What choice do I have?” I struggled to talk because my throat was so tight. “It’s over. I can’t be with him knowing that he doesn’t think there’s hope for us. After all this time, if I’m not enough to make him believe in forever, there’s nothing I can do. I have to let him go. But listen.” I forced myself to smile through tears. “I’m strong. I’ve been through some bad stuff and come out okay. And I look at you guys and see that the fairy tale is possible. Real love does exist.”
“It does,” Cheyenne said with misty eyes. “Don’t give up.”
Back at home, I made lunch for Mr. Weaver and Elliott and retreated to my bedroom for a nap. I assumed Beckett was still working outside since his bedroom door was open. I couldn’t even look inside since the sight of his bed would make me sad.
In my room, I lay on my bed and closed my eyes but couldn’t fall asleep. Finally, I gave up and decided to start packing. My plan was to leave first thing in the morning. If Elliott hadn’t had his heart set on an evening with Daisy, I might have even left tonight, although I did want to see Cole and Cheyenne get married.
It would be good to see two people promise each other forever and mean it.
Eventually, I opened the closet and took out my new blue dress. Holding it up by the hanger, I looked at it for a moment and remembered trying it on, the way I’d imagined dancing in Beckett’s arms. Now I couldn’t even imagine the conversation in the car on the way to the wedding, let alone dancing with him.
God, how had we managed to fuck up our friendship so badly in such a short amount of time? It had been the one thing I was afraid of—crossing the line and realizing too late it was a mistake. And now we had to spend the entire evening together.
Beckett would be silent and stoic as usual, I’d be fighting tears all night . . . For a moment, I considered feigning illness and backing out. Maybe I could just stay home with Elliott and Daisy. They could play with my makeup and—
Someone knocked on my door.
Laying the dress across the bed, I took a deep breath and pulled it open. It was Mallory.
“Oh, hi,” I said, surprised to see her. “You’re here already.”
“Daisy was chomping at the bit to get over here and see Elliott, so we came early.” Her expression was concerned. “Is everything okay, Maddie?”
“Yes,” I lied. “Why do you ask?”
“Because Beckett is downstairs stomping around like an angry bear, and when I asked what time you guys were leaving, he said he wasn’t sure you were still going.”
“Oh.” My eyes dropped to my bare toes on the carpet. Elliott’s attempt at a pedicure nearly made me smile—good thing my dress was long. “Yes, I’m still going.”
“Can I ask what happened? Did you two have an argument or something?” She folded her arms over her chest. “When I left on Sunday night, things looked pretty cozy between you.”
“They were.” Another deep breath.
“Then what’s going on? I know my brother, and he can be a big grump sometimes, but this is something else.”
“We, um . . .” I struggled with what to say. “We had a discussion last night about what happens when I leave. Let’s just say it didn’t go well.”