Total pages in book: 23
Estimated words: 22106 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 111(@200wpm)___ 88(@250wpm)___ 74(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 22106 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 111(@200wpm)___ 88(@250wpm)___ 74(@300wpm)
She turns her back to me, tugging a shirt over her head and down her body. As she pulls on a pair of jeans, she mutters, “Thanks for the spa day. And the gift.”
She’s dismissing me. I try not to take it personally as I walk to the door. “We’re having a party tonight.”
She’s holding the present I gave her in her hands. She hasn’t opened it, and I was hoping to see her face when she did, but she doesn’t seem to be in any hurry. “What’s the party for?”
I open the door and lean against it. “Your birthday.”
She lifts her chin. “I don’t want to go into town.”
I nod. “It’s here. I thought you could have a good time and let loose, knowing that you’re surrounded by family.”
She grimaces, and I know she’s upset. It’s like I can’t say anything right when it comes to her. I’m about to walk out of her room, but I stop. “Do you want to talk about last night?”
She shakes her head side to side. “No.”
I suck in a deep breath and let it out. “Okay. Well, I’ll see you soon.”
I turn on my heel and walk out. It’s either that or I’m going to say something I can’t take back. Something like begging her to be with me.
CHAPTER 9
ALICE
As soon as Greyson walks out, I sit on the bed, holding the gift in my hand. Slowly, I take off the big pink bow. I remove the lid, and there’s a note with another box inside. I open the note and read it. “Because you’ll always be my princess.”
I gasp and read the note again. I take out the box and slowly open it. My mouth falls open as I stare at the gold chain with a princess crown charm. There are diamonds in the crown, and I gasp as I look at the precious gift Greyson has given me.
I run my finger across the charm. This is not just a regular gift. This is a gift that means something.
I stand up and move over to the mirror. I unclasp the necklace and put it around my neck. I touch the charm, looking at it in the mirror. God, it’s so beautiful. And I acted like it was no big deal.
I look at myself in the mirror and then go into the bathroom to throw on some mascara and some lip gloss. I pull my hair from the bun on the top of my head, run a brush through it, and then grab my purse before making my way downstairs.
A few of the guys are sitting around, and they each get up and hug me, asking if I’m okay.
I look around for Greyson, but he’s nowhere to be found.
The girls are waiting for me, and as we make our way outside, I still don’t see Greyson.
Emily holds up her keys. “I’m driving.”
I get into the front seat, and Lexi climbs into the back.
As soon as we’re pulling out of the parking lot, Lexi leans up between the seats. “Okay, spill it. What’s going on?”
I know what she’s asking me, but I play dumb. I run my finger along the chain around my neck. “What’s going on with what?”
Lexi playfully smacks me while Emily is smiling ear to ear. “You know exactly what I’m talking about. Gunner! What’s going on with you and Gunner?”
I lean my head back on the seat. “Nothing. Absolutely nothing.”
Emily barks out a laugh. “You could have fooled me.” She points her thumb over her shoulder. “We literally just saw you all in your room. You were hugging, and if we’d been a few minutes later—”
I roll my eyes. “That wasn’t a hug. That was him thinking that one of the guys was walking in and they were going to see me in my bra. That’s all that was.”
Emily is driving, but she playfully acts like she’s looking at her nails. “Uh, do you always hang out with your friends in only a bra?”
My face heats. There’s no way I’m telling them about last night. Hell, I stripped down naked in front of him. Practically begging for him to look at me. “Look, he doesn’t want me. I’ve come to terms with that fact, so—”
Emily stops at a stoplight and takes the free second to look over at me. “You really believe that, don’t you? You seriously think that man is not gaga over you?”
I roll my eyes. “First of all, who says gaga? Second of all, he is not into me.”
Lexi stutters, “But… but… he’s so protective of you.”
I close my eyes. “Yeah, he is, but he’s like that because I’m like part of the family… that’s all.”
They both laugh, and Lexi is the first one to stop. “Honey, I don’t know how to break it to you, but I will. That man is crazy for you, and it’s way more than just being protective.”