Total pages in book: 19
Estimated words: 17792 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 89(@200wpm)___ 71(@250wpm)___ 59(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 17792 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 89(@200wpm)___ 71(@250wpm)___ 59(@300wpm)
Taking a deep breath, I fluff my hair a bit, even though I've already used enough hairspray to suffocate and kill me.
When I finally emerge fully prepared, I do a small turn. "How do I look?"
River sets his phone down but doesn't answer immediately. He drops his phone to the bed and drags his eyes over me, from my bare feet to my mouth, then dropping to my chest. His throat works once, and that's enough to convince me I look good.
"River, is that good or bad?"
He tilts his head to the side, and that slow, dangerous smirk curves into place. "Baby, you look like you're about to make some people reconsider their life choices. You're about to reduce everyone else into a knockoff version of you."
Oh God. I'm keeping that.
The chapel is simple but elegant—white folding chairs, a driftwood arch, string lights already glowing in anticipation of dusk. Derek stands at the altar looking polished and precisely one inch taller than usual, which I recognize as his Italian leather wedding shoes.
He wears a suit with something glittering … wait, are those crystals along the stitches? God, he really wants to shine literally.
Alice arrives in organza and lace, her train carried by a small child. The dress shows off her curves, the shade complements her skin perfectly. She looks like she belongs at the end of this aisle with Derek waiting for her.
This observation comes with no particular emotion attached to it, which is perhaps the strangest part.
River's shoulder is warm against mine. The one I bit last night. I wonder if it still has some bite marks? He really turned me into an animal at the pool.
His hand covers mine on my thigh, and yes, it's a simple hand holding, but his hand is way too close to the junction between my thighs that my brain just goes … there.
The next hour is a blur of promises, smiles, and kissing of the bride.
When I received the invitation, there was a tiny part of me that was scared I hadn't actually moved on. That I'd take one look at Derek being happy with someone else and feel crushed.
That's so not the case.
I spent six months trying to be the right kind of person for Derek. Watching him choose Alice Allison—I think about the alliteration every time—I understand, maybe for the first time, that the problem was never that I wasn't the right kind of person. The problem was that I was trying to be the right kind of person for Derek, which is the single most avoidable mistake I have made in my adult life.
If there's anything I learned from these past forty-eight hours, it's that you should never force yourself to be someone you're not. The right person will like you for who you are—disgusting flaws and all.
The proof? River. I wasn't kidding when I said he's seen me at my worst. Bringing me tampons? Check. Tending to me when I thought I was dying from flu? Check. Bringing me to the hospital because of an infected toenail? Check.
River was there through all of that and still liked me, still chose me.
River drapes an arm behind my chair, and I scoot closer and lean against him.
If Derek and Alice truly love each other, then good for them. From the bottom of my heart, I don't care about them. Whatever it was between River and me has changed from fake to real.
Maybe, in a way, I can thank Derek and Alice for that. If not for the pressure to look like I really moved on, I wouldn't be here.
This is my life now. I'm okay with this.
The reception is held on the resort's main terrace, white lights strung overhead, the infinity pool gleaming just below us. The same pool where last night River's hands were—
"What are you thinking about?" River's voice is low in my ear. "You're smiling."
I nod toward the pool. "Just admiring the view."
"Ah. Yes. Beautiful. Lots of privacy, too."
I chuckle, and River cuts off the sound with a kiss that leaves me breathless. God, I cannot wait for this party to be over.
Priyanka and Alec stop us near the railing, and we know they're about to ask the deets. I squeeze River's hand. We got this. We've had practice. The story has smoothed out over the course of the weekend. The edges no longer catch.
"Nadine! And the famous husband. Good to see you both." Alec shakes River's hand enthusiastically. "Have to say, I was surprised to hear about marriage. Never even knew you were dating someone."
"Nadine likes her privacy," River says.
Priyanka waggles her eyebrows at me. "So, what? Vegas? How'd you do it?"
We've planned for this, but River answers before I can. "Small ceremony, just us and one witness. Nothing fancy. When you know, you know."
Alec bumps his elbow with River's. "How'd you two meet, anyway?"