“Ebs, if this were any other time, I wouldn’t even entertain this fool. But it’s Donovan’s brother, and he wants him here—please, just give him two minutes so we can get back to my engagement party…” She trails off, guilt-tripping me with zero shame. “You know, the reason we’re all here tonight to celebrate.”
Then she steps back slightly, her face full of hope, yet giving me the space I need to make my decision. God, she looks so much like Hillary. Same petite, honey-toned skin, dark hair, and striking features.
There’s a clear difference between the Winston sisters, though. Hillary’s a loose cannon, a goal getter, while Hailey’s empathetic, kindhearted, always thinking of others.
It makes me listen a little more closely.
The divas shoot me “say the word and I’ll still throw hands right now” looks. When I glance back at Hailey, her expression is so raw and vulnerable.
I shake my head and let out a sigh.
“Fine.” I step around my gorgeous shields, folding my arms across my chest, an impatient edge to my voice as I peer up at Julian. “Say whatever you’ve got to say.”
“Thank you.” He smiles, softly, all sparkly eyes and gleaming white teeth as he drags in a sharp breath. “Can we talk alone—”
We all shout in unison, “No!”
He chuckles sheepishly, then shifts nervously on his feet. “Okay, sorry, I had to try. I just… All I want to say is, please, let metryto win you back. I know I messed up, but I’m asking for a chance to make it right. I’m not asking for forgiveness yet, just time to show you I can be better, that I can be the person you fell in love with.Please, just give me this one shot.” He swallows hard. “I swear, it was just the one time—”
A collective gasp falls over us.
Ta-da!
Wow, how lucky am I that he swears it was just the once? My heart is an angry mob of ventricles and nodes, contracting so fast, I feel like I might short-circuit.
“Are you serious right now?”
“Baby, I’m not with Nora anymore,” he says with the full weight of his chest, as if it makes a lick of difference to me. “That’s why she isn’t here. I ended it. To be with you. I love you, Ebony Grace Livingston.”
Fury flares in my gut, burning hotter with every passing second. How is this man love-bombing me like he valued anything we shared? The gaslighting is embarrassing. Does he really expect me to believe he’s made this huge change? The sheer audacity eats at me, twisting my insides with the absurdity of it all. Even if I was stupid enough to believe him, it’s exhausting and pointless. Once was all it ever needed to be.
“I don’t want you back, Julian.”
It’s all I say.
If I had the good sense the Lord gave me, I’d congratulate Hailey and Donovan, down a glass of champagne, and be halfway to my divorce-decreed Lexus, burning rubber all the way to my waterfront townhouse (also decreed). I’d crash into bed and sleep like a baby knowing I’d faced at least one of my demons.
But apparently, I’m running on empty when it comes to common sense, because here I am—back in the “private room,” standing against the wall, wineglass nowhere in sight to help me drown out my ex-husband’s weak pleas for a second chance in my ear. No, because that would require logic, and as we’ve established, logic has left the building.
Beside me, Julian attempts to hold my hand, and I pull it out of reach.
“I won’t give up,” he whispers.
“Mm-hmm.” I smile ahead, doing my best to look casual as I elbow him. Through gritted teeth, I urge him, “Please, give up and go sit down.”
Donovan’s chair screeches as he stands, grabs Hailey’s hand, and turns to the table.
“I never thought I’d be standing here today, celebrating with you all, but here we are,” he says. Hailey beams that infectious grin, going on about how incredibly lucky she is to have found someone who makes her laugh, supports her, and loves her. Then they toast to their engagement.
The room erupts with cheers and whistles.
“I’m about to marry the man of my dreams, and there’s nothing more perfect than a fairytale wedding,” Hailey gushes, her bright brown eyes locked on me. “One that only Ebony Grace can bring to life.”
“Hear, hear!” Julian says, loudly drawing everyone’s attention. “You’re so fortunate to have found your perfect match.” He takes a slow breath, his gaze flickering between Hailey and me. “Some people spend years figuring out what that really looks like. Others don’t realize it until it’s too late…”
His eyes briefly meet mine, the weight of his words hanging in the air.
What the hell?
