My phone alarm blared through the silent apartment, and I cursed under my breath. I didn’t want to stop. I was in my ultimate happy place, where my mind was blissfully clear of worries and responsibility, and I didn’t wantto leave, not even for book club at Kylie’s apartment. Or maybe especially not for book club.
Usually it was the highlight of my month, but honestly I was sort of dreading it tonight.
I glanced down at the ring on my left hand. I was getting married in a week, and I had no idea how to tell my friends. Who fake married their ex-boyfriend whom they might have been in love with and who demolished their heart when he left without an explanation?
My phone pinged just as I was pulling up my Uber app.
Hayden
What are you doing tonight?
Me
Book club at Kylie’s.
How are you getting there?
I’m taking an Uber.
Can you do me a favor?
Depends on what it is.
Give me five minutes to get there.
I don’t need you to come pick me up.
I know, but I’m doing it anyway.
I thought billionaires were supposed to be busy people.
I’m not a billionaire yet. Meet me outside your front door.
Don’t make me regret this.
No promises.
I hated the way little butterflies stirred in my stomach as I read his words. Hayden had always managed to make me feel a strange sort of giddiness. Like life was more exciting when he was in it. And that feeling was dangerous. Because I knew exactly how addictive it was. And I also knew I couldn’t keep him. This relationship had an expiration date.
I twisted the engagement ring Hayden had given me four days ago around my finger as I waited for him to come pick me up. It was the size of the freaking moon, and there was no way my friends would miss it.
Would it be so bad if I just took it off and postponed this whole conversation for a few more days?
It was the coward’s route, but I slipped the ring off my finger and tucked it into my bra where I could feel it pressing against my chest. There was no way I was going to risk putting it anywhere I could lose it.
Minutes later, a silver Audi pulled to a stop right in front of me. The back door opened and Hayden climbed out.
“Where’s your coat?”
I glanced down at the light dress I was wearing. The cold didn’t bother me, and I tended to forget humans didn’t wear short sleeves outside in the winter without a bulky coat covering their clothes. “I guess I forgot to grab one.”
“How did you forget a coat in January?” he growled at me.
I glared at him. “Is this what our marriage is going to be like? Because I draw the line at being told what to wear.”
He ran a hand through his hair like I was the one being difficult. “I’m not trying to control you. I just want you to be safe.”
“Said every dictator ever.”
