Total pages in book: 118
Estimated words: 119184 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 596(@200wpm)___ 477(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119184 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 596(@200wpm)___ 477(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
“Here.” That’s all she says. One word before the ring I gave her, symbolizing this farce, gets mashed into my palm.
I’m a dead man walking.
With my dignity in tatters, I clench my fist around that lying metal and turn my back on the prettiest little liar I’ll ever know, marching back to my vehicle.
Her total silence devours me one last time in an eternity condensed into seconds.
XXI
Cardinal Blues
(Lena)
I wish I could pinpoint the moment when life became so brutal that I can’t even appreciate the loveliest turquoise blue water I’ve ever seen.
Even Lake Tahoe’s beauty can’t fill the crater in my chest. It feels like I’ve been ripped apart with a meat hook, and I’m left with only threads holding me together.
One second, I’m staring out across the unbelievable water, the distant trees visible on the shoreline.
The next, I have to blink through my vision blurring. I see Brady’s face for the thousandth time, angry and hurt because he knows I lied point-blank.
What a pathetic ending.
I might as well have given him George Costanza’s infamous “It’s not you, it’s me” speech.
I should’ve known he’d see through it, but I had to wing it when he showed up in my driveway, determined to talk sense.
The worst part is, it wasn’t enough.
I have a rotten feeling he’s still trying to piece together the missing bits I wouldn’t give him.
I just hope he stays away from provoking Harry, at least. There’s nothing left to fight over now that I’ve basically surrendered.
I blink again.
This time, when I open my eyes, there’s a huge smiling face staring down at me, pinched with laughter and concern.
Elle watches me through her blond hair hanging over the sides of her face like curtains.
“What is it?” I ask weakly, glancing around and wondering how much of the day I’ve wasted in this chair with a romance thriller on my lap.
I didn’t know I could feel like I’ve aged twenty years in one week.
My bestie blinks, looking like she’s about to say something. Probably something true and to the point and dusted with optimism like powdered sugar.
That’s the Elle I’ve known and loved since we were kids.
But she just shakes her head, a small frown pulling her lips down.
“Not another headache?” I ask, sitting up. My turn to be concerned, knowing she’s prone to migraines from hell.
Actually, that’s how she met her superhusband, August. Husband.
God, it’s still weird to think of her married, especially to him. Even weirder to see them so happy together after they slogged a hundred miles through the biggest drama in Seattle that didn’t involve a Pruitt.
That’s Elle’s luck, though. Marrying the first hot billionaire beast she ever fainted on.
“Nope, they’re pretty rare these days, thankfully. I just wondered if you still wanted to take the boat out today? There’s time.” Her wary smile gives me the impression it’s not the first time she’s asked.
“The boat,” I repeat absently.
It’s official. Heartbreak has made me an idiot.
“Don’t worry! I won’t be driving. It’s way too big.” She grins mischievously.
“Well yeah, I don’t want to drown.”
She giggles.
Although sinking in a lake this heavenly doesn’t feel like the worst end to the Lena Joly story. It would give Brady a convenient out without any breakup bombshells, wouldn’t it?
Could I fake my death and start over at a clinic in Thailand?
I’m being ridiculous, I know.
Elle knows, too, because she snaps her fingers in front of my face.
“Hello, Lena? Is anything getting through?”
“Half of it. But sure, let’s go out for a boat ride. I’ve been wanting to see your latest toy, anyway.”
“Technically, it’s Gruffykins’s toy. But he’s said I can take it out anytime I like as long as the captain’s on hand.”
“Aren’t you guys married?” I squint up at her. “What’s his is yours, right?”
“And what’s mine is mine.” She grins and beckons to the door leading back inside from her expansive patio. “Also, I’m so pumped you agreed, because I already had the captain on standby this evening.”
The captain? Holy hell.
There are times when I forget just how rich my once-starving-artist friend is.
Fresh air will do me good, though.
I just got here yesterday, and so far I’ve spent my entire time in three large rooms, moping around like a soggy kitten.
Three gorgeous rooms, in Elle’s defense. And mine.
It’s not like being here has been a hardship.
Except for the fact that every single room screams Brady Pruitt.
I don’t know why. It doesn’t make sense, because this place is a world away from his expensive penthouse lording over an urban kingdom.
Here, it’s an ultramodern, beautifully decorated lake house suitable for a billionaire power couple. Every room has soaring bookcases and furniture so comfortable I wonder if I’m dreaming.
The place doesn’t need a library since that’s basically the entire house.
More books than I can count in every room, shelves bursting with the oversize illustration and art tomes you’d expect from a talent who keeps tearing up the world of kids’ storybooks. Elle’s library is probably worth more than my life savings.