Total pages in book: 160
Estimated words: 164263 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 821(@200wpm)___ 657(@250wpm)___ 548(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 164263 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 821(@200wpm)___ 657(@250wpm)___ 548(@300wpm)
I pull Edward’s hand to make him wait for Thomas. “Wait,” I whisper. Edward subtly rolls his eyes. Thomas fills out the paperwork, hands his phone over, shows his license and then catches up with us.
“Why did you do that?” I ask.
“Because I’m not being the only fucker in a party with a phone.”
“Why not?”
“Because if something gets leaked I don’t want to be blamed.”
“Ah, smart.”
“Come.” Edward pulls me forward. “Are you my date or his?”
“So hostile,” Thomas mouths behind his back and I get the giggles.
As we walk through the private courtyard and around the large circular water feature, people stop mid-conversation to watch us.
All eyes on me.
The mystery woman with Edward Prescott.
I have never been so grateful to have a friend by my side, if I had to do this alone I would already be hiding in the bathroom.
Fairy lights twinkle in the trees above us, and waiters are carrying silver trays of cocktails up on their shoulders.
Jeez….
“Are there fish in there?” Thomas squints into the water feature. “Yes, there are. Giant fucking fish.”
“You might be swimming with them by the end of the night,” Edward mutters matter-of-factly.
I giggle and we walk up the split stone staircase that leads into the house, even the handrail is carved from stone. Once inside, my eyes widen.
“Fucking hell,” Thomas whispers as he looks through wide eyes too. “This is….”
Wall-to-wall marble, giant archways and painted ornate ceilings that would give the Sistine Chapel a run for its money.
Glamorous beautiful people, with waiters and staff everywhere catering to their every need.
Edward looks over the crowd, not even noticing the splendor. “This way.” He leads us through the people and as the crowd dissipates I see Prince Theodore standing in the corner with another man.
My stomach flutters with nerves.
“Hello.” Edward smiles as we approach and they shake hands, happy to see each other, before he turns to me. “You remember my Alora.”
My Alora.
“Alora, you met Theodore Chapelle and Sinclair Montague at your store that night, two of my best friends in the world.”
“Hello.” I smile nervously.
“Hello, Alora, good to see you again.” They both smile warmly and kiss my cheek. Their eyes linger on my face as if memorizing every freckle.
“This is Thomas,” Edward says as if an afterthought. “He’s Alora’s cousin.”
“Hello.” They smile as they shake his hand.
“Nice to meet you.” Thomas smiles, I can tell that he’s a little nervous too.
Theodore lifts his hand and a waitress immediately appears from nowhere. “What would you like to drink, Alora?” he asks me.
Tequila…. All of it.
“I’ll have….” I glance around at what other people are drinking.
“She’d like a top-shelf margarita.” Edward slides his hand around my waist and pulls me close.
“That would be amazing, thank you.” I smile, embarrassed. I turn to ask Thomas what he would like but he’s gone. “Where did he go?” I whisper to Edward.
“Who fucking cares,” he whispers back.
“Prescott,” a man says from the side, and Edward turns and laughs as he shakes his hand.
“So.” Theodore comes to stand beside me. “You are responsible for our friend missing of late.”
“Haha.” I smile shyly. “That’s on him, don’t blame me.”
Theodore smiles warmly. “I’ve never seen him so happy.”
“I’m very happy too.” I beam, jeez this man is hot as hell. Sandy brown hair and big brown eyes, tall and well built, he has the whole Theo James vibe going on, which is ironic because his name is Theo too.
Say something…. And quick.
“Thank you for having us, your house is incredible.” I smile, that was lame but anyway, at least I said something.
His eyes float around the room as if trying to see it through my eyes. “It is. A little big if I’m being honest. That’s the problem when you inherit things, you don’t get to choose.” He widens his eyes with a cheeky smile.
Oh…he’s nice. Not at all what I imagined.
A group of girls are talking to Sinclair and then they include Theodore, my eyes wander over to them, all gorgeous and talking and laughing. Not a visible nerve in sight. My mind wonders if these are the kind of women Edward usually dates.
Beautiful and confident.
“Your margarita.” The waiter passes me a cocktail.
“Keep them coming, please,” Edward asks him.
“Yes, sir.”
I casually look around in hope to spot Thomas.
“He’s over by the bar,” Edward tells me.
“Oh.” I stand still, not wanting to move.
“Go on, then.” Edward sighs. “You have ten minutes.”
I smile and kiss his cheek. “See you soon.” I turn and head toward the bar, I need to dissect this party with someone stat.
EDWARD
Jerome, Theo’s bodyguard, appears through the crowd and whispers something to him, Theo’s eyes rise to meet mine.
I lean closer. “What?”
“There’s a disturbance at the front gate, sir,” Jerome replies.
“What kind of disturbance?”
“Miss Auclair was refused entry and is demanding to see you, Mr. Prescott.”
Isadora.
My eyes meet Theo’s.