Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 73225 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 366(@200wpm)___ 293(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73225 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 366(@200wpm)___ 293(@250wpm)___ 244(@300wpm)
I close my eyes, remembering the way it felt when his lips brushed against mine. How every cell in my body buzzed with excitement and shock. And Asher… ahhh. He was so nervous after the kiss, his mouth spewing military jargon. It was… cute. It was sexy. I wanted so much more.
This morning when I woke up, I could actually see him with the rays of the sun pouring into the windows like liquid gold cascading over a masterpiece, gilding every curve of his sleeping face. The thing that caught my attention first was the black ink covering strong muscles. Wow. He’s a work of art like a sculpture chiseled by thunder and designed by God himself. I wanted to trace my fingers over the lines of his tattoos, but he woke up before I could. So, I did what anybody would do in that position, I hightailed it to the bathroom to get ready for the day.
Now, I’m standing in the lobby of the resort, waiting on my bestie to show up. I don’t know how I’ll be able to explain the engagement to her. She’s not going to buy it that I’ve been secretly dating someone, but oh well… she’s going to have to.
The moment Melanie steps into the estate, the energy in the room shifts. She’s radiant as always, with her honey-blonde hair swept back in a chic ponytail and a designer bag dangling from her wrist like it weighs nothing. Her eyes scan the room, lighting up as soon as they land on me.
“Charlotte!” she squeals, rushing forward to pull me into a tight hug. “I’ve been texting you nonstop! Why didn’t you tell me you were engaged?”
Oh no. Here we go.
I manage a laugh as I hug her back. “It’s... been a whirlwind,” I say, trying to sound as casual as possible.
Melanie pulls back, holding me at arm’s length. “A whirlwind? Charlotte, you’re marrying a man I haven’t even met! What gives?”
Before I can formulate a response, her eyes flick past me, and her expression shifts into one of open admiration. “And who,” she says, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, “is that?”
I turn to follow her gaze, and of course, it’s Asher. He’s standing near the fireplace, deep in conversation with my father, his broad shoulders filling out his suit jacket like it was tailored specifically for him. Which, knowing my mother, it probably was.
“That,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady, “is Asher. My fiancé.”
Melanie’s jaw drops. “That’s Asher? The man you’re engaged to? Charlotte, why have you been keeping this gorgeous man a secret?”
“It’s complicated,” I mumble, wishing the floor would open up and swallow me whole.
“Complicated how?” she asks, her eyes narrowing. “You didn’t even tell me you were dating anyone, let alone engaged.”
I shrug, forcing a smile. “It just... happened so fast.”
“Fast?” Melanie’s gaze sharpens, and I can practically see the gears turning in her head. “Charlotte Lane, there is no way you just stumbled into an engagement with a man like that without a story.”
She’s relentless, but I’ve had enough practice deflecting in the past twenty-four hours to hold my ground. “Melanie, it’s been a crazy few months. Let’s just say, when you know, you know.”
Her eyes narrow further, but before she can press me, a member of the staff walks in to announce that dinner will be served in an hour. I grab Melanie’s arm and start steering her toward my room. “Come on. Let’s catch up while we get ready.”
Once we’re upstairs, Melanie flops onto the edge of the bed, her sharp gaze still locked on me. “You’re not off the hook, you know.”
I laugh, pulling a dress from the closet and holding it up. “I didn’t think I was.”
She watches me for a moment, her expression softening. “Okay, fine. I’ll give you a pass on the details—for now. But seriously, Charlotte, you’re engaged. You’re allowed to act happy about it.”
I glance at her, a pang of guilt tightening in my chest. Melanie’s my best friend, and keeping this from her feels wrong, even if it’s necessary. “I am happy,” I say, forcing another smile.
“Let’s start simple… what does he do?”
I smile. “Security. He also served time in the military, so he’s very good at what he does.” My mind returns to the kiss we shared last night, and it makes me wonder what else he’d be good at.
“He looks like he’s packing more muscles than any normal man has, that’s for sure.” She gives me a big smile.
“It’s overwhelming. The whole thing…” my words stop cold.
“Overwhelming,” she repeats, her tone skeptical. Then, as if a lightbulb goes off, she perks up. “Is it Wade? Is he making this harder for you?”
Her question catches me off guard, and I hesitate for a fraction of a second too long. “What makes you say that?”