Page 71 of Broken Hearts

His words, honest and heartfelt, bring a smile to my face. “I’d like to see it,” I admit, feeling a flutter of excitement at the prospect.

His smile broadens. “Tonight, then, I’ll show you the ring. I have to go to the team meeting,” he says as we get in his car.

“I’m sure the girls are dying to know about the ‘Mrs. Westbrook’ bombshell.”

He throws me a guilty smile. “I didn’t see them.”

Narrowing my eyes suspiciously, I know for a fact it wouldn’t have stopped him, and his confirming grin makes me laugh.

After he stops in front of my building, he gives me a quick, tender kiss on the forehead before he heads off for his team meeting. “We’ll talk more tonight,” he promises, his eyes lingering on me for a moment longer than necessary.

Left alone, I head back to my apartment, my mind a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. As soon as I step through the door, I’m ambushed by Poppy and Nessa, their faces expressing excitement, curiosity, and concern.

“Okay, spill! We want to know everything!” Poppy exclaims, her eyes wide with anticipation.

I let out a weary laugh. “Where do I start? It’s all so… surreal.”

Nessa, ever the direct one, doesn’t bother with preamble. “It’s because of his dick, isn’t it? He used his hips to hypnotize you.”

Snorting, I flop onto the couch. “I know it’s beyond crazy. I’m married. Married before I’m twenty.” I wince. “I am not sure if it’s the best decision or the worst mistake.” But every decision relating to Cole feels that way, and it has been the case since the beginning.

Poppy sits next to me, her expression thoughtful. “It works sometimes, you know.”

I raise an eyebrow skeptically. “When? When does it work?” I’m genuinely curious, desperate for any reassurance that this might not be the colossal mistake it feels like.

Nessa’s eyes light up with mischief, and I can tell she’s about to reference her favorite vampire film. But before she can start, I cut her off. “And don’t even start with that vampire film,” I warn, earning a playful pout from her.

She huffs. “You’re no fun.”

“Seriously, Eva, out of all the crazy things in our group, this takes the cake,” Poppy says, shaking her head but smiling.

Nessa grins, “I would not bet on that, but did you at least get a crazy Vegas story out of it? Like, did Elvis marry you?”

I laugh, the absurdity of it all hitting me. “No, no Elvis. Just a regular chapel with a not-so-regular decision.”

“Girl, you’ve got to give us more than that. We live vicariously through your drama since Ethan and I are in the boring couple phase,” Poppy teases, nudging my shoulder.

I lean into the couch. “It was impulsive, insane, and utterly… us. I mean, who else but Cole would marry someone in Vegas and not tell them?”

Nessa rolls her eyes dramatically. “Classic Cole. And you, falling for his hip game,” she adds, before bursting into laughter.

“I’m a victim of the hip game,” I admit, joining in the laughter. “But it’s more than that. Despite everything, there’s something… real between us. It’s hard to explain.”

“That’s it?” Nessa sighs. “Meh, you were always supposed to be endgame, anyway. The timing is surprising, but the conclusion? Not so much.”

Cole is right. The alcohol may have lowered my inhibition, but deep down, I always wanted to be his, and the champagne took the fear away.

I bite my lip, thinking. “It’s a trial period. Six months. If it doesn’t work, we part ways. No drama.”

Nessa raises an eyebrow, skepticism clear on her face. “Six months? With Cole? That’s like a lifetime in drama years.”

I chuckle. “True, but who knows? Maybe we’ll surprise everyone.”

“Or end up on a reality TV show,” Poppy adds with a wink.

We laugh, the tension easing a bit more. It’s comforting being with them, able to joke about the craziness of my life.

Nessa suddenly brightens, her hands moving excitedly. “Wait, does this mean we get to plan a wedding?”

---