Page 208 of By His Vow

“If I would have pictured your bachelorette party, this wouldn’t have been what I had in mind,” Lori says as she sips on her pornstar martini while relaxing back in a lounger with the sound of running water and soft music in the background.

“No, me neither.” But even as I say the words, the thought of being out in a hot and sweaty club right now doesn’t appeal.

This night might not be what we would have planned, but I can’t help but feel like it’s perfect.

Things since Kingston released those photographs to the press have been crazy.

The thought of going out and having the press follow me around, wanting to capture my every movement, doesn’t fill me with the warm and fuzzies.

The reality is that being enclosed within the safety of the Broadway Hotel, with the paparazzi restricted to the outside, is what I need.

“We should sneak out,” Lori whispers as if someone is listening to us.

I chuckle, assuming she’s joking.

“You packed a sexy dress, right?”

“You’re being serious,” I state.

“Of course I am. It’s the night before your wedding; you deserve to have an epic night.”

“Umm, I am,” I say, lifting my cocktail to my lips and taking a sip.

Jackie, Kingston’s stepmom, came down for an hour and had her nails done. My mom was meant to join us, but I’m pretty sure she’s hit the minibar in her room and is probably already asleep. Kingston asked if I wanted to have anyone else here. But honestly, I don’t.

I’ve never had a huge circle of friends. But right now, I need people I trust completely around me. We’re already lying to enough people about this wedding. I don’t need to turn it into an even bigger show than it already is.

“Hanging out with your soon-to-be mother-in-law while in a basement spa doesn’t really cut it, Tate.”

“Well, when you get married, we can do whatever your heart desires to make up for it. The only place I’m going tonight other than right here is to bed.”

She stares at me in disbelief.

“You’re not joking, are you?” she asks hesitantly.

“No. My face has been all over the media for the last two weeks. I really don’t need to add more. I also don’t want to be hungover tomorrow.”

“But—”

“There are no buts here, Lor. This is how it’s going to be.”

“Fair enough,” she says, draining her glass and placing it on the side. “We do need more drinks, though.”

She presses the button on the little remote control we were provided with earlier to call a server before sitting back on her lounger.

“I’ve had worse Friday nights,” she finally confesses before lifting her cell and opening up Instagram.

Laughing, I reach for my own cell and lose myself in some mindless scrolling.

“You seen them?” she asks, leaning over to show me a photo.

My eyes immediately lock on my soon-to-be husband’s smiling face. My heart rate picks up and my temperature spikes.

It is not the reaction I should be having to the man I’m only marrying because of a business deal. But it’s the one I have all the same.

She swipes to the next image and I find Miles and Kieran with him, all three with tequila shots lined up before them.

“On three,” Kieran says, winking at the camera, which I assume Kian is holding, seeing as he’s missing from the line-up. “Three,” Kieran suddenly barks before licking the salt from the back of his hand.

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