Page 67 of By His Vow

“Wonderful, thank you. Why is my best friend standing in front of me ready for a spa day?” I demand.

“Because I’ve booked you both in for all the works. Thought you’d need the relaxation after last night.”

I roll my eyes at him and when I look up, I swear that Lori is swooning.

I frown at her.

She’s smarter than this.

“Why?”

“Why not? You’re there. The spa is there. Did you have any other plans for today?”

No. “Maybe.”

“Well, if you did, cancel them. I promise you’ll have a better day with what I have organized.”

“You wanna bet?” I mutter under my breath.

“Make the most of it. The salon is expecting you as well. You’ll be ready for next Friday’s gala.”

“Gala?” I parrot.

“Have you not looked at the diary I shared with you this morning?”

The red haze of anger begins to descend again.

“No, Kingston. I have not looked at your diary.”

“It’s not mine. It’s ours, baby.”

My teeth grind.

We have a joint diary. Of fucking course we do.

“What if I’m busy?”

“You’re not. I’m expected to attend, and in turn, so are you. It’s the perfect night to confirm what everyone will already know by then.”

My hand begins to tremble as I picture him making a spectacle of our relationship in the middle of some swanky gala with all of Chicago’s elite watching.

My stomach knots.

I might have grown up attending these kinds of events, but I have never, ever wanted to be front and center.

Before me, Lori lifts her left hand and wiggles her ring finger.

Oh my god, no.

“I’ll check my schedule.”

Kingston chuckles as if he knows more than I do.

To be fair, he probably does. Nothing about this situation has been a surprise to him.

For all I know, every single minute of my life from the second I signed that document yesterday has already been mapped out.

I’ve probably got a wedding dress waiting for me somewhere with my name on it.

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