Page 116 of Rinkmates

“At some point I realized I didn’t really love him. I just wanted his approval so badly because my own father was absent when I needed him the most. Eventually, Mom and I got Dad out of our lives, and that made me stronger. I knew I could help myself, and I was planning to leave Sandy after Beijing. I just needed that gold first and that’s what I focused on.”

There’s a pause and she sighs deeply.

“Thank you,” I say once I’m sure she’s done. “Thank you for sharing that with me. Now I know that whenever my father brings up his so-called friend, I’ll do everything I can to stop him. I won’t let you get dragged into that again, okay?”

“Okay.”

“And just to be clear. We’re not fake dating. We’re dating now and I’ll finally burn that contract.”

She huffs out a laugh and nods. “Yes, we’re dating.”

She nods, and we share a kiss. It’s gentle and unhurried, unlike the heated ones we usually have. This kiss is slow and tender, filled with so much emotion that I hope she’ll realize I’m not the only one who’s fallen in love. But I’ve already pushed too much, so I take her back to the pool house.

But once I flick on the light, the full weight of her sadness hits me.

The night had hidden her tear-streaked face and puffy eyes, but now they’re all too visible. Without saying a word, I help her out of her dress and into her silky pajamas. Once she’s settled, I press a tender kiss to her forehead.

She brushes her teeth while I turn on the soft, calming light beside our bed and find the book she brought with her.

It’s calledMoonlit Desires.She’d mentioned Priya lent it to her, and when I skim the blurb about five werewolves falling for the same girl, I can’t help but chuckle softly. It’s a bit surprising, seeing Priya’s taste in books take this turn, but to each their own.

“You’re planning to read that?” she asks, a smirk playing on her lips.

“Definitely,” I say just to keep that smile a little longer. “But only if you’re right here with me.”

I hop onto the bed and hold the blanket open, inviting her to snuggle under it.

She flashes a full grin now and snuggles up against me, her body soft and warm as she rests her head on my chest. I wrap the blanket around us both, then hold up the book so we can both read.

“Get ready for the best bedtime story you’ve ever had,” I tease. “I’m the perfect narrator.”

“I can’t wait for you to read the knotting scene out loud.”

“The what?”

“Oh, my sweet summer child.”

Thirty-five

LIORA

Riley leads me toward the gala’s entrance, and the first thing that catches my eye is a huge poster board with bold white letters that scream:Hamptons andHuntingtons—A single-day experience that brings together some of the biggest names in sports. This invite-only event for two hundred guests—including VIPs, tastemakers, athletes, and power brokers.

The gala is held in the Parrish Art Museum, where modern and minimalist design stands in stark contrast to the surrounding countryside. It looks magical though. It’s made of gabled sheds, set side by side, so that the profile of the building resembles an upside-down W. It manages to look like a huge white stable and a modern art piece at the same time, while all the rich people in the world are mingling within.

My heart pounds, nearly drowning out the clicks and flashes already erupting around us. I’m not used to this. The glitz, the glamour, the hungry eyes of photographers.

As if he’s sensing my discomfort, Riley pulls me close, strong arms snaking around my waist, and whispers in my ear. He’s done that a lot since we got here, and I’d be lying if I said Idon’t enjoy it. The sense of security he provides is comforting. He makes me feel so safe, as if nothing could ever harm me again while I’m in his arms.

“You look absolutely gorgeous tonight.” Riley’s whiskey eyes twinkle as they catch the glow of the fairy lights above us.

He had a designer come over to the pool house to show me some dresses. I tried to argue, but he was set on getting me a dress he had in mind. He insisted that for a gala where designers show off their creations, I couldn’t just wear any dress. Eventually, I gave in.

I hadn’t let anyone spoil me like this since Sandford.

He’d buy me things and then use it to put me down, calling me his little gold digger for accepting his gifts. I swore I’d never let a guy do that to me again. But Riley’s excitement about giving me something is different. It’s like the joy I feel when I give my mom a present. It’s not about the gift or the dress—it’s about how happy it makes him to seemehappy. It’s moments like these that make me question how I ever thought he was anything but a genuinely decent guy. I needed Nina to practically drag me into his arms to see it. It taught me that we really shouldn’t judge people based on their outward appearances. I should have known better.

The dress is silver with a low-cut back, glittering with tiny stones, and he even got me a matching necklace. Looking at myself now, I’ve never felt this beautiful before. I’m relieved I got my hair and makeup back in place, because as soon as Riley saw me in that dress, he couldn’t keep his hands off me. We ended up having sex right on the floor.

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