Page 122 of Marrying Off My Husband

I arched my eyebrow at her as I nodded. “Yes, I am. And I would like to toast to my beautiful, lovely, kind, sweet, perfect maid of honor. Eve…would you do me the honor of standing beside me at my wedding to the man of my dreams?”

“Aw, Louise, of course, I will. I’m honored you’d ask me.”

“So, you’re saying yes?”

“Of course, I am.”

Another squeal escaped me as tears formed in my eyes. “Since I was a little girl, I dreamed about my perfect wedding. And I just knew I’d have my best friend standing at my side for it, and now I do.”

I snaked my arm across the table and grabbed her hand, squeezing it. The sadness I’d detected before danced in her eyes again before she shoved it aside, focusing on asking about my wedding.

“I have got loads of ideas,” I said as I pulled my notebook from my bag and flicked it open. “Now, I have a few musts…oh shoot, wrong one.”

She burst into a giggle. “Wrong one? What other wedding are you planning?”

“Yours,” I answered with a grin.

Her lower lip bobbed a few times before she plastered on what looked like a fake smile.

“Trust me, darlin’, it’s going to happen. I’m pretty certain Spencer was thinking about just how to propose earlier.”

She shifted in her seat, the fake-looking smile still on her features. “Well, for now, you are the only bride, so bask in that moment. Let’s keep the focus entirely on you.”

“I won’t complain about that. As long as you let me do the same for you when it’s your turn.”

“Okay,” she answered.

We spent the rest of the lunch gabbing about wedding details and making plans for that all-important dress shopping day.

As we parted ways, our date already made for the shopping trip, I squeezed her tight, so happy I could burst.

Soon, I’d be marrying the man of my dreams, and shortly after that, my two best friends would be getting married. My life couldn’t be more perfect. Nothing was going to ruin myhappiness now. Nothing. Except…something niggled at the back of my mind. Could it really be this easy?

CHAPTER 30

SPENCER

My heart sank as Louise crossed the boardwalk back to the house, her shoes in her hand and an unstoppable smile on her face. Engaged. She was engaged.

Most people would immediately think that I was jealous, that I’d hoped somehow that we’d stay married, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.

Where my real sadness stemmed from was the realization that Louise was done dating. The game was over. And I’d won.

I’d never regretted a win more than this one.

The waves crashed in front of me, the sea growing more turbulent with every splash. A storm was blowing up the coast, matching my mood.

Black clouds edged out the sun, and a few raindrops began to fall.

It didn’t drive me back into the house, though. Instead, I stood there, letting the rain pelt me as I continued to brood.

Louise’s impending nuptials meant the end of my relationship with Eve.

We’d agreed when we started dating that we’d continue until Louise had found her happiness. Now, she had, and it spelled the end of us.

I hated that.

I’d grown close to Eve over the time we’d spent together. In fact, I’d never been so close to someone. Not even Louise.

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