Page 76 of Lie With Me

“What good is marrying a billionaire if you can’t spend his money?” She laughs. “Besides, it was a good chance for Tripp and me to have a little talk.”

“What kind of talk?” I ask pointedly as I open the first box to find a stunning, sparkly pair of stud earrings that look like flowers. “Wow, Gin. These are so beautiful. Thank you.”

The second box has a matching bracelet, and she helps me clasp it around my wrist after I secure the earrings. “He loves you, you know. I don’t know how you possibly couldn’t know. It’s written plainly on his face whenever he looks at you.”

My heart skips a beat. It’s too soon to be throwing out the L word, but even as she says it, there’s a feeling that runs through me. It’s like being wrapped in a down comforter straight from the dryer. Like sitting in front of a fire with hot cocoa while you watch the snow fall outside. It’s warm and comforting and familiar—because I’ve been feeling it for some time now.

“I think I love him, too,” I whisper the words out loud for the first time, my cheeks burning as I open the third box to reveal a necklace made of brilliant marquise diamonds.

“I don’t think you do, Len. Iknowyou do. I think you should tell him.”

“Today isn’t about me, Ginny. It’syourday. So why are we dressing me in enough diamonds to look like I’m about to shoot a jewelry ad?” I try to joke.

“Because you like sparkly things, and Tripp and I like seeing you happy.” We both stand, and Ginny helps me put on my necklace before I turn and double-check that everything on her gown is falling the way it should be.

“Ginny, darling? Are you ready?” Christine, her foster mother, asks as she walks into the room.

We turn and look at ourselves in the giant full-length mirror. My red strapless mermaid gown is loud against all of her cream and ivory, but even though I’m wearing a bright color and enough jewels to make all of my financial problems go away, somehow, it all comes together in the mirror.

Tripp and I don’t walk down the aisle together.

It’s one of those weddings where I walk alone, and the men are already at the end of the aisle, watching along with the rest of the room. There are so many white roses, the air filled with their florally sweet perfume tipped with mint, that I wonder how Tripp is making it through without wanting to vomit.

The entire room looks like something straight out of a fairytale wedding, and I almost laugh because Jackson likes big, flashy things, and Ginny just likesJackson. So, I’m sure the decorations have more to do with him than my best friend.

Our men stand like perfect Greek statues. Both of their chiseled jawlines are covered by their short, impeccably groomed beards, and their muscled bodies fill out their Kiton tuxedos to perfection. I’m still coming to terms with the fact that Tripp cut his hair—his curls are still intact on top while the sides are shorter and more styled. Still, just the sight of him takes my breath away.

While Jackson’s smile still looks like it promises a night full of sin and debauchery, Tripp’s looks like it guarantees you a lifetime of good morning kisses and warm, fluffy pancakes after he wakes you up with his tongue between your legs.

And I want that.

Fuck, do I want it.

Throughout the whole walk, we share a smile. I almost mouth it.I love you.But I know this isn’t the time or the place to say it. Tripp deserves a romantic gesture—tofeelit when I tell him.

And I think I deserve it, too. To feel it wholeheartedly when he finally tells me.

The ceremony is short and sweet. No fluff, no frill, and averyindecent you may kiss your bride moment on Jackson’s part.

During it all, our eyes stay connected. Even when everyone else’s are on the couple when they walk down the aisle together, and people flood them with congratulations, even then Tripp doesn’t tear his gaze from mine.

Then, finally, I’m back in his arms.

“You look stunning. I’m going to fuck you wearing nothing but those diamonds tonight,” he whispers in my ear as we spin around the dance floor.

“You’re going to wear my diamonds? Now there’s a naughty image.” I smirk up at him. “Thank you for the jewelry. The pieces are beautiful.”

“Not nearly as beautiful as you.”

“Keep talking like that, handsome, and I may just have to take you into one of the rooms here and have my filthy way with you,” I jest in the best southern drawl I can. It’s not good at all and makes us both laugh.

We mingle with guests, some of whom offer us congratulations as well. I’m willing to bet Ginny knows next to none of these people, and the guests are mostly connections of Jackson’s or paparazzi who he invited.

“Don’t they look absolutely sickening?” Carmela appears beside me and holds out a glass of champagne. She smirks into her drink and winks at me before returning her gaze to the dance floor where Jackson and Ginny are so wrapped up in each other I’m not even sure they remember there’s a room full of people around them.

“They look so happy. I never knew another person could make youthathappy,” I say softly, scanning the crowd beyond the couple for my Prince Charming.

“You’rethat happy, aren’t you? Things are goingwell with your guard dog?” Carmela picks at imaginary lint on her sparkling, forest green gown.

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