Page 60 of If Tomorrow Never Comes

She gasps covering her mouth with one hand and extending the one with the ring, then she giggles as she looks up at me.

Shit. She’s finally snapped, hasn’t she ?

“Did you really just propose to me in a pool with a sopping wet beach hat on your head?” Her giggles explode as she bends over in hysterics. I can’t help but laugh right alongside her. This moment, as tense as it is, has been lightened by the damn hat. I silently send up a thank you to mamá.

“I did. Except, I didn't propose. I’mtellingyou that you’re marrying me tonight. Proposing like your… ex did… would be asking. And I’m not asking.” Her smile falls a fraction at the mention of Liam.

She looks down and inspects the ring, finding her words. “Nice touch with the two blue sapphires. You just had to have me reminded of you, even in your absence, didn’t you?”Damn if this woman doesn’t see right through me.

“As much as I would love for this to be real, I understand you wouldn’t want it to be this way. I will try my best to get this wedding called off, but in the event I can’t, we can have an annulment after Geraldo is dead.”

Her front teeth come down and clamp her bottom lip. “Okay.”

“Okay? That’s all you have to say? You aren’t going to kick and scream, threaten to jump off the back of the ship like Rose fromTitanicif I come any closer, or at the very least—curse me out?”

“Nope,” she says, popping the P. She wades through the water, collects her margarita and finishes it off in one swig. Then proceeds to exit the pool, wrapping a towel tight around her center, and tossing on the designer sunglasses I purchased for her. “I guess I should get ready then.” She shrugs, walking back to the main cabin.

“Madison,” I say her name like a plea for my sanity. She turns back around, tightening her grip on the towel. “Thank you, and I’m sorry. Twice now, your dream proposal has been ruined. I know I threw shade at Liam for that, and here I am doing the same thing. I’m starting to think I’m not any better.”

“What happens if we can’t get Geraldo tonight?” She shifts her weight and grips the towel tighter, her knuckles starting to whiten.

“We make himthinkwe are working on….expandingmy bloodline. Then when he drops his guard, knowing his and my father’s legacy is safe, we end him.

“First, a fake wedding. And now fake babies.” She shoots me two thumbs up. “Good plan.”

I sigh and take off the stupid hat, running my hands through my slickened hair. “Would it really be so bad if this were real?” The vulnerability in my voice is unnerving, and she notices.

She always notices me, therealme.

Shaking her head, she says, “No. It wouldn’t be. But my soul belongs to Liam, so I wouldn’t ever be able to give you that part of me. My heart? Yeah. I think I could give you that one day… but my soul is his and always will be.” She spins on her heel and leaves me there in the pool.

Without turning around she shouts out, “Make sure you add wedding planner to the list of titles you hold with me. My captor, my protector, designer…my trainer…” She ticks off on her fingers.The sass. I fucking love it. Those words stung to hear but the fact that she admitted to feeling something more than lust towards me, has me feeling all sorts of fucking amazing.

“And in a few hours, yourhusband,” I shout on a laugh.

She flips me the bird in her retreat, her ring gloriously sparkling in the sun.

Now, let’s plan this wedding.

My hands shakeas the hairstylist, Cindy, slides the last bobby pin into my hair. She has successfully completed a beautiful half-up half-down look. Full of big curls, volume, and Swarovski crystals. The bruises around my neck are barely visible with the work of these amazing makeup artists. Rita and Lucas have turned me into a freakin goddess. My eyes are lined with charcoal and smoked out just enough for that perfect bridal look.

I mean, it’s all perfect. Down to the boho tulle and lace dress. It’s gorgeous. Off the shoulders and patterned with lace ivy applicants on the bodice. The entire back is open, sinking down to my tail bone. I opted to go shoeless—well,sort of. Pearl embellished barefoot jewelry wraps around my feet. Then of course we havethe ring.This massive, beautiful and thoughtful ring. Tears prick at my eyes. I snag a tissue from the vanity I am sitting at and dab the corner of my eyes.No crying.This is fake, Madison.It’s all fake.

Yet, it’s everything I could want for my wedding—except it’s not with Liam.

And although it’s all a sham, I’m still nervous as hell. Butterflies swarm in my belly with a sense of…what?Anticipation? Guilt over Liam churns deep down. He doesn’t even know. I highly doubt Killian told him, knowing damn well how he’d react. A huge part of me felt the need to tell him. Ultimately, I decided it was for the best not to.

This isn’t real.

And at the end of the day,hebroke up with me.

Nothing I say or do now will change that fact. If anything, agreeing to a fake wedding will only drive his point about my feelings for Diego further home.Gah. What the hell is my life right now?

The staff add their finishing touches and leave, giving me some privacy before the ceremony begins.

A gentle knock on the door grabs my attention. Selena pops her head in, shooting me a sympathetic smile. “Mind if I come in?”

“Not at all.Pleasedo”

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