Page 22 of You Know I Love You

“I’m not engaged. I swear.”

“Then that is the world's biggest promise ring.”

“Yeah, it's not that either.” I pull my hand back, heading for my closet so that I can change. The sooner I go to bed, the sooner tomorrow will be here, and I’ll get to see King again.

“Girl, if you don’t tell me what’s?—”

“We got married,” I blurt out. Teddy stands in the doorway of my closet with her mouth hanging open. She slowly closes it, and I can tell she is debating what to say next. “And I don’t regret it.” I tug open one of the drawers to find a clean pair of panties.

Teddy only stands there, not saying anything. I think for once she’s shocked into silence. “I’m not changing my mind, so don’t try and talk me out of it.” Still she only stands there. “Are you going to say something?”

“Congratulations.” Teddy walks over and gives me a hug. “Not going to lie and say I’m not worried, but it’s your life, and know that whatever happens, I’ll be here.” I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. I wasn’t sure how she was going to react, but I should have known she’d be supportive.

“Thank you.” I squeeze her back tightly.

“But know we still have to plan my wedding, and you’re obviously the maid of honor.”

“Obviously.” I laugh. “Oh my God! If you marry West, that means you’ll technically be my aunt.”

“Oh, wow.” Teddy laughs with me. “I hadn’t thought of that.”

“It’s crazy how things are changing around here."

"Yeah, you should probably know that Jack is hooking up with my mom."

"What!" Okay, I did not see that one coming. Jack is my Uncle West's right-hand man. "I have never thought of your mom dating anyone, let alone hooking up with someone."

"Same." Teddy didn't know her father. He skipped out on them when he found out he'd knocked her mom up. She was only a teen at the time. Teddy's mom ended up having to move in withher sister. All of them can go get fucked because Teddy and her mom Eden are kickass. They hold the Haven estate together.

"I need to tell Rich."

"That will be a load of fun," Teddy says dryly.

"I know." I sigh. "He doesn't miss our father, but this has still messed with him."

"He's different." Teddy says in agreement. "We all work through our shit in our own ways. I think we should give him some time." I nod. You can't push Rich; he'll just push right back and harder. He's bullheaded.

“I’m going to get ready for bed and call it a night.”

“Fine, but you’re spilling everything tomorrow.”

“Deal.” I give Teddy another hug.

I can already sense things are changing even with us. Normally, she would have crashed in my room tonight, but now she’ll be in West’s bed. I can’t say that I’m not jealous. I want to be back in Vasily's bed too. But it’s a good thing. We’re each going to be starting our own chapters in life.

That’s what this weekend has been about. Peeking out to see what mine would be. I had no idea I was getting way more than a chapter.

We say our goodnights, and I change my panties before grabbing one of Vasily’s shirts I’d taken from his closet to pull on to wear to bed. I dig my phone out before crawling in bed to call him. The phone rings a few times but then goes to voicemail.

The hell? I hate that an uneasy feeling tries to creep in. This is the first time we have been apart since we met.

I close my eyes, holding my phone in my hand, telling myself I won’t call again. He might be on another call. That's it. He'll call me back. He hadn't even wanted to drop me off... but he had, my stupid brain whispers.

"Princess." I jerk awake, not having realized I'd even drifted off to sleep. The bed dips next to me.

"Vasily?"

"I'm here." His arm wraps around me, pulling me into his big, warm body.

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