Page 36 of Salvaged Hearts

Was it possible for each sigh to grow longer and more exasperated than the last? Because this was just the beginning, and it was already exhausting me. “Look. I would’ve talked to you, but the media went crazy when they caught wind ofthings, and I wasn’t sure how to tell you guys.” Dead silence. Seriously, I needed a defibrillator for my phone. “It’s real, sissy. The engagement, the ring.” I eyed the monstrosity perched so proudly on my finger. Only Greyson Hart could discreetly get his hands on a national monument without notice. I’d fall right to the ocean floor if I went overboard these days. “Hell, I have to do extra reps on my right side to keep my muscle mass even…sissy?”

“Sorry, I’m looking at my calendar, butno, it’snotApril first.”

“Very funny.”

“I’mvery funny. What are you playing at? Last month, you were drunkenly threatening his life at my bachelorette party because he wouldn’t let you enjoy your trip home.”

Leighton’s delighted snicker from the armchair had my eyes snapping to her, and her glee earned an ensuing middle finger. Which, of course, sent her guffawing into her hands.

“And you and Broderick bicker like cats and dogs,” I argued feebly.

“Playfullybickering with a man who loves and respects me is not the same thing as actively wishing another human would meet an unfortunate end for two consecutive years, and you know it.”

“That’s a bit of an exaggeration.”

“You did vow to disembowel him.”

Point taken. “Okay, so we got off on the wrong foot, but that doesn’t mean we’ve stayed that way.”

“Got off!?Got off on the wrong foot?Try six hundred consecutive wrong feet.”

“Look, sissy. I can’t stay on the phone?—”

“Alice,” she cut me off. “We’re worried about you. You’ve gotta give us something.”

Sucking down air like my life depended on it, I steeled my spine and declared, “Things change, El.Peoplechange. You and Brod are evidence of that. Now. I’m a twenty-eight-year-old woman, and did it occur to you that I might not be calling because I knew how you’d react and didn’t want to dim the excitement of this chapter of my life with your judgment?”

I could practically hear her mouth gape in the silence as the lies bittered on my tongue. While guilt slithered through my intestines like a snake, I held to the statement's truth. Of all my siblings, Elora would be the hardest to convince.

Because, of all my siblings,shewas the one I turned to to bitch about him most frequently. She knew better because I told her everything. Which meant I had to make it worse before I could make it better.

“Look, I appreciate that you want to protect me, but I’m not a baby anymore, and I can make my own decisions.”

“Of course…Alice, you…you could’ve talked to me if things were changing. I…I just hope you know what you’re doing. Blink twice if he has you held against your will.”

“I’ll blink twice if things go belly up, I swear. And then you and JamesandPax can fly in and play vigilante all you want.” Probably poor word choice, but that was an unfortunate side effect of just spitting out what was top of mind as panic and guilt did the horizontal tango in my chest.

“I love you, sissy.”

“Love you, too.” Slowly, I disconnected, steadying myself with a deep breath as I looked around at the exquisite bathroom Greyson set aside for me. Everything about this space was elegant. Luxuriously thick rugs adorned the marble floor that was so sparkly, I wasn’t sure if they’d legitimately crushed diamonds into the stone, beautiful pale blue patterned drapes, and a view worth selling a few organs for. The ornate vanity was reminiscent of movies set in Cape Cod or Martha’s Vineyard.

But it certainly wasn’tmine.

I’d been enjoying the excuse of returning to my apartment every night, but that all ended tonight.

Tonight, Greyson’s ridiculously expensive movers would bring in my things, and we’d officially confirm the suspicions we’d planted with an announcement of our own and a formal portrait on his expansive deck. Today, the performance of my life would begin. All I could do was pray I’d sell it well.

Women had married for less.

It’s not like I had any legitimate prospects. I honestly couldn’t remember the last time I’d been interested in a man. And the ‘swipe right’ scene was just not for me. In my experience in a world determined to label me as odd, solitude was a far more comforting companion than forcing on a mask to earn the approval of others, much less trick a man into loving the idea of you. Eventually, my facade would tire and crack, leaving him with the real thing. The mask could delay rejection, but it could never eliminate it.

Hell, I kept reminding myself that women had married for pettier reasons at the whims of men much worse than Greyson Hart. At least, that’s what I was telling myself as Matilda emerged from a bathroom cabinet.

“Can we get pizza?” she asked as if Leighton hadn’t just rocketed to her feet like she was prepared to bolt for her life. Mattie’s spontaneous appearances had lost their effect over the last few years, although this one was particularly untimely.

“Aren’t you supposed to be home?” I lamented without any real bite to my tone. If I was honest, her peculiarities were rather endearing.

She wrinkled her nose. “Nanny quit again.”

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