Page 2 of Duty Became Desire

“Honestly, Alec, I’m not sure how he didn’t tell you. Or go ring shopping with you. But it’s a little more endearing knowing he did this all on his own. And come on, our anniversary, how could I not have my wedding on it? And I refuse to wait a whole other year to marry the man I love!”

“No, just not get engaged prior to that.” She rolled her eyes and shooed me out of her way. “Where’s your lunch date?”

“The little Italian joint in the Luxor.” I paused, still standing in her way. I knew the place and knew exactly who stayed at that hotel when she was in town, too. “Don’t look that way. Skylar is my best friend.” She grabbed her keys off the hook and turned to look at me. “Someday, I’m getting the story out of you and her as to why you two utterly despise each other.”

“Good luck with that,” I mumbled.

Chapter two

Skylar

Igrabbed my key card as I slipped out of the hotel room. Being an interior designer sure helped pay rent, but it also allowed for a few more luxuries, like being able to stay in Las Vegas for cheaper. Probably didn’t hurt that I gave a hell of a discount to the manager of the hotel for helping him design his new home in exchange for a far cheaper rate on a hotel room that was only mine.

I refused to live in Las Vegas, but I had more work out here than I did in a town about two hours away. So, it was far easier to pack up my laptop and head to a hotel room that was mine with all my things, than to commute back and forth constantly. Not to mention it was a nice getaway from the very small-town vibe, but I could not live in Vegas, there was just no way.

I checked my phone as I waited for the elevator, seeing that I still had a few minutes before Demi showed up. Knowing my friend, she was running behind anyway.

I swear, I wasn’t ever sure how that woman got anything done in a timely fashion when she only knew how to be late. But it would be okay, it would allow me time to get some wine ordered for whatever big news she had for me.

Within moments, I stepped into the elevator, seeing the text from her that she was around the corner, but knowing Vegas traffic, she was going to be a few minutes late.

I chuckled to myself as I walked out into the casino lobby and made my way over to the Italian joint that we loved.

“Spot for two, please,” I told the hostess. The woman grabbed the menus and turned to walk away, making me give her a sour look. A ‘hi, right this way,’ would have been wonderful. Yes, the wonderful people of Vegas, another tick under the column of why I couldn’t live here. “Thank you,” I told her, taking the seat.

“What do you feel like?” I snapped my head up, looking at the woman who was taking the seat across from me, a smile on her face.

“Uh, Demi, that is not a few minutes late!”

“Surprise,” she said, laughing as she waved her hand. I gasped as I spotted the sparkle. No way in hell could I miss it.

“Gimmie,” I told her, yanking her hand across the table, and making her laugh again.

“I knew you’d see it!”

“This is the news,” I exclaimed, dancing in my seat a little bit. “Demi, it’s a beautiful ring. I love it. And the heart…swoon. Totally romantic.” I got up to give her a hug and she beamed. “Congratulations honey.”

“Sky, he was so sweet.” I waved the waiter down, quickly putting in an order for two glasses of wine, and the chicken alfredo to be split.

“Well, you know I need details!” I told her, crossing my arms on the table and giving her my attention.

“He took us out to a rooftop dinner at our favorite place. Had a little corner slice of heaven with a view to kill for. Now I know why those tables are so much money.

“Anyway, he talked about how he always saw his life, how he always thought his wild ways would make him be alone. But then bam, he collided with the rest of his life when he walked out of a bathroom at a sporting event. He said he was unworthy of a goddess like me, true words.”

I bounced my feet on the floor, just like a little girl, smiling so wide for her.

“And?”

“He said that I would make him feel ten feet tall if I agreed to marry him. Granted, he never got the words out because I shot out of my chair and tackled him to the ground since he had the ring out and was on his knee.”

I busted out laughing, seeing that clearly in my mind’s eye.

“Sounds like a perfect proposal. So, knowing you and how long you waited for that, when’s the wedding?”

“Um, about that.” I lifted a brow at her, knowing that I wasn’t going to like what she had to say. “We wanted to get married on our anniversary.” I thought that over and then frowned.

“That’s in September. As in like…just a few months away. Demi, you’re killing me. What about dress shopping and taste testing…and…and…all of that?”

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