Page 27 of Forbidden Billionaires: Vol. 2
"Hey," he said. "I was hoping you'd call." He sighed. "So you took my advice? You two made up?"
"Yeah. Thank you, Tyler. For everything."
"The wedding is back on then?"
"It is. Tyler, if you're still in New York, you should come tonight."
"No. I mean...I never went back to New York. I'm at some diner in Pennsylvania right now, actually. I just needed to drive."
"I'm sorry."
"Don't apologize. I get it. And I am happy for you. Really, Penny, I am."
"Thank you." I quickly wiped under my eyes again.God, don't start crying again.
"So," Tyler said. "The police think I stole money from James? Is that about right?"
"Yeah. But it was Isabella. Don't worry about it, okay? We're going to clear it up. We went to the police station to try and get her arrested and it just...they twisted everything around." I moved the phone to my other ear so I could finish my hair.
"I don't really understand why my name came up. Should I be worried about this?"
"No. I promise I'll take care of it. I'm sorry you got dragged into this. I just wanted to call to make sure you knew it was going to be okay."
"Yeah. Hey, it's 5:30. Don't you have to get going to your rehearsal?"
"I have a few minutes."
We were both silent for a moment. I unplugged the curling iron.
"Penny, I said I couldn't be your friend anymore. We can't...Ican't do this." His breathing sounded heavy.
"I know." I walked out of the bathroom. I couldn't stand to look at my reflection in the mirror. It was hard being so happy whenTyler was so sad. Because of me. "Okay. Thank you for taking my call."
"Penny." His voice sounded pained. "I'm sorry that I'm not going to be there. I just...I need time."
"It's okay. I understand." I was blinking fast so that I wouldn't start crying.
"Maybe one day down the road we can try this whole friend thing again."
It was at least a small shred of hope. Time could heal this. Tyler would find someone and she would heal him. He'd know what true love really was.
"Call me when that happens. I'm going to miss you."
"I'm going to miss you too."
There was another awkward pause.
"Good luck tomorrow," he said.
"Thanks, Tyler."
"Bye, Penny."
"Bye." I listened to the phone disconnect on his end before hanging up. He was going to be okay. He just needed time. I took a deep breath as I walked into my closet.
I moved my dresses around until I found the one James wanted. I lifted up the hanger and held it out in front of me. James wasright. That night had been wonderful. And this dress would be perfect tonight too. I quickly changed into it. Luckily it still fit just right. It was a strapless white dress that stopped mid thigh and had a teacup-like skirt. I had thought the poof of it looked sophisticated and fun at the same time. I grabbed a pair of white high heels. As I put them on, I spotted a pair of red ones. That would be more fun. Tonight was all about celebrating me and James. It was supposed to be fun. I slipped on the red stilettos instead.James will like these.
I ran back into the bathroom and applied some red lipstick and a pair of dangling diamond earrings. I stared at my reflection in the mirror. Tomorrow morning I would be marrying James Hunter. There was no dwelling on the past. There was no worrying about the future. I was focused on this moment. Because I wanted to remember tonight for the rest of my life.
