Page 16 of Never the Bride
There's a pierce in my heart, but I was right. Hess is one of the few good guys out there.
“No problem.” I push a fake smile to overcompensate for my disappointment.
When the wheels hit the runway and the plane roars and slows, he unbuckles and reaches up to get my luggage before his own, like a true gentleman.
“Glad you’re okay.” He slings the strap of his bag over his shoulder as the line ahead of us starts to move.
“Yeah, me too. Thanks for saving me.”
“Anytime.” He doesn’t sound flirty. Just kind. Casual. Polite. “I hope everything works out for you, Camila.”
The déjà vu of the moment catches me off guard. I give a thumbs up, and immediately regret it—it’s worse than being helpless and unconscious.
“You too.”
His beautiful smile is the last thing I notice before he turns away.
And then we’re walking down the gangway and into the terminal, blending into the crowd like we didn’t just share something that felt like the start of everything.
It’s for the best,I remind myself as I drag my suitcase behind me.
I’m busy at work.
I have Selena I need to worry about.
And the biggest thing: it would never amount to anything. I’d make sure of that. I’m known for sabotaging relationships before they even start. And Hess seems like too good a guy to get caught up in something like that—to get caught up with me.
Camila
I spendthe forty-five-minute Uber drive to the event center on a work call, basically holding Mark’s hand because he forgot to mention luxury purchases during the deposition. It was a crucial piece in exposing the respondent’s financial misconduct. But it’s fine. We still have the hidden bank accounts. And it’s further proof to my boss, Richard Vanderveer, that I should be considered for an equity partner position.
But I’ll deal with that on Monday.
I have more pressing issues for now.
The Uber driver turns down a road, and we climb a hill lined with a mixture of cactus and lush trees. I text Selena that I’m pulling up to the venue, and she messages to meet her outside on the patio.
There’s an opening in the trees, and from the front window of the car, the sunlit property comes into view. A large building, a fountain, a canopy of trees, rustic decor, and wrought-iron gates make up the appeal of the place.
I knew Landon had money, but not likethis. Or maybe it’s his parents’ money footing the bill for this ridiculous engagement party at a desert garden. Because we all know Selena can’t afford this—not on her hairstylist's income.
Getting her to see that she’s making a mistake is going to be difficult when this upscale lifestyle is on the table. Even I can admit this is dreamy. It’s a far cry from how we grew up.
I thank my driver and head through the door to the back.
Selena stands out in a white linen dress that contrasts with her black hair and tan skin. She sits on Landon’s lap with a wine glass in one hand and the other tickling the back of his neck. Everything about her expression and her body language screams happiness. I should know. I’m her sister. I raised her.
My heart breaks at the thought of taking this fleeting feeling away from her. I’m not a cruel, insensitive person. I want my sister to be happy. That’s why I have to be the bad guy here. I have to be the one to tell her that she’s living in a dream that won’t last. Heaven knows my mom won’t tell her.
I draw in a breath of courage and walk toward them. Selena spots me before I’m even halfway there.
“Cami!” She jumps to her feet and runs toward me with arms stretched out, wrapping me in a giant hug. “I’m so happy you’re here.”
I squeeze her tight as my eyes drift to Landon. He waits in the wings, hands in his pockets, goofy smile on his face. He’s not at all what I pictured for my sister. He’s tall and lanky with strawberry-blond hair and pale skin that requires either a lot of sunblock or shade. There’s an edge of dorkiness to him that’s somewhat endearing. He’s a nice enough guy—my assessment from the few times I’ve met him—butnice enoughisn’t grounds for marrying someone at the age of twenty-one.
Selena releases me from the hug and physically leads me over to Landon. She grabs his hand and looks back and forth between us. “Now all my favorite people are here.”
A tight smile is my only response, because in a few minutes, I won’t be included on that list.
