Page 24 of The Bad Wedding Date

“Well, you should.” I raised my brows, unable to stop the smile tickling my lips. “They’re the ones who protect you. You should stay with them, always.”

“They stink!”

“That, I can relate to.” She had the roundest, brightest blue eyes I’d ever seen on a real person. They were photoshopped aqua, matching the bright tones of her dress. “But, despite their smelly features, maybe I should get you back to them.”

“No.” She shook her head, her pigtails swaying again. “I want a fizzy drink. They won’t let me.”

“Fizzy drinks are bad for you…” I paused, scowling despite my smile. “What’s your name?”

“Annabelle.”

“That’s a pretty name for a pretty girl.”

“Fanks.” She looked over her shoulder before she turned back to me. “Will you get me fizzy drink?”

“How about I make you a deal? You let me take you back to your parents, and I’ll ask them if I’m allowed to buy you something you’ll like. I can’t promise it will be a fizzy drink, but—”

“I like puppies. Will you buy me one of those?”

“Let’s… start with the fizzy drink first, hey, Annabelle?” I stood tall again and held my hand out for her to take. I wasn’t going to force her anywhere, but I also wasn’t about to leave her roaming around The Savoy Hotel on a busy day. “Shall we?”

She slipped her chubby fingers between mine. “‘Kay.”

I was about to lead the way when a voice up ahead caught both our attention. “Annabelle Evelyn Ridgely!”

The sound of that voice sent shockwaves up my spine before I looked up, the smile slipping from my face instantly.

“Penn,” I mouthed.

Penn Ridgely—my ex-boyfriend between the ages of sixteen and eighteen—marched towards me wearing a very well-fitted suit. His dark hair was in a shaggy yet perfect mess, and he looked like he’d bulked a little since I last saw him…

Which had been years and years ago.

Penn had been a rogue and a cheat since before he’d even left the womb, and the entire London Elite knew of his reputation. There wasn’t a model or actress who passed through our beloved city without Penn getting his claws into them, and for some reason, they always seemed to thank him for it, like it had been a privilege for them to get a full three-minute workout beneath his sleazy body.

Penn and I had gone to private school together, and as the last living virgin at the age of sixteen, I’d been a conquest for the arrogant fool. My stupid hormones had allowed me to give in and waste two solid years lying beneath him while he went with other women behind my back. I’d been a zombie, trying to fit into this world, and having Penn’s attention made me think I could rival the other women for a while.

Even Emmie and my mother had approved.

However, after two years, I’d had enough, and since then, I’d been the only woman to ever dump Penn Motherfucking Ridgely. A title he hated me owning and one he tried to dispel at every given opportunity. He chose to tell people I was frigid and that he’d let me believe I’d been the one to end things because he didn’t want to be the guy to upset the Grants. Especially not the Wednesday Addams of the family.

My mind was lost in the flashbacks running through it when he came to a stop in front of me, fiddling with the middle button of his suit jacket, his smirk coming to life.

He smelt like money. Like the devil I wanted to bury in fire.

“Well, well, well.” He smiled. “If it isn’t Charlotte Grant.” He looked me up and down before his eyes met mine again. “Nice dress.”

“What are you doing here?” I asked, ignoring his sly dig.

His playful scowl paired perfectly with his devilish smirk. “I’m here by special invitation, Lottie.”

It dawned on me that, even with Fraser by my side, I’d still spent most of my time at the wedding with my head down so as not to attract any attention from anyone, which meant thatIhadn’t been paying attention to who surrounded me.

“Emmieinvited you?”

“Why wouldn’t she? I hang out with her and Lucas all the time.”

I paled, unable to hide my shock. Sure, Penn could have been lying, but I knew deep down in my heart that he wasn’t. All wit and sarcastic comebacks left me staring at him, which gave him time to glance down at my outfit. His features twisted to let confusion take over before he found my face again and raised a brow.

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