Page 97 of Revenge Honeymoon

“We did,” Max said. Then he wrapped an arm around Emily’s waist.

As she took in the move, Ruby’s eyes lit up. “Oh, wow.”

Emily’s face heated.

Would her best friend be mad at her for breaking her promise to focus on Ruby and her mental wellbeing after the wedding disaster?

“Max and I—” Why was it so hard to force the words out? “Me and Max. He and I, well, we kind of, sort of—” Was she about to faint? Was light-headedness a symptom of best friend betrayal?

“I’m in love with Emily.” Max’s grip on her side relaxed. “And I think she feels the same.”

A gush of warmth filled her body at the words. Even though he’d said it before, it still surprised her like a participant onLove is Blindwhen she sees her fiancé for the first time.

He loved her.

Sexy, gorgeous, smart, funny, amazing Max.

Her heart stopped or maybe skipped a few beats, she wasn’t sure which.

Ruby stared at her.

“I love Max.” To say the words filled her with giddiness. Bubbly, silly, crazy giddiness. She loved MaxwellSome Middle NameKeeling. She’d have to ask him what his middle name was. How could she not know it? When would she meet his parents? What would they think of her? Oh, did he have any siblings? Maybe he had a hot brother Ruby would be interested in. Wait, what about today? What about Tyler?

“Earth to Emily.” Ruby waved her hand in front of Emily’s eyes.

“She gets like that sometimes,” Max said.

“I know, right?” Ruby laughed. “Always thinking too much.”

“Totally.”

Emily snapped back and ignored their comments. “Hey, what happened with Tyler today?”

Ruby’s laughter subsided, and spots of color entered her cheeks. “That jerk? Thank God I didn’t marry him.”

The parade of cruisers grew thicker as the deadline approached to board the ship before it set sail.

“Maybe we should go get a drink?” Max suggested as they were surrounded by sunburned, tired newlyweds of all shapes and sizes.

Ruby linked arms with Emily. “That sounds perfect.”

* * *

At a table in the corner of the Sunset Lounge, the threesome downed strawberry daiquiris. Ruby mostly stirred hers as she recounted her meeting with Tyler.

“You were so right, Em, I should’ve gone ATV riding with you. It wasn’t worth the pesos for the taxi ride to see Tyler.”

“Did he at least apologize to you?”

She shook her head. “I think he thought I’d be crying, upset, and begging him to come back to me.”

“Ruby Evers beg?” Emily couldn’t even imagine it. “I don’t think so.”

“I know, right? I’m no doormat. He ruined our wedding. He embarrassed me. So I called him out on it. Right there in front of the mariachi band and the lady selling straw handbags. I said no decent man would leave his fiancée at the altar and call her on the phone to tell her it was off. He would’ve showed up in person and begged for mercy. Would’ve faced up to my dad who shelled out an arm and a leg for everything. The venue, the food, the flowers—the cruise. Like, what kind of jerk slinks away and leaves the bride to deal with all that crap alone?”

Max grimaced.

Emily boiled inside and wished she could’ve been next to her friend and slugged Tyler like she had thought about in the jungle.

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