Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 68858 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 344(@200wpm)___ 275(@250wpm)___ 230(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 68858 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 344(@200wpm)___ 275(@250wpm)___ 230(@300wpm)
The staff member led me into a beautifully appointed room lined with full-length mirrors on three sides, the fourth wall dedicated entirely to an array of luxurious clothing. Each piece was more stunning than the last, a dizzying array of fabrics and colors that nearly made me forget why I was there. The lighting was soft and flattering, designed to make every angle perfect, and I couldn’t help but feel a little overwhelmed.
Peyton and Melody followed close behind, their eyes scanning the room with a mix of curiosity and wariness. The staff member—her name tag read Isabella—turned to me with a polite smile. "Would you care for some refreshments while you browse, Miss Castello?"
Before I could answer, Melody chimed in, her voice breezy but firm. "Yes, that would be lovely. We'll have sparkling water, please, and perhaps a fruit platter if you have one."
Isabella nodded and gestured to another attendant standing by the door. The young woman hurried off, returning moments later with a tray carrying glasses of sparkling water and an assortment of fresh fruit, arranged artfully on a silver platter.
Isabella then began explaining the different options laid out before me, speaking of the designers, the fabrics, and how each outfit could be tailored to fit my exact specifications. It was clear this wasn’t just about finding something to wear; it was about projecting a specific image—a role I was meant to step into.
As she spoke, I reached for a glass, feeling the bubbles tingle against my palm as I wrapped my fingers around the stem. Peyton suddenly turned to the staff; his smile was polite but his tone left no room for negotiation. "We appreciate all your help, but we need a bit of privacy now."
The room fell silent, the staff exchanging brief glances before bowing their heads slightly in acknowledgment.
One by one, they filed out of the room, leaving the three of us alone. The quiet that followed was almost suffocating, filled with all the things we weren't saying. As the doors clicked shut behind the last of them, I turned toward my friends just as Melody surged forward.
She wrapped her arms around me and squeezed. “Jesus Christ, El. I was so worried about you after that last text.”
“I’m okay,” I lied.
She let me go and then looked down. Her eyes widened as she took in the sight of the ring Mateo had placed on my finger. “Do you realize how much that ring is worth?” she asked, her voice a mix of awe and disbelief.
I shook my head, feeling a bit out of my depth. “No,” I replied honestly.
“Is that really what’s important right now, Mel?” Peyton questioned,
“Our best friend is engaged to the man we were just warning her about less than twenty-four hours ago? I would fucking say so, Peyton.”
“That goes without saying,” he countered, then turned his sights to me. “How exactly did this happen?”
“Yeah, what happened last night?” she asked, her voice tinged with both concern and curiosity.
I took a seat on the egg-shaped sofa, needing a moment to gather my thoughts. The memory of the night before was still fresh, but it felt like something out of a dream—or a nightmare. "We had dinner, and then he took me to his home," I began, trying to keep my voice steady as I relayed the events.
Peyton raised an eyebrow. "So, he jack-rabbited you?" he remarked offhandedly.
I shot him an incredulous look. "Seriously?"
He simply shrugged, a sly grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. "I can see his handprint around your neck, babe."
My hand instinctively went to my neck, where I could still feel the faint remnants of Mateo's touch. I had tried to make it fade, but I hadn’t had much luck.
Melody frowned, stepping closer to get a better look. "He wasn’t too rough with you, was he?"
I didn’t want to lie to them, but I couldn’t bring myself to admit what had truly transpired just a few hours ago, either. It was too raw, too confusing to even put into words. So, I compromised. “Last night was intense, but I was… accepting of it.” I lifted my hand to show them the ring that now adorned my finger. "I got this today."
“He really proposed to you?” Peyton asked, his tone laced with disbelief.
“Not that there's anything wrong with you. You’re one of the most gorgeous women I’ve ever met, but babe, the man has been with plenty of women. What the hell did you put on that man for him to wake up and wife you?”
I couldn’t help but laugh, the sound hollow in my throat. Peyton had gotten it all wrong, and we both knew it. He was trying to lighten the mood, to pull me back to the surface because he sensed I was sinking too deep. He’d always been good at reading me.