Chapter Ten
––––––––
Adalynn
––––––––
After leading us tothe blue room, my dad, all eager and excited to show off his vintage whiskey to the billionaires—and they seem equally excited—redirects them to the man cave.
Although I know for a fact that they drink whiskey that costs hundreds of thousands of dollars more than my dad’s pride and joy.They’re billionaires, for crying out loud.
I can only imagine how happy my mom is going to be making sandwiches for them too.Again, they’re billionaires.They’re used to Michelin-star chefs.
Ugh, I groan.They better not say anything snarky to my parents; I’ll...kick their nuts.
But once I’m alone in the bedroom, I stand there gaping like an idiot for ten minutes straight before I recollect myself.
I can’t explain what unfolded if my life depended on it.What did happen anyway?I know I was kissed.My lips are still swollen and tingle, and I can still taste their minty breath on my tongue.Oh boy, that really did occur; no imagination there.
Lily.I need to speak to Lily.Thankfully, she answers on the second ring.
“Hey, you.”
“Lily, you are not going to believe what just happened.”I tell her everything, then have to hold the phone away from my ear as she squeals loudly.
“I don’t know what to make of this.I don’t know what to do.”
“Okay.So, they arrived at Crystal Cry.They called you their little future bride.They kissed you under the mistletoe.They’re not leaving.They’re having a drink with your father and eating a sandwich your mom made them.Basically, they’re playing the part of your fiancés.”
“But how do I know for sure?And why, Lily, why are they doing this?They’re not supposed to exist in my world this way.It’s all wrong.”
“And yet they are.Listen, I can’t explain the quantum mechanics of it.Just think of it as a Christmas miracle.They’re playing the part you needed them to play, and since they have no intention of ratting you out, just go with it.”Lily screams again.“I can’t believe they’re right there with you.I wish you could have bottled the look on Ines’s face.”
“I do too,” I say, smiling.“It was epic.I saw her malfunction in real time right before my eyes.”
“See?It’s all good.Mission accomplished.Look, babe.This is good.You just need to let it run its course.When the universe gifts you with three sexy-as-fuck billionaires on your doorstep, staying in character as your fiancés, you don’t give your universe the middle finger and question things.You take and use it to your advantage.No one is going to say, ‘Oh, poor little to-be-married Adalynn’ now, are they?”
“You’re right,” I say, sighing and rubbing my forehead.“I have no idea what their game plan is, but as long as they haven’t snitched on me, I’m good.”
“That’s my girl.”
“I just have to get through the dinner tonight, Christmas lunch tomorrow, and then I can leave the next day, and it might just all work out.”
“Exactly.”
“Okay, Christmas Eve dinner first.”But even as I say that, I envision the dull outfit I packed.Granted, I was going to sit with the children.But now...
“Crap.I can’t wear the clothes I brought; I’ll be—”
“Say no more.I’m done baking, so I’m on my way to you right now.I have the perfect thing for you to wear.I finally get to dress you.I’ve waited all my life for this, girl.”
“No, it’s a forty-minute drive.”
“You’re not talking me out of this.Universe, Adalynn.Your universe is giving you things.Take it, dammit.”
How lucky am I that Lily is a fashion designer who always has a wardrobe for any occasion on hand, no matter where she is?
