“I guess that’s something,” I muttered.
“And Millie’s dad’s a shit bag.”
“So is the ex.”
“Slick-haired douche.Saw the photo of y’all in the airport.”
I dropped my forehead to the counter.“It’s everywhere?”I asked.
“Yep.”
I cursed.Belladonna rose from her bed and crossed over, pressing her body against my leg.I petted her ears, wishing she could take away the worry gnawing at my insides.
Millie
I pressedmy hand to my pronounced belly, wondering if I had the strength to walk into Cormac Bouchard’s house for Ida Jane’s wedding.Hersecondwedding to Maxim, but the first one for her family and friends.
Needing to watch my bestie pledge her life to the man of her dreams was a given.However, facing Luka revved my anxiety so high, I worried I’d pass out.
“Just get it over with, Millie.You’ve already lived through the nightmare.This is just some roadblocks.”
“Why are you out here talking to yourself, hon?”Loreen Barlow, Ida Jane’s mother, asked from my shoulder.She had her hands full of flowers, and I lifted a bouquet from her arms.“Ida Jane needs you inside, darling.”
“I’m coming.Just…steeling my nerves.”
“I can understand that.I used to think the boys’ football friends were a good-looking bunch, but these hockey players are in a whole different league.”She chuckled, her eyes twinkling.“And that Luka of yours?He’s what my mama would have called a tall glass of water.”
I couldn’t help the giggles that burst past my lips.Partly nerves, partly the idea of Luka as a thirst-trap—because he was mostdefinitelythat for most of the female fans.And supposedly, he lovedme.
Me.Unlovable Millicent Anne Jones, whose own father had tried to litigate into behaving his way.When that didn’t work, my former fiancé had ruthlessly expressed his interest in my fortune—and disdain for me.
Tch.As if.
I didn’t even have a fortune anymore.My father had cut me out when I refused to make up with Trent.He’d chosen a man he’d met two years before over his daughter.
“Come on, Millie.You need to get in there and do the maid-of-honor stuff—like tell Ida Jane she’s beautiful and fuss over her bouquet and all that jazz.”
“Ida Jane doesn’t need fussing, and of course she’s beautiful,” I countered.“Have you seen how radiant she is now that she and Maxim are going to be officially official—not just legally official?”
Yes, I had envy.No, I wasn’t happy about my feelings, but Ida Jane seemed to walk on air these days.Air Maxim provided.They were adorably, disgustingly in love.Something I hadn’t thought I wanted until I saw her joy and excitement…and until Luka’s reappearance in my life.
“I love you.”
No.Don’t think about that now.Not now.
“I admit, I had some concerns, what with the way they went about hooking up early on.”
I hid my cringe at Loreen’s words as I walked through the front doors and into Cormac’s beautiful house.Luka was nearby, and there was no doubt in my mind that he wasn’t happy with me for running away this morning.
He hadn’t been there when I woke.
But still, I’d run.He and I both knew it.
He’d tire of chasing me, if he hadn’t already.
“They had an unconventional start, sure, but she’s happy, Mrs.Barlow,” I said.
“I know it,” Loreen agreed.“Maxim’s such an attentive spouse.My Ida Jane really didgood.”She grimaced.“Especially after that, thatdud.Ugh.Daddy and I were worried about her head for a while there, but she came to her senses.”
