The idea of that life brought nothing but torment.
I clicked into my work email and scanned the contents of something that wasn’t important.
What would Enzo say if he could see me now?
My body shook from a violent shudder. “He’d think I was a freak.”
But it wasn’t always going to be like this. The long hours would stop eventually. Someday, I would get a cat. Maybe a dog. There would be time to take mornings off, have lazy walks around the park, and I would take time to better myself.
“I just have to hold out a little while longer,” I insisted.
The sun lifted above the clouds. It made me squint to see the screen.
What are you doing?
Here I was, the morning of my wedding, sitting on the beach and working. The last decade changed me. If the young Amanda could see me now, she would freak out. Yes, I was a boss babe, a high powered woman on the brink of success.
But at what cost?
Feeling slightly sick, I shut my phone off and dropped my forehead onto my knees. “I’ve been working myself to the bone.”
And for what?
What had it truly gotten me?
“Well, this is depressing,” I muttered, sniffing to hide the emotion swirling inside me.
Another wave reached out for me. This time, I let the frothy fingers wrap around my ankles and soak my bum. The chilly temperature was a nice distraction.
“Okay, new plan.” I drew in a deep breath and sat up straighter. “As soon as I make senior partner, I’ll schedule time off. I’ll travel. I’ll learn a new language. And I’ll finally learn to cook.”
The wave scurried back, and it might be the onset of madness, but I swore it laughed at me.
Fueled by the idea of change, I rose and wandered back to the cottage my family was renting. ‘Cottage’ was an architectural term used to describe the eight-bedroom behemoth. I slid into the kitchen, stomach growling. Maybe there was a protein shake in the fridge.
“Oh, good morning, Miss.” A maid sailed into the room and curtsied. “This came for you. I was going to wait until you were awake to bring it up, but here you are.”
I smiled pleasantly at the woman. “Thanks.”
The black satin bow slid open at the tug of my fingers. What lay inside the cardboard box was a single, long-stem rose nested in tissue. The muscles in my chest tightened painfully. It was beautiful.
“Here, you can have it,” I said, pushing the box to the maid, who was assembling a breakfast tray.
“Miss? Are you sure?” She blinked at me.
“Positive.” I gave her a smile that I didn’t feel. “I’ll have other flowers today.”
Flowers, I was forced to endure because it wouldn’t be a wedding without them.
“Thank you, and happy wedding day!” she beamed as I bolted from the kitchen.
Chapter 20 – Amanda
Carole’s squeal broke from across the room. “Archy’s landed and is in the car!”
There was a flutter of excitement from the cluster of girls in the room. A pair clinked their flutes, and someone laughed too loudly. I had to hold my fingers in my lap to keep from rubbing my temples and ruining the hours of hard work the makeup artist put into my face.
Dad was going to be here after all.
