Kali squeezes one of my hands while Liv takes the other. For a minute we simply smile at each other. We’re so close that we can communicate without words. Nothing else needs to be said.
The comfortable silence continues as Kali applies my makeup. Then Liv helps me dress. In a pink skirt that comes to mid-thigh and a floaty, white blouse with sheer paneling, I’m a beautiful force to be reckoned with.
My two BFFs stand close to me, Liv’s chin on my shoulder and Kali’s cheek to mine as we look at the reflection of the mirror.
“You look amazing, girl,” Kali whispers.
“Thanks to the two of you,” I murmur before squeezing them tightly in a hug.
Downstairs, the doorbell chimes.
From where he’s lying on the floor, George lifts his head and lets out a bark while Coco blinks at me curiously. Even Chanel, the bunny, seems to know something’s up because she hops around in a small circle.
My breath immediately lodges in my throat. My tongue feels so heavy and dry behind my teeth that I’m not even sure I’m going to be able to talk to Boone at all. What if I just sit there looking like a fool while he breaks my heart?
I manage to take a deep breath and hold it in my lungs while I count to ten. My heart’s practically palpitating in my chest, but I need to stay calm and cool. I’ll let Boone say his piece while acting collected and confident. There’s no way I’m going to let him see how much I’m hurting.
It’s that simple. I don’t need a wishy-washy man in my life, even for a fake relationship.
Kali and Liv gaze after me as I leave the bedroom and head down the stairs. Jutting out my chin and pushing back my shoulders, I grasp the knob and pull open the door.
Sunlight spills inside, framing Boone’s athletic body in golden rays. He gazes down at me, his hands dug in the back pockets of his jeans, making his tee stretch tightly across his muscular chest. A slow smile crosses his mouth, but his eyes are full of woe. My knees start to quiver, but I force myself to stand tall. He doesn’t look like he’s slept much last night. His hair is a little mussed and he seems tired.
Join the club, buddy.
“Boone,” I say stiffly.
“Hey,” he says. “You look amazing, dar—”
Unable to bear hearing him saydarlin’one more painful time, I step out the door and close it behind me.
“You wanted to talk, Boone, so let’s go talk.”
With a hesitant nod, he follows me to the backyard of the house, which is mostly just an area of private beach decorated with an outdoor table, comfy chairs, and an oversized umbrella. Instead of allowing him the honor of sitting on any of our cozy chairs, I lead him right to the sand by the water and ease myself down onto the warm dunes. He joins me and for a little while we simply stare out at the ocean.
After a moment, he turns to me. I know the words he’s going to say even before they even leave his perfect, sweet lips.
“Darlin’,” he whispers huskily. “I can’t do this anymore. This has to end.”
Since yesterday, I’ve been bracing myself for that exact comment, but it still manages to hit me like a sucker punch.
I wince hard, grinding my teeth, but I refuse to break down. I lift my head, letting the sun warm my cheeks so that I don’t tear up again. I’d spent enough time crying last night. I won’t shed a tear today.
“I’m real sorry,” he continues quietly, but now I’ve heard enough. I don’t want an apology.
I whirl toward him, long dark hair flying over my shoulders, and fight the urge to scowl at him.
“I get that part, Boone. Really, I do. We agreed that we could end this relationship at any point. But how could you let me find out that you’re getting back together with your ex the way I did? How could you go out on a date with her and let everyone online rub it in my face? I know our relationship was fake, but did you have no real respect for me at all?”
Boone falls silent. His jaw goes slightly slack.
“I…” he stammers. “We…”
I hold up an angry hand, palm facing him. “I, we, nothing, mister. One of our commandments was to be honest and you broke that.”
“Sutton, I’m not getting back together with Lucy,” he interrupts swiftly. He turns in the sand, knees sinking slightly into the beach. His eyes are so earnest that it almost leaves me speechless. “You really think some other girl is the cause of this?”
Confusion swirls with the frustration building inside of me. “I saw the pictures of you two together.”
