Two hundred people are here.
I don’t even know that many people.
Hell, I can count on one hand how many people I would’ve invited—zero.
“Is this how many people we’re inviting to the wedding?” I ask Kane, a bit overwhelmed.
When he said he’d handle the engagement party, I didn’t ask questions, but maybe I should’ve.
“Yes,” he says, sliding his arm around my back and guiding me over to the next group of people we need to greet. “It would be rude not to.”
While we’re chatting with a few of his employees who made the move with him to Harbor Point, I notice my family standing on the other side of the room. Matteo has his arm slung over Dani, who is hella pregnant and looks absolutely adorable. Dominick has his arms wrapped around Peyton’s waist, glancing down at her like she’s his entire world. My mom is looking at her husband like he hung the damn moon.
I glance at Kane, who’s chatting about something work-related, and he looks over at me, granting me a small smile. I wonder if this is as good as it’s going to get for me—getting a smile from a man who will never love me the way my brothers love their wives.
The thought is both heartbreaking and depressing.
“Excuse me,” I choke out. “I need to use the ladies’ room.”
Kane’s brows furrow in confusion, but before he can question me, I slip out of his hold and go in search of the restrooms.
The engagement party is being held at Ocean Blue, a hotel that Kane’s company owns. It’s located just outside of Harbor Point, on the water, and I must admit, it’s a beautiful property.
After going to the bathroom and reapplying my lipstick, I head back out, but I must make a wrong turn somewhere because rather than end up back at the party, I find myself opening the door that leads to the beach.
The ocean breeze sends chills throughout my body, but I revel in the rare cool evening since South Florida doesn’t have enough of these types of nights.
I step out onto the deck and lean against the railing, inhaling the salty air. I close my eyes, and I’m taking a calming breath when a strong pair of arms wraps around me from behind, making me jump.
“Shh, it’s just me,” Kane says. “You seemed upset in there, and when I went in search of you and couldn’t find you, I got worried.”
“Don’t worry.” I chuckle humorlessly. “I’m not going anywhere. I have nowhere to go.”
Kane spins me around and looks down at me, his eyes trying to read me.
“What’s the matter?” he asks when he doesn’t find whatever it is he was looking for.
“Noth—”
“Don’t lie to me.”
His tone sounds like he actually wants the truth, so I decide to give it to him.
“I’m a closet romantic,” I admit with a small laugh. “I love weddings and romance books. I always thought when I got married, it would be for love. When I was little and my dad locked me in my room for being bad, I would play with my Barbies—the ones I kept hidden so my dad wouldn’t find them—pretendingshe met the man of her dreams and he swept her off her feet. They would fall in love and get married on the beach. It would be an intimate wedding with a red-and-black theme because I loved red roses. And only their closest friends and family would be there to witness them vow to love each other forever.
“Then, after a few years of traveling and enjoying each other’s company, they would have a half-dozen babies and live in a house on the beach, and he would love her more than anything in this world.”
My eyes fill with tears, and I turn away from Kane, not wanting him to see me so vulnerable. Thankfully, he lets me, and for the next few minutes, I quietly cry as I accept that my life will never be like my Barbies.
“I got you an engagement present,” he says.
“Another gigantic ring?” I half joke.
“No,” he says dryly. “The Pilates studio is yours.”
I spin around in shock. “What?” I gasp. “What do you mean, it’s mine?”
He pulls an envelope out of his tuxedo coat and hands it to me. “I had my legal team look over the contract, and the papers are ready to be signed, if this is what you want.”
