“That’s a wager I’m willing to make,” Cornelia says as she waves me off toward my villa.
I’m either about to make the biggest mistake of my life, or the best decision ever. God, I hope it’s the latter.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Carly
I feel something in my face and bat it away. Ugh! Why did I drink so much again? Then I remember last night.
My eyes open to find Ava in front of me, and I scream.
Ava jumps.
“What’s wrong?” she says as my door flies open and Bray comes running in.
“What’s wrong?” he asks as he looks around wildly. Then his gaze lands on my face, and his eyes widen.
“Doesn’t Mommy look pretty?” Ava says.
I frown. What is she talking about?
I look down and scream again. Ava is holding a handful of markers. Oh no! No, no, no!
Leaping out of bed, I run into the bathroom.
“I saw Miss Cam using these eye markers,” Ava explains to Bray.
“Oh? Well, let’s let Mommy get ready. There are pastries downstairs. Why don’t you go have the juice and pasties I left out for you?” Bray says, and I hear Ava run downstairs.
I look in the mirror and grimace. There’s no way I can get this off my face.
I feel tears threaten. Bray walks up beside me, takes one look at my face, and pulls me into a hug.
“What am I going to do?” I say as I fight tears.
“You are going to have a coffee. I am going to get some alcohol wipes, and we are going to get that off your face,” he says as if the whole world isn’t imploding.
“Why do you make it sound so simple?” I grumble as I wipe a stray tear.
He pulls back and kisses the tip of my nose. “Because it’s that simple. Wait here, I’ll be right back,” he says as he ushers me to a chair in the bathroom.
I sit and try not to freak out. Tapping my leg nervously, I look out the window. It’s a beautiful day. I just need to pull myself together. The last thing I want to do is ruin Cam’s big day. I force myself to calm down. I’m just tired and overwhelmed thinking about that kiss with Brayden. We made out in the library for a long time and then some more back here at the villa last night. Eventually, I couldn’t keep my eyes open, so he carried me to bed.
I’ve stewed over my feelings for a good five minutes when he walks back in and closes the door.
“Ava is watching a movie on my tablet. I’ll help her get ready once we finish,” he says matter-of-fact. “Now, let’s fix your face.”
He smirks as he pulls out a bottle of rubbing alcohol and a small white cloth. He bends down and then stands again and clucks his tongue.
“I need you up here,” he says as he lifts me and plants me on the bathroom vanity as if I weigh nothing. I’m momentarily disoriented as I look around the room. I can’t remember the last time a man just lifted me up like that.
“Look up for me,” he commands.
I look up and watch his face as he begins to rub mine with the cloth. His dark eyes are transfixed on his task. He’s so handsome. I’ve always thought that, but being able to study him up close like this only confirms what I’ve felt for years. His touch is gentle but firm. We’re both quiet as he works, but then he begins to talk.
“My childhood best friend once drew on me with a marker. Her mom helped get it off my face and arms.” He chuckles as he remembers something.
“What?” I ask.
