Chapter 132
The next day, Eliza and I have our first fight.
It’s about who had the best date.
1。(45).
“You realize that you two essentially committed a felony, right?”
“And you two maimed a thirteen–year–old on his birthday.”
Eliza’s mouth drops open–and we burst into laughter.
A couple of the girls in the pavilion turn to us, their gazes curious and mildly annoyed.
But we don’t care. It’s like someone opened a bottle of champagne inside me, and the laughter bubbles out like effervescence.
Eliza sighs wistfully, laying her head against my shoulder. “He likes me, April.”
“I told you so,” I chuckle.
“Yes, but-” she grips my hand. “He talked about marriage and kids and the dynamics of parenting.”
“Peter?” I ask incredulously, unable to reconcile the wild, carefree manchild I know with the image of a responsible, family man.
She nods enthusiastically. “He wants to marry me, April.”
I bump my shoulder with hers. “As he should.”
“What are we talking about?”
Eliza and I look up as Lara slides onto the bench opposite us, looking gorgeous in a pale pink playsuit and huge Raybans pushing back her hair.
“Our dates,” Eliza giggles.
The megawatt smile that blooms on Lara’s face could power a small country for a whole year. “Did yours also end with you kicking your feet and dreaming about running through open fields?”
Eliza laughs. “Something like that.”
She glances around at the courtyard, taking in the girls. “Do you think they know?” She lowers her voice. “That they have no chance?”
In an ideal, perfect world, I would marry Nathan, Eliza would marry Peter and Lara…
I shake the thought away, along with the prickly feeling I get every time I think of Lara marrying Lucas.
“Ugh,” Eliza groans, pulling my attention back to her. “I’m so nervous about the last date selection.”
17:12 Fri, Oct 10 B.
Chapter 132
I nod. “Yeah. It sucked so bad when Nathan was out with Valerie.”
B
45
“Is it too much to hope they’ll pick us again?”
I snort. “I don’t think we could be that lucky.”
She sighs. “A girl can dream.”
“After we get married,” Lara says, “we could go on triple dates. Maybe weekly brunches.”
Eliza lets out a little squeal. “I don’t think I’ve ever been as excited for anything in my entire life.” She stretches a hand out to Lara as she grips mine. “I can’t wait to call you two sisters.”
Lara squeezes her hand. “I’ve always wanted sisters.”
I squeeze Eliza’s hand, too, even as my heart squeezes in my chest. Lara looks so content, so happy.
Like Eliza and me, she’s in love with her Ashford brother. Unlike Eliza and me, her Ashford brother has a tail and horns he keeps hidden from the world.
What if he reveals his monstrous proclivities after they’re married? What if he hurts her? It would all be on me. She doesn’t know the truth. I should warn her. Maybe she can-
“April?”
I blink at both girls, who are staring at me in mild confusion and worry.
“You good?” Lara asks.
1 let out a nervous, breathless laugh. “Yeah, I’m good.”
“Are you sure?” Eliza nudges me affectionately. “Tell us what’s on your mind.”
I should. I really should. But my tongue feels heavy, and my lips refuse to cooperate.
I shrug. “Like you said earlier, I’m nervous about the final selection.”
Lara smirks and leans in, gesturing for us to do the same. “Wanna know a little secret?” she asks, her eyes twinkling.
“Oooh, spill,” Eliza says.
“For the final dates, the heirs are choosing themselves.”
“Seriously?!” Eliza’s exclamation attracts more annoyed glances, and Lara hisses, “Shhhh.”
“Sorry,” Eliza stage whispers. “Seriously?”
Lara nods.
