Page 70 of Strictly Pretend

I stifle a laugh at that one. Mostly because the look on Jemima’s face is priceless. But also, because it doesn’t hurt one bit thinking about it.

He’s out of my system. The whole thing is. I’m so happy about that. I go to pick up my phone to message Brooks to tell him, because he’s the only person who would understand. But then I put it down again, because seriously? Why would he care?

Jemima huffs and walks away, and Mia grins at me again. “You should have a book-themed bachelorette party. It would be so cute.”

“Yeah,” I say. “We could all go to the library, choose a book, and read quietly for six hours.”

We both laugh but then my phone beeps. I haven’t heard from Brooks since earlier when they were on their way to the casino, but my lips curl anyway. I like him texting me.

I likehim.

I let out a sigh. That’s a problem for another day. Still, I’m stupidly eager as I lift the phone up, only to feel that excitement drift away when I see the message isn’t from Brooks at all. It’s from an unknown number.

I need to talk to you. Meet me in the library in ten minutes. – Will

I stare at it for a little too long.

“What’s up?” Mia asks. “Is it your granddad?”

I shake my head. I spoke to him this morning when we were waiting for our first spa treatment. “No, it’s nothing,” I say quickly, typing out a reply.

No thank you. – Emma

Thinking that will be the end of it, I go to put my phone back on the coffee table next to my sunbed, but then it buzzes again. Can’t the man take no for an answer?

Either you come and listen to what I have to say, or I’ll do it in front of everybody tonight. – Will

I let out a sigh, and Mia gives me a quizzical look. “It’s nothing,” I tell her again. “I’m just going to head to the bathroom.”

“Am I boring you?” she teases.

“Of course not.” I give her a vague smile, because I’m trying not to look furious. There’s no way I want to talk to Will, but I definitely don’t want him making a scene tonight. Not when it’s the eve of Cassie’s wedding. “I’ll be right back.”

“Make sure you are.” She blows me a kiss and grabs her own phone, scrolling through it. I pull my cover up over my head and slide my feet into my flip flops, mouthing over to Cassie that I’ll be right back before I walk over to the path that leads to the main ranch house.

It’s deserted when I push the back door open. I pass the guest bathroom we’ve been using all day and walk down to the front of the house, trying to remember where the library is from Cassie’s whirlwind tour.

Luckily – or unluckily – Will chooses that moment to open the door. “There you are,” he says. “Come in here.”

“You’re not going to murder me, are you?” I ask. “Because I’ve seen all those true crime documentaries.”

“Of course I’m not. I’m here to help you,” he says, closing the door behind him and putting his back against it, as though he’s afraid I’ll try to escape.

For the second time in ten minutes, I try to stifle a laugh. When has this man ever helped me?

But then I look around the room and just having books surrounding me makes me feel relaxed. This is the kind of library a beast would give to a beauty. Three walls are filled with leather-bound books, embossed with gold writing. There’s even a ladder on wheels to help you reach the highest shelves.

“Did you know this isn’t the first time your fiance’s been engaged?” Will says, not bothering with any niceties.

“Sorry?” I frown. And he smiles, because I’ve made it obvious that I didn’t know.

“No,” he says, his voice soft. “I’m the one who’s sorry. I’m sorry to be the one bringing bad news to you.”

“I don’t understand,” I say, hating the way my heart is suddenly pounding against my chest. “Why would it matter that he used to be engaged?”

I admit that I feel a bit hurt. I told him all about Will and our messed up relationship. That would have been the perfect time for him to tell me he was engaged once. It’s a reminder of how fake this whole situation is.

“I guess the fact of the engagement matters less than the reason they broke up. That’s what I found out today. I’ve spent a very enlightening afternoon talking to his ex.”

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