Page 83 of The Sweetest Devotion

Me

Make me…

He didn’t respond after that and I tried not to let it bum me out.

“Since when do you smoke?” Elyse asked as she took in the cigarette resting between my fingers.

“Since I’m getting married,” I decided to say. Since my life wasn’t mine. Since I realized I needed to think of Keith to get through this night.

“Thisis why you should be fucking that delicious fiancé of yours,” Stephanie snapped, waving her hand to disperse the smell of my cigarette.

“Before someone else does,” Elyse warned.

Stephanie gasped and was quick to elbow Elyse.

“Doubt that’ll happen,” I responded dryly as I took another drag.

Elyse eyed me skeptically. “You think this act of keeping it from him will work in your favor?”

I thought I was getting the hang of smoking. Inhale. Satiate the nicotine flavor. Exhale. “My fiancé wants to fuckme. Even if some other woman was desperate enough to give it to him because I won’t, it wouldn’t compare to what he’s not getting from me.” I gave a limp shrug. “And if he steps out, he loses me, and he can’t have that.” I was nice enough not to blow smoke at her. “I’m the prize here.”

Elyse arched a brow as Stephanie laughed and slapped my arm. “Amen, girl!”

Oh fuck it.

This wasn’t worth it.

“Excuse me.” I stood up and bid them farewell before going back inside and joining Cain at our table.

My cigarette was still lit and I took one last pull. One last dose of peace.

“You don’t like those women,” Cain leaned close to say.

“You’re observant,” I said as I stubbed out my cigarette on the cement floor.

He tracked my movement, curious. “Thought smoking bothered you.”

“It’s something to do.”

Cain’s finger tapped along the tabletop. “Find something better to do to pass the time.”

I never intended to smoke again after tonight, but after that order, I was tempted to buy a whole carton of cigarettes.

“Anything else, Husband?” I put on a perky smile as I faced him.

Cain glanced back at my public friends and returned to me. “Why do you associate with them if you don’t like them?”

“It comes with the territory. Their parents know my parents. It’s just the way it is. I only hang out with them when I have to make appearances. My only true friend is my friend Jadyn.”

Cain was intrigued. “What makes her any different than those two?”

“She’s not from around here. She’sreal,” I pointed out.

Cain hummed. “You’refrom around here. Are you real?”

I snorted, leaning close, teasing. “No, I’m as fake as they come.”

Cain’s dark eyes very boldly ran down my figure, lingering in places he could only dream to touch. “Nah, there’s a lot real about you from what I see.”

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