Page 46 of Bad Boy Done Wrong
Chapter Twelve
Carrie was a nervous wreck. She had to pull herself together before her parents’ vow renewal ceremony. She was only partially ready, had to leave in twenty minutes, and couldn’t make any decisions. “Ally! Help!” she hollered from her bedroom.
Ally burst in, eyes wide. “What’s wrong?”
“Which earrings look better?” She had one silver hoop and one pearl earring in.
Ally walked over and flicked her on the arm.
“Ow!” She rubbed her arm.
“Don’t scream help unless it’s an emergency. You ever hear of the boy who cried wolf?”
“Look at me.” She held up her shaking hands. “I’m falling apart.”
“Geez, sit down.” Ally grabbed her by the wrist and dragged her to sit on the bed. “You look smoking hot in that dress.”
Carrie glanced down at the white off-the-shoulder dress that cinched in at the waist. It was new. Somehow she couldn’t muster any enthusiasm for her outfit. “Thanks,” she mumbled.
“Hey, you’re going to be fine,” Ally said firmly. “Just be polite to Edward and then ignore him. You’ve both moved on.”
Carrie crossed her arms, hugging herself. “It’s not just that. Well, it is, but now I’m thinking I made a big mistake inviting Zach. My parents are going to meet him. They’re going to ask about him later and wonder why he’s not around anymore.”
“Are you definitely not seeing him after this?”
“Yes. He found out he got the job in Singapore. He leaves right after Christmas for two years. That’s halfway around the world! Besides, this was only supposed to be a short-term thing. He even said he doesn’t do long-term.” She pressed a hand to her churning stomach. “I feel a little sick just talking about it.”
“So what’s wrong with seeing each other for a few months before he leaves?”
“It’ll just make the goodbye harder. Anyway, it’s not a real relationship. Just a lot of sex. We barely speak to each other.” Well, that wasn’t exactly true anymore. Now that they slept in the same bed, they talked before they fell asleep. And at breakfast too.
Was this a relationship?
No. It felt too easy. They were just having some fun together. It wasn’t like they talked about anything that deep. Zach had been telling her about Indonesia, sounding very much like the tour guide he was.
She could feel herself getting worked up again about seeing her ex. “There’s so many opportunities for this to go wrong! What if Edward’s a jerk to Zach? What if Zach gets mad and tells him off?”
Ally rubbed Carrie’s arm. “That wouldn’t be so bad. He’d be defending your honor. Like a knight in shining armor.”
“This isnota fairy tale.”
Ally spoke gently. “I’m sure no one is going to make a scene at such a special occasion. Just think of your parents’ happiness. Be there for them.”
She immediately felt calmer. It was in her nature to take care of other people. That was what made nursing such a good fit for her. “Thanks for the pep talk. You’re right. Today isn’t about me.”
Ally stood. “Tell your parents congratulations for me. Now hurry up and get ready.” She left.
Carrie headed for the bathroom, taking extra care with her hair and makeup. She felt so petty, but she had to show Edward that she’d moved on and was doing fine. Look what you missed out on! Who cares that you’re about to marry someone younger and more beautiful than me? Not that she’d seen the woman, but the way her mom had sounded so sympathetic when she’d told Carrie about her, she was sure she was gorgeous. Who cares? Their sex life probably sucked.
A short while later, the doorbell rang. Ally got to it first. “Omigod! You look so different! Carrie, Zach’s here!”
She rushed to the living room. “Hi! Omigod is right!”
Zach ducked his head, smiling almost shyly. “I told ya I’d clean up.”
She approached slowly, her heart thumping hard at the shocking transformation. He’d gotten a haircut, short with some spiky layers on top, his beard and mustache short in a neat trim, his tall lean frame in a dark gray suit with a crisp white shirt and gray tie. It wasn’t that he lookedbad. He looked very handsome. Just nothing like the alpha bad boy she knew.
He leaned down to her ear, his hand cupping her shoulder. “You look beautiful.”
