Page 101 of Betrayed in the Dark
“We do,” I cut him off, my gaze shifting away. “England was amazing. One of the best memories I’ll ever have. But I’m home now. And I’m getting married in…just a few days.” It’s a struggle to get the last part out, the reality of the situation hitting me harder than it should. I mean, I’ve had a year to prepare for this day, but now that it’s almost here, I feel like I’m counting down the hours until my funeral instead of what is supposed to be the happiest day of my life.
However, as I look back up, my eyes meeting Eli’s, I know I have to do this. I don’t have a choice.
He nods. “Well, why don’t we at least order some takeout and find a movie to watch?” I start to shake my head, opening mymouth to protest, knowing I have too much to get done, but he presses a finger to my lips. “I think you could use a night off. You barely got any sleep on the flight home.”
I let out a heavy breath, my shoulders falling just a fraction. “You’re right. I guess I could use a night to get over the jet lag.” I turn away from him and step into my house, the foyer engulfed in darkness. My heels clack on the floor as I walk across the marble. I pause to kick them off before reaching for the light switch. “I could go for some—”
“Surprise!”
Boom! Boom! Boom!
One moment, I’m standing barefoot in my entryway, and the next, I’m slammed against the wall with Eli’s body protectively in front of me and…confetti falling all around us.
“What the fuck?” My chest pants as Eli takes a step away, allowing me to see what’s behind him.
Scarlett and Alina stand before me with nervous smiles as Cressida stands between them, a massive grin across her face.
“Jesus.” I place my palm against my chest and laugh. “What the hell are you doing here?” I look back at my door. “And how did you get in here without my security system notifying me?”
“We’re stealing you for your bachelorette party!” Cressida exclaims, tossing more confetti in the air.
A bachelorette party…Fuck my life.
Scarlett steps forward, wrapping her arms around me. “Please don’t be mad. I know you didn’t want to do this,” she quickly whispers. “This was all Cressida. We couldn’t stop her.”
Ahh.I feign a smile as I drop my arms, looking between them. “What a surprise?”
“Well, you wouldn’t pick a date, so we picked one for you,” Cressida remarks.
“Alex helped us with sneaking in.” Alina steps forward, placing a white sash over my head and letting it rest against my shoulderas it crosses over my torso. I look down to see the word bride and cringe internally.Sorry,she mouths as she steps back.
For as far as the eye can see, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of balloons, streamers, and bachelorette party signs.
Bach that ass up
Same wiener forever
Big bach energy
Miss to Mrs.
Lead fills my stomach, weighing down every part of me.
“We might have gone a little overboard.” Scarlett surveys the space, crinkling her nose.
“No.” I shake my head. “No, it’s perfect. A nice, quiet girls’ night in is exactly what I need.”
Alina and Scarlett avoid making eye contact with me.
“What?” I ask, unease building inside me.
“We’re going out!” Cressida struts over to me in her short, sparkly gold dress. But right before she reaches me, she turns toward Eli and places a hand on his shoulder. The sight of her touching him makes me see red. “You have confetti on you,” she says with a smile as she pulls a piece from his shirt, letting her hand trail down his bicep.
He wipes a hand across his other shoulder as he takes a not-so-subtle step back.
“Well…” Cressida notices his movement and frowns before quickly masking her expression. Her pearly whites shine as she announces, “We’re going to Red Eleven, and then you three will spend the night at your family’s home in the Hamptons while I have a suite waiting for me at the Reform Club.”
I don’t even question why she wouldn’t just stay at my family’s house; honestly, I’d prefer that she doesn’t.
