Page 32 of The Billionaire and His Forever

Deep breath in, deep breath out. This is it. We’ll either make up and she’ll accept my invitation to be my maid of honor, or we won’t, and she won’t…but either way, I’ll have my answer. I’ll know where we stand. No more endless agonizing over it.

She picks up in the middle of the first ring. My heart is pounding wildly in my chest, my stomach clenched, my eyes squeezed shut.

“Abbie Abbie Abbie, I’m so sorry, I was wrong, I love you, don’t hate me,” she blurts.

I’m so wound up, all I can do is let out a breathless laugh.

“Is that a…‘you are a ridiculous human and there’s no way I’ll ever forgive you’ laugh?” she asks. “Or a ‘you are a ridiculous human and there’s no way I won’t forgive you’ one?”

“The second one, you silly goose,” I tell her, swiping at the tears gathering in my eyes. “Definitely the second.”

“I’ve been following the news some more, and yeah. I jumped too soon. I’m so sorry about what happened to Graham, and I should have believed you. I just wanted to protect you, and I was fearing the worst. I’ve read too many domestic thrillers with evil husbands, I guess. I’m an ass.”

“No, you’re really not,” I tell her. “I know how bad it looked. I just wish it had played out differently, but…life’s like that sometimes.”

“So you forgive me? I’ll never pull that tough love bullshit on you again, I swear. I should have stood by you, and I wanted to call you, but I was scared you hated me.”

“Never. And of course I forgive you,” I say.

“Good. We’ve been friends for so long now that I forgot what my life was like without you. And it really, really sucks. Now catch me up on all the things, and I’ll catch you up on mine.”

“Okay. But I have a favor I need to ask you first. Something really big.”

I’m nervous all over again, so I walk over to the pool steps and sit down to dip my feet in the cool water. It’s one thing for Amanda to say she was wrong about Graham, but entirely another to expect her to support me in marrying someone accused of attempted murder. I take a deep breath, but I can’t make the words come out.

Off my hesitation, Amanda gently says, “Hey. Abbie. I’m your best friend. Whatever it is, just ask.”

So I tell her about the fairy-tale proposal Graham and Jude arranged for me, how we’re in the midst of planning a quickie private wedding, how I haven’t even found a dress yet, and how I can’t imagine anyone else in the world as my maid of honor—

“Yes, yes, a thousand times yes! I’d love to!” Amanda jumps in. “God, I’m so happy for you! I can’t wait!”

“Me either.” I wipe my cheeks and take a steadying breath. “Graham already arranged a private car to pick you up tomorrow morning. The dress code is, wear whatever you want, as long as you feel fancy in it. You’ll stay here at the house with us and we’ll have so much fun.”

“It’s going to be so good to see you again!” she gushes. “I’ve missed you so much this summer. Seeing you once isn’t enough.”

“I know. It hasn’t been the same without you.”

“Okay, I better go pack. Tell Graham I said thank you for the ride and text me the details when you get a minute. Mwah!”

We say our goodbyes and part of me feels sad when we hang up, but I know I’ll see her soon. She’ll stand by my side as I marry my love, and everything will be perfect. Except for one tiny little thing. I still need a dress.

I find Jude in the kitchen, chatting away with Graham and Mary about the flower crowns she’s going to make for the horses to wear at the wedding. Graham greets me with a quick kiss on the temple, and Jude lets out a cheer. Mary laughs and tells her to calm down.

“I’ll leave you ladies to finish up planning the menus, then. I’m going to be swamped in meetings for the rest of the day, I’m afraid,” Graham says.

“That’s actually perfect, because today we need to go shopping to find the perfect dresses.” I crook a finger at Jude, who squeals with glee. “We’re on a tight timeline, after all.”

“Yes! Dress day!” Jude exclaims. “Can we go now? I’m already ready.”

Graham arranges for Ronaldo to pull the car around front so that Jude and I can be driven into town, and then excuses himself. Jude runs to get her shoes.

“Do you want to come with us?” I ask Mary, suddenly feeling very overwhelmed. “My mom and dad are on vacation, so my mom can’t make it, and my best friend won’t be here until tomorrow. I’d love another opinion. Of course, I completely understand if you’re too busy.”

Mary flushes. “I would be honored, Abbie! I don’t have any children of my own, so I never thought I’d be able to experience this. Let me go change and fix my hair, so I don’t look like a mess while you try on those stunning dresses. I’ll be quick.”

She hurries off and meets me and Jude in the foyer a few minutes later, tugging at her hair. Glancing down at her jeans and checked shirt, she asks, “Do I look okay?”

“You look like a regular person!” Jude says, staring at her. “I’ve never seen you in real clothes before. You look great!”

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