Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 79670 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 319(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79670 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 398(@200wpm)___ 319(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
“This is going to be so much fun,” Max says, clapping his hands. “You know this kills him, right?” He points at Matthew.
“Be quiet, you,” Matthew scolds. “Tyler.” He nods at him. “Well played.”
“Likewise,” Tyler replies to him, and I feel Romeo behind me as he wraps his arms around my chest.
“And you said they wouldn’t get along,” Romeo says, and I almost kill him here in the middle of the foyer.
“I said it would be hectic,” I mumble between clenched teeth.
“Can you imagine the wedding?” Tyler says, and I’m the only one who moans.
“I’m going out before you do something like propose to me, and I have to kick your ass,” I threaten Romeo, who grabs my hand, and I swear I stop breathing. “Romeo.”
He laughs and pulls me in his arms, everything gone when he holds me. All I feel is happiness. “Thank you,” he says, and I look up at him, “for loving me.”
EPILOGUE ONE
GABRIELLA
One year later
“Knock, knock, knock.” I turn my head and look over at the bathroom door, smiling when I see my dad.
“Hey,” I say, turning back to face forward again as the hairstylist continues to curl my hair. “Don’t you look dapper,” I compliment, looking in the mirror at my father, who wears a black suit and tie. We are in a rental house in Hollywood, and my whole family has flown out to support him. It’s been the craziest fucking week of my life, with having everyone here and making sure that everything was perfect for him for today. I was out of my mind. After this, we are going on the annual summer trip, so it’s double time with my family.
He smiles at me as the hairstylist puts down the curler and sprays my hair with hairspray. She uses her fingers to run through it. “That should be good until it’s time to leave.” She smiles at me before she walks out of the bathroom, going to check on the rest of the family who are scattered in this twenty-bedroom home that everyone has come to get ready at. Whoever decided this was a good idea was wrong. There is commotion everywhere. I literally almost had a panic attack, so I set myself up in the bathroom alone so I can just calm my nerves.
“How’re you holding up?” my father asks, and I put my hand on my stomach. The soft satin robe I’m wearing feels cold to the touch.
“Like I’m going to throw up,” I admit honestly. “I’m so nervous for him.” I look at the bathroom door to make sure Romeo isn’t lurking around. Tonight is the official screening of Undercover Mule. The movie Romeo directed and produced. The one he poured his whole heart into.
“Meanwhile, he’s out there pacing to make sure you are okay.” He chuckles and puts his hands in his pockets. “You love him, right?”
I stare at my father, not sure where this is coming from. “I do,” I tell him.
I watch my father and see something in his eyes. “He broke your heart?” I don’t know if he’s asking me or telling me. My heart is speeding so fast in my chest that I don’t know what to say. “You knew him when you first lived in LA.”
“What?” I say in more of a whisper than anything else. My mouth goes dry.
He shakes his head and looks down before looking up. “Your mother told me not to bring it up, but you know me.” He looks over at the door, making sure it’s just the two of us, but Romeo is walking into the room.
He comes to the bathroom and looks at me, a smile on his face that fades when he sees the look on my face. “What’s going on?” he questions, his eyes going to my father’s and then coming back to mine.
“I was just asking Gabriella about something,” my father says, looking at Romeo. “A couple of months ago, you mentioned her apartment in LA, which confused me since you met after she moved to Dallas. It got me thinking that maybe something was there.” He looks back at me. “So I was asking her if you broke her heart.”
“I did,” Romeo confirms right away at the same time that I say, “He didn’t.”
I look up at the ceiling and really wish I could put my hands on my face, but with the makeup I have on, I don’t. “I made a mistake by letting her go,” Romeo says to my father. Out of all days for this to happen, why does it have to be today?
“The question is, will you do it again?” my father asks.
“I would die for her,” Romeo vows. “I will spend the rest of my life trying to right my mistake.”
“Hold on a second,” I interrupt, getting off the chair and walking over to Romeo’s side. “We both made mistakes.” I slip my hand in Romeo’s and smile up at him. “But that is ours and only ours.” I look back at my father. “He’s who I’m going to stand beside today and always.”