Total pages in book: 141
Estimated words: 133213 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 666(@200wpm)___ 533(@250wpm)___ 444(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 133213 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 666(@200wpm)___ 533(@250wpm)___ 444(@300wpm)
“Everything we can.” Kenzie moved over to the elegant buffet table where the owner of this gorgeous venue had set out light snacks and champagne to be shared with her bridesmaids.
Carys had asked a secondary spread be made available in the room she’d set her bridesmaids up in. Now that she thought about it, it was kind of a bridezilla move. “I’m sorry I shut you out.”
“I understand, but you need to think about why you’re doing it.” Tasha was always the voice of reason while Kenzie popped the cork on the champagne. “This is supposed to be a joyous day. Not something you survive.”
It looked like the most practical of her cousins was going to push her. “Aidan thinks this is the way to go, and I can’t let him down. Of course I have mixed emotions. I know everyone thinks I should push the wedding again, but the third time’s the charm. How close are you to magically fixing the problem so Tristan could potentially come home if he wanted to? Or am I asking for classified intel?”
“You know he works for other teams.” Kenzie handed her a glass and poured one for herself and her sister. “Cooper and Zach do, too, but only occasionally. I think Tristan’s gotten in deep.”
Tasha sighed. “I don’t think anyone would care if I gave you a projected date if I had one. I don’t. The case is ongoing and serious. I only recently learned how serious. There’s a reason for him to stay away from you.”
She’d thought this over a million times. Whenever she would go to a family function and see he wasn’t there, she’d asked the question. When Tristan sent her flowers or long letters where he told her how much he loved her, how much he missed her but didn’t mention why he had to stay away, she’d asked this question. “Then he should have talked to me. He should have sat down and explained to Aidan and me why he chose this path and why he thinks we can’t handle whatever damage he thinks he’s going to take. I’m not some naïve, coddled child, Tash. I’m not some security expert, but I know how to duck, and I take it all seriously.”
“He’s being overly cautious,” Kenzie said, sitting down, careful to not wrinkle her dress.
“I don’t know about that,” Tasha hedged. “I think this might be much more dangerous than he’s letting on. I know Dad is concerned. But there’s no question in my mind he still loves Carys.”
“Just not enough to let me stand beside him.” Carys took a long breath. There was something they weren’t considering. “Guys, you want me to wait, but he doesn’t. Tristan made it clear Aidan and I shouldn’t wait for him anymore. He asked us to go through with it this time. We’re here today because Tristan wants us to be.”
It hurt more than she’d imagined. After she’d read his text from an unknown number months and months ago, she’d blocked him and changed her number and then blocked him again.
I love you so much, baby. I miss you. My heart isn’t whole without you, and it will kill me to know you’re saying I do to only Aidan. But it’s not forever.
Then tell me why.
Because I have to protect you.
By staying away from me for years? You don’t want a wife. You want a piece of property. I’ll marry Aidan but don’t text me again.
She had the messages memorized. She’d hoped they would fade in her brain after she’d deleted all of them, but nope. They were engrained there. “I know he thinks he still loves me, but it’s not enough. Honestly, I think it was always going to happen this way. We were together for so long. It was inevitable at least one of them would need to see more of the world.”
“He’s not interested in other women,” Kenzie said.
“Around you he’s not.” Carys took a sip of champagne. It would be better once the ceremony was over. It was what she told herself. She would get through the ceremony, say I do, and then the party would happen and she would know it was done and there was no more potential, no more chances he would change his mind. She would start her life with Aidan and it would be okay. “Of course he doesn’t want to piss off his family, but honestly, this is an excellent way to get out of a relationship he doesn’t want anymore.”
“He’s not trying to get out of the relationship.” Kenzie sat back. “But I understand why you would think it’s possible. He’s very secretive. I know a little about what’s happening, but he’s holding out on all of us. He doesn’t want us to talk about it with anyone, even his family.”