That’s exactly what Damien wanted. And exactly what makes this so dangerous.
DAMIEN: See you at rehearsal dinner tomorrow, old friend. I’ll try not to ruin the surprise.
I delete the messages. Close my eyes. Force myself to breathe—that old, unnecessary habit that grounds me in the rhythms of a life I no longer live.
Tomorrow. Whatever he’s planning, it happens tomorrow night.
I need to be ready.
CHAPTER 16
POPPY
My phone hasn’t stopped buzzing since the beach.
I’m in our suite, trying to do my makeup for dinner, but Sage has decided that sleep is for people who aren’t witnessing their best friend’s life become a telenovela in real time.
SAGE: POPPY ROSE GABLE
SAGE: I just watched that video FOURTEEN TIMES
SAGE: FOURTEEN
SAGE: The way he CARRIED you into the water
SAGE: The way he LOOKED at you
SAGE: That was not fake boyfriend behavior
SAGE: That was REAL boyfriend behavior
SAGE: I need you to explain immediately
I set down my mascara and type back.
ME: It’s complicated
SAGE: COMPLICATED
SAGE: That kiss did not look complicated
SAGE: That kiss looked like two people who forgot cameras existed
SAGE: Also your comments are INSANE right now
SAGE: “Preston could never” is trending
SAGE: Someone made a side-by-side of Julian carrying you vs Preston carrying Serenity’s yoga mat
SAGE: Julian is winning
Laughing feels wrong, but I laugh anyway. Something feels oh so good about the whole thing.
Julian is winning. And I love the fact that Preston has a front-row seat to it all.
ME: Okay fine
ME: It’s not fake anymore
