An hour earlier…
Evangeline put together a gorgeous beach party for Ariel’s sendoff. The tropical buffet stretches along a table lit with hurricane lanterns, the scent of grilled pineapple and roast chicken wafting through the ocean breeze. Coconut shrimp in stacked in carved-out coconuts, mango ceviche in halved passion fruits, and colorful skewers of roasted plantains, bell peppers, and marinated pork. Bowls of jasmine rice sit beside trays of spicy crab cakes and lime mahi mahi. Even the fruit platter looks like a work of art—dragon fruit, papaya, and starfruit fanned out like a sunset.
A champagne tower sparkles next to a rum bar. It’s indulgent, lush, and completely over-the-top—just like Ariel deserves. She’s a lovely girl, and the one I first got to know here on the island.
I still adore her, but I suppose I’m closest to Sienna now.
Sienna has a pretty smile pasted on her face, and her hair—is it light brown or dark blond?—is tied into a high ponytail.She’s wearing a yellow-gold sundress that brings out the gold flecks in her eyes. Evangeline was right when she said gold was Sienna’s color. Her fingernails and toenails are painted a neutral brown this evening, but the first night, they were painted gold.
She’s talking to Ariel’s mother about something as Ariel and Jazz take their turns at the buffet before sitting down.
June and Heather are standing together, whispering about something. The two of them are clearly up to no good. But what do I care?
River and I are good.
Better than good.
He does love me, and though he’s far from happy that I fucked Sebastian—I’d truly take it back if I could—he still loves me.
I don’t know if I’ll be getting a proposal anytime soon, but he got me out of my blackmail situation and he loves me. That’s good enough for now.
Ariel’s mother joins her daughter and Jazz at the table, and Sienna walks away from the party. I follow her.
“Hey,” I say, grabbing her arm. “Are you all right?”
She sighs. “I’m fine. This is about Ariel tonight.”
“I know that. But it’s also about all of us. One of the billionaires is off the market.”
Sienna gives me a weak smile. “I’d say two are, given that smile on your face. You look radiant, Em.”
Do I? I suppose I’ve got a bloody ridiculous grin on. “We…worked things out.”
She nods. “I’m glad. Truly.”
“And you? Brett?”
She shakes her head. “You wouldn’t believe it if I told you.”
“Try me.”
She shakes her head again. “We should join the party. We’re the bridesmaids, after all. This is for Ariel. Not for my pity party.”
“Oh, See…”
She pastes the smile back on her face. “I’m good. Fake it until you make it, right?”
I look over at the others. Misty has appeared and is serving herself from the buffet. Heather and June are behind her. A moment later, everyone is at the table with the staff refilling water and champagne.
“Misty looks better,” Sienna says.
“She’s fine,” I say dryly. “They won’t miss us for a few. Tell me.”
“You won’t believe it.”
“You already said that,” I remind her.
She breathes in, holds it a moment, and lets the air out slowly. “Brett is apparently in love with…”
