Page 52 of Worth Loving You

She snickered, “Ain’t that the truth.”

“I don’t know how long this is going to last, but I want to enjoy it while I can. I don’t love him, but it’s nice to be appreciated and valued, and not have to worry about my bills being paid. He’s giving me a freedom to just live, for the first time in my life.”

She reached out and twined our fingers, giving a gentle squeeze.

“I’m important to someone,” I whispered, my nose burning with emotions. “It’s not love, but it’s just as good to me. I’ve never been beautiful to a man. I’ve never been valued by one. So yeah, yeah, I’m okay with the dynamics of this relationship. And if the time ever comes when I’m not, I walk away. Until then, I’m just relieved someone thinks this world is actually better with me in it, not worse.”

A weak smile started to curl her lip but fell, her attention darting over my head. Craning my neck, I found Wyatt hovering right behind me, his expression odd.

“Yeah?”

He was huffing, his nostrils flaring to his breaths, his sight searching my features.

“What?”

He closed his lids and pinched the bridge of his nose, clearing his throat. “Uh, the boss just called, he’s flying home early. He wants you dressed and ready to go out to dinner by six.”

I blinked. “Okay?”

“So, we have to go, princess.”

Groaning, my shoulders slumped forward as I pushed myself to my feet. “Ready?”

“Yeah.”

“Hey…you…ahem. You wanna give me another makeover tonight?”

She grinned and clapped her hands. “Heck yeah!”

Motioning with my head, we rounded the sectional, pointing and comparing other living room sets while weaving through the store to the exit.

No, I didn’t love Milo, but I appreciated him. I respected him, and as long as he made me feel like I was the most beautiful woman in the world, someone he cherished and was proud to be with, I could settle for a life of luxury rather than love.

Love was overrated, anyway. When I looked at what Jennifer was going through, the hurt, the apprehension, the ups and downs, highs and lows between happiness and betrayals, I was glad I didn’t love Milo. Why would I want to ruin something that had potential to be beautiful by adding feelings to the mixture?

I was good. It was unorthodox and not ideal, but I was going to make this work. I didn’t want love. Love was fickle. Who needed that?

Chapter 20

Chastity Monroe

Stunned. I was…stunned at my reflection in the mirror in Milo’s bathroom. My heart thumping erratically, I gingerly touched my hair that fell in thick waves around my shoulders, the light catching the brand new honeyed highlights that complemented my pale complexion.

Leaning forward, I batted my heavily mascaraed lashes to inspect the smokey eyeshadow that was flawless. My cheeks pink with the slightest touch of blush, my lips had never looked so plump and full with the light beige lipstick Jennifer put on, the shiny gloss making them stand out.

The dress she had picked was made of black satin. The top resembled a blouse with a collar, long sleeves, and buttons down to the thin belt that wrapped around high on my waist. It tied in a knot, the straps dangling over the flowy, pleated skirts that cascaded just below my knees with a slit that went diagonally from my left knee to my right hip, giving a hint at my thighs without revealing.

My legs were freshly shaved, shimmering with lotion that had a slight tint, my feet in stilettos that wrapped around my ankles to the bottom of my calves.

“Wow.”

Jennifer snorted, tossing the brush to the counter in the bathroom. “Pardon my language, but no shit.”

Doing a doubletake, I looked at her in the mirror, surprised she cursed.

“Dang, Chazzy. All this time.”

“What?”