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“I’m ecstatic,” I said with forced delight.
Marisa chuckled. “All right, I’ll let you go so I can handle the reporters asking for your husband’s name. I’ll call you if anything comes up. Until then, enjoy your vacation.”
We said our goodbyes and I stared at my phone, tempted to search myself on the internet to see what popped up about last night. I’d learned the hard way just to ignore everything. Sometimes it was easier said than done. Reading some of the things people posted about me online was infuriating, but that was how the world worked. People got off on drama.
Groaning, I flopped back onto the bed and closed my eyes. I missed California and the simple two-bedroom apartment I used to share with Reagan before she moved in with Braden. Those times almost seemed like a dream. I’d give anything to turn back the clock. However, I wouldn't see it through if I really had the magic to do that. Reagan and my brother were happily married and in love; I wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize that. Their home was beautiful, and it made me contemplate purchasing my own place, somewhere hidden away like theirs.
Staying at my apartment was going to be a nightmare. There was no privacy with so many neighbors. I’d dealt with the lack of privacy for years, but now that my career had skyrocketed, I would need more space. Also, it wasn’t comforting to know that anyone could just show up at my place.
A knock rapped on the door and I jumped up, my stomach coiling in knots. Or was it butterflies? Hell, I don’t know. Ethan has always made me feel crazy. Knowing my luck, it would be him at the door. I hurried over and peeked out the peephole, letting out a huge breath when I saw it was just Reagan. My body relaxed and I opened the door. There was a glow about her, and a part of me envied her.
“Hey, Mrs. Newlywed. How does it feel to be an Emerson now?”
She walked in, looking sophisticated in a gray sweater dress with knee-high black boots. It was different for her, and I liked it. Even her caramel-blonde hair was curled in loose waves down her back. As an MMA fighter, her wardrobe usually consisted of workout clothes. This new look suited her.
“It feels amazing,” she said in a singsong voice.
I waved a hand up and down her body. “Why are you all dressed up?”
Reagan beamed. “Braden and I want to take a honeymoon. We decided it last night after our second round of—”
“Whoa, stop there,” I said, holding up a hand. “I don’t need to hear about that, especially when it involves my brother. I’d be all up for hearing the juicy details if it were some other guy.”
Reagan laughed. “Okay, I won’t disgust you with talks of how amazing the sex was last night.”
Slamming my hands over my ears, I chimed the word, “La-la-la-la-la,” over and over. Finally, I winked and smacked her arm when I figured I got my point across. “I’m just kidding. You know you can talk to me about anything.”
Reagan draped her arm over my shoulders. “I know. That’s why I love you. And now you’re officially my sister.”
I side-hugged her and let her go. “Yes, we are. Our mothers got what they wanted; our families are finally connected.”
Their goal before we were all born was to have a son and daughter get married. They got their wish. They’d be thrown for a loop if they knew their other son and daughter just had casual sex for the fun of it.
“So, where are you going for your honeymoon?” I asked, shaking my head to get thoughts of Ethan out of my mind.
Reagan walked over to the window and peered down at the bustling city below. “We’re going to Colorado to do some snowmobiling. He thinks he’ll get me on the slopes, but I don’t ski. I tried snowboarding once and—”
“You broke your butt bone,” I said, finishing her sentence and giggling simultaneously. “Yeah, I remember. You were with your brother and sister. I still have the pictures you sent me of you sitting on a heart-shaped pillow because you needed the extra cushion.”
Reagan shook her head and sighed. “That was not fun. My ass hurt for weeks.”
I remembered the pictures she sent of Ethan while they were on that trip. He and Emma had just turned sixteen. Their parents had taken them on that ski trip as a birthday present. It was the first time I’d noticed how cute Ethan was. I was twelve at the time and at the age where I didn’t think boys were gross anymore.
They lived about seven hours away from us, so I didn’t see them all the time. But when we did meet up, Ethan didn’t pay much attention to me. A four-year age difference is substantial when you’re kids. There’s no way in hell that a sixteen-year-old Ethan would ever see a twelve-year-old girl as anything but annoying and immature. Plus, I spent most of my teenage years traveling around the world for my acting career. So I grew up away from everyone.
Nevertheless, I still made time for Reagan. My one goal in life was not to let my fame change me. My mother said she’d kick my ass if I ever let it. She was a former bantamweight champion, which was enough to scare me into obeying her when I was younger. When she wasn’t traveling with me, she was helping train Reagan.
I focused back on her and smiled; we weren’t just best friends now . . . we were sisters. “Well, I know you and my brother will have fun on your honeymoon. Do our parents know you guys are married yet?”
Groaning, Reagan rested her forehead against the window. “Yeah, they’re a little salty, but they’re not surprised. I know my dad would’ve loved to walk me down the aisle. But, at least he got to do it with Emma.”
“True. But they’re okay with it?”
Reagan grinned back at me. “They’re fine. Although I’m sure Braden and I will hear snarky comments about it for the rest of our lives.” Before I could reply, her gaze shifted over to my suitcase. “Are you checking out?” There was concern on her face when she focused back on me. “Please tell me you’re not going home alone.”
I rolled my eyes. “I’ll be fine. I have my ballcap and sunglasses. No one will recognize me.”
Reagan crossed her arms over her chest. “Are you driving or flying?”
