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Her eyes widen as she lets out an excited squeal. “Oh wow, look, Blake, they have prince crowns too.”
He widens his eyes, and I smirk. Then he dips his chin and scratches his head nervously. “So they do.”
“You need one, Blake. It will be so cool. We’ll be likeBeauty and the Beast!”
I glance at him as he looks to me for help, but I won’t give it. “I think that’s a great idea, Starshine… try it on, Blake.”
He smirks, raising an eyebrow like he will have words with me later. “Okay, yeah, I can be the Beast,” he says, pulling the prince’s crown down from the rack and placing it on his head.
Well, well, well… I have to admit it suits him.
Hailee claps her hands together in excitement. “This is so cool, Blake. You’re thebest.”
She rushes forward, hugging him, and he smiles while hugging her back, which makes my insides melt.
How I wish this could be a forever thing.
Hailee adores Blake so much.
But little does she know that after tonight, I don’t know how this can keep going.
The thought making me unimaginably sad.
Hailee reaches out, grabs my hand, and pulls me toward the counter. “C’mon, Mommy, let’s pay, and then we can show Grandma.”
I let out a laugh. “Oh no, we’re not showing Grandma. She can see them when we walk into the reception.” I glance down at my watch. “Which we should be heading over for now. C’mon, Starshine, let’s pay for your crowns and head over.”
She rushes ahead for the counter as Blake steps up to my side. “Do I really have to wear this for the rest of the afternoon?”
I smirk. “Do you want to make Hailee happy?”
He inhales, looking at her. “Then I guess I’m the Beast for the rest of the day…” He snaps his head back to me and looks me in the eyes. “Hey, are we okay?”
Swallowing hard, I nod. “I just need to make it through the night, Blake, without having tough conversations. Can we do this later?”
His eyes meet mine, clear anxiety sweeping through them. “Yeah… whatever you need.” Blake exhales, then walks away from me to the counter, chatting and laughing with Hailee while paying for their crowns as I stand back, trying not to self-implode.
I just hope I can last the night because Lord knows the strain on me emotionally is huge, and seeing Blake being so fucking amazing with Hailee is making this so much harder.
How on earth am I going to give this beautiful man up tomorrow?
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Zoey
This is some pretentious, pompous bullshit.
I sip heavily on my champagne listening to the speeches about how amazing Tamara is and how incredible they are as a couple, so much so I zone out.
“… she’s a philanthropist in so many ways, and honestly, she is so great with children. I can’t wait to have our own babies,” Kyle states, almost making me gag as I return to the moment.
Tamara grins. “I can’t wait for that day. I mean, I’m already such a great mother to Hailee—”
I almost choke on my champagne, coughing, and spluttering at her words, making everyone turn to look at me as I bring a napkin to my mouth. My face turns red with embarrassment. “Sorry, please, continue…”Withthis absolute horse shit, I want to add on. But I contain myself as Blake smirks, obviously understanding that I’m on severe struggle street.
Bringing the glass to my lips again, I take another long sip, emptying the glass in one fell swoop, needing the liquid courage to get through this damn shitshow playing out right in front of me. Not only because the crap they’re talking about is pissing me off, but also because this—whatever ‘this’is—with Blake is eating at me. Seeing someone like Kyle getting a happily ever after while I am stuck in some limbo with Blake makes me feel weird.
Resentful maybe?
