AllFreeNovel
Share Us
PROLOGUE
Betts
Ilifted my champagne flute to yet another toast to Naomi and Pierce's nuptials. I smiled and cheered, possibly a little bit louder than I should because this wasn't my first glass of champagne.
On the outside, I was thrilled for them. On the inside, I was happy for them as well, but I was also envious.
My three best friends had found true love and were living happily ever after, the dream I thought I'd achieved, but it had all been a lie.
Just over a year ago, I thought my life was perfect. I had a wonderful fiancé, my childhood best friend, Analyn, had moved to Las Vegas to room with me, and I had a great job with a supervisor who appreciated my work.
Today, all that was gone.
My fiancé was cheating on me, and he’d even hit on Analyn. Then I had to watch as she fell in love with her boss, Reed, and then they were married with a baby.
Through Analyn, I met Ruby and Naomi and watched as they too fell in love, got married, and both of them were expecting babies soon. As if that wasn’t bad enough, a few months ago, my company was sold and I was laid off.
I had a new job, thanks to Naomi, doing marketing for the Silver Nuggets’ minor-league hockey team. I couldn't complain too much because it paid better than my last job, which meant I didn't have to worry about my rent anymore.
But Naomi had made it seem like Todd Marshall, the owner of the team, was overly involved in the team's marketing. In my experience, however, he was detached from it. It was almost as if it didn't interest him anymore.
I couldn't decide whether that was a good thing because I was basically able to do whatever I wanted with little supervision, or a bad thing because perhaps Mr. Marshall's disinterest meant he was bored with the team and might sell it, which meant I could be laid off again.
I downed my drink and waved at a passing server who had a tray filled with flutes of champagne. When he stopped by, I took two glasses because it never hurt to have an extra glass in reserve.
"You sure like champagne."
I looked at the man sitting next to me. I’d practically forgotten he was there. Technically, he was my date, but as nice as he was, I just wasn't feeling it.
It was the classic “it’s me, not him” situation. I tried to appreciate Ruby setting me up with Pete, who she knew because he was her daughter, Laina’s, teacher, but it was difficult. Ever since my engagement went up in flames, I'd become increasingly numb to the world.
Because he was a nice guy and it wasn't his fault that I was a terrible date, I mustered a smile. "What's not to like?" I picked up one of the flutes, saluted him, and drank the bubbly liquid.
I watched as Analyn and Ruby chatted with Naomi, and I felt left out. But again, that was my own fault because I was sitting here drinking champagne like a woman dying of thirst instead of mingling about like they were.
They all turned to look at me, and I gave a slight wave. Ruby excused herself and made her way over to our table. I sat up straight and plastered on another smile so that they wouldn't know the truth of my misery.
"Are you guys having fun?" Ruby asked as she reached the table.
"Everything's been great. I was excited to hear that the event was going to be held here because on a teacher's salary, I don't think I'd ever be able to come here otherwise,” Pete said.
"You just have to fall in love with a billionaire,” I quipped.
Ruby’s head tilted to the side, and she arched a brow.
Oh, crap, did I say that out loud?I was never motivated by money. As long as I had enough to live, I was happy. But it didn't go unnoticed by me that my three friends had all married very wealthy men who were completely devoted to them.
"You okay, Betts?" Ruby asked.
I lifted up the other champagne glass. "I'm great. I'm so glad that Naomi and Pierce finally got their issues worked out."
Ruby had an expression that suggested she wasn't buying my comment, but she smiled and glanced over at Naomi and Pierce, who were now dancing. "I'm just glad the babies decided to wait until after today to be born."
Naomi did look like she was about to pop. Those triplets were taking up a lot of space.
I glanced up at Ruby. "How's little Buck?" I really needed to try harder to be happy and engaged with my friends, which was why I asked Ruby about her new son, Buck, born a few months ago.
Ruby's smile was as bright as any I'd ever seen. It matched the ones Naomi and Analyn always sported. "He's such a sweetie pie. And Laina is such a doting big sister."
