AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Please.” She held up a hand. “Forgive me for my breakdown. Let’s forget it happened and enjoy the wedding.”
Chad couldn’t just forget that she’d cried and then admitted it was him that had made her cry. He couldn’t imagine anything more horrific than being the cause of Hope’s pain.
Hope twisted the door handle, pushed the door open, and slid into her room. She gave him a sad smile, and then she closed the door in his face.
Chad stood there, feeling like he’d been gut punched. He trudged down the hall to the suite he stayed in when he visited the castle. If only he had some task to accomplish, or even better, someone to spar with. He shouldn’t have let Ray talk him into vacation time. Sitting in a suite and waiting to escort Hope to a wedding she didn’t want to be at sounded miserable.
Wondering what he’d done wrong and why she wouldn’t let him make it right was a form of torture he experienced too often with her. How could he change her mind? He worried that it was impossible.
ChapterFive
Hope could not believeshe’d let Chad see her cry and then admitted it was him she was crying over and there was nothing he could do about it. Reckless didn’t begin to describe her lowering her barriers and breaking down in front of Chad like that.
That look on his face. That determined, concerned, loving look. As if he was her hero and could right her every wrong. He wouldn’t give up until he made her fall for him. She was sure of that.
If only his lack of commitment to her or to any one woman wasn’t the wrong he’d committed. Because he couldn’t right that. Why did he have to keep claiming he wanted to be with her and only her? It was such a farce. Part of her wanted to tell him exactly why she’d shut him down three years ago and insisted on being friends ever since. But he’d only try to charm her and talk his way out of it. She could not handle that. He’d broken her heart in two, and obviously she still wasn’t healed if seeing the doubt in his best friend’s eyes and witnessing someone like Lexi flirt with him could destroy her so easily.
She walked out onto her balcony. The scene below was the courtyard for the wedding and a yawning drop-off to the verdant valley beyond the castle walls. She watched the workers getting everything ready. They were efficient and working hard, but not frantic or stressed. In her experience, that meant their employers were understanding and paid well, but expected quality.
Their bosses were the royals of Augustine, and she was in a royal castle. Even with how well she knew Chad, it felt surreal and unimaginable to be here.
Chad.
How easily she could picture those mesmerizing emerald eyes, the charming smile on his handsome face, his fit body, his enticing and seemingly sincere lines. How could she know if he was genuine? Did he have it in him?
Ugh! She was tempted to go hide behind her eighty-hour work week and the stack of emails she needed to respond to. She’d promised herself she’d take this break. It was needed, even if her heart was being wrenched by ‘Charming Chad.’
Hope looked out at the gorgeous view of the valley and mountains beyond, then wandered back inside the beautiful suite. Starting the tub, she determined she would let her mind and body take a break. She’d soak until it was time to get ready for the wedding.
Faith returned as she was wrapping in a soft fleece robe. Hope listened as she gushed about exploring with Kiera. Apparently they hadn’t been content with the gardens, so Kiera had talked two ‘incredibly hot’ royal guards into taking them on a hike in the forest where Kiera had shown off doing crazy tricks through the trees for Lieutenant Mason Henson while Faith chatted with Captain Levi Favor. According to Faith, the dark-haired, swoony captain was ‘the most intriguing and beautiful man’ on the planet.
It was fabulous that Faith was so excited about her adventure and this handsome royal guard she’d met. It was also a relief that her sister didn’t notice that Hope’s eyes were red rimmed and she was probably being too quiet.
They wandered into the large walk-in closet and both gasped at the dresses and shoes and wraps and purses. Faith knew all about the cut and design and fabric and who designed each gown. It was fun to hear her sister gush about her field of expertise, wondering if they should expand into formal gowns?
Hope grinned at her sister’s idealism and forgot about some of her anguish as they tried on dress after dress—twirling, laughing, and feeling like princesses. Faith chose a gorgeous off-white lace dress that was short-sleeved and knee-length. Hope decided on a pale blue, sleeveless silk creation that draped becomingly. There hadn’t been much choice when she tried it on and Faith flipped out about how ‘this dress was custom made for you!’ She liked how it made her toned and tanned arms stand out.
She could almost imagine she was Chad’s princess as she and Faith did their hair in long waves, put on their makeup, got dressed, and slid into silver, sparkly three-inch heels. They hadn’t even left the suite and the evening already felt magical.
A rap came on the door and Hope’s stomach pitched with anticipation and nerves.
“It’s got to be Chad.” Faith beamed. “He’s going todiewhen he sees you.”
Despite her sadness earlier and the realization that they could never be together, Hope imagined Chad saying he’d die if she kissed him. She said her hundredth prayer for strength. She wasn’t expecting a miracle like Chad being faithful to her and only her. She would simply try to stay positive and enjoy this time in the dreamlike kingdom. It was easy to get lost in the magic of it all, and Chad and Faith didn’t need her crying and being gloomy. Faith deserved to enjoy the royal wedding to its fullest.
“Of course he will.” Hope pumped her eyebrows and then strutted to the door.
“You go, sis!” Faith cried out.
Hope flung the door open and stumbled back a step. Chad was dressed in a gray suit that had obviously been tailored to fit his perfect body. His emerald green eyes warmed into a smolder as he stared at her face, her neck, torso, and legs, then slowly back up to her face. Each sweep of his gaze felt like a soft caress and made her pulse quicken.
“Hope.” He swallowed and then said in a husky voice, “You are a vision.”
“Thank you,” she managed. “You don’t look so bad yourself.” A huge understatement, but he knew how perfectly gorgeous he was.
He chuckled and extended his hand. Hope took a deep breath, trying to steel herself for how it would feel to touch him.
It didn’t help. Their hands slid together, their fingers interlacing as if made to be one. She felt the warmth travel up her arm and knew she was blushing furiously. He smiled and leaned in closer, saying in a conspiratorial whisper, “If touching your hand is this incredible, our next kiss is destined to stop my heart.”
