Abby My lips feel raw and sore as I pace back and forth in my room. I’ve been standing here for what feels like hours, chewing at my lips with my phone sitting open to Karl’s contact page on the bed. I need to call him. I know I do. Despite everything, despite our breakup, he’s still the father
Karl “Enjoy the party, sir.” I slip past the front gates with ease, right along with the rest of the well-dressed guests. All around me, a sea of people wander right into the Prince’s estate; I’m just a face in this sea, thanks to the bartender who gave me the information I needed to get in. A
“I… I mean, I hope she’ll at least spare me five minutes,” I say quietly. “I, uh… I really need to talk to her, John. Please.” For a few moments, John just stares at me and I feel as if he might deny me access to Abby—and for good reason, honestly. If it’s true that Abby really wants nothing to do
Abby “May I have this dance?” Damon’s striking green eyes flash handsomely at me from behind his long lashes. I hate to admit it, but he does look good tonight in his elegant tuxedo, with his long hair swept back into a neat bun. A few wispy pieces of hair frame his square jaw. Maybe, if circu
When the lights come on, I’m met with a sight to behold; an entire gallery full of expensive artwork and sculptures. There must be millions of dollars worth of artwork in this room alone. “Wow,” I breathe, turning slowly as I look around. “Damon, this is…” “A small collection, really,” Damon say
Abby As Damon and I step back out into the bustling party, the sound of music overwhelms me once more. That, and the feeling of Karl somewhere close by. But I know it’s all in my head. If Karl was here, he would have called me. And yet, I haven’t heard from him since he left me that initial voic
“Karl.” His name comes out like a breath on my tongue. When I see those soft brown eyes gazing at me, it’s as if everyone else suddenly stands still, as if the music goes silent and there’s nothing but us twirling in slow motion beneath a single light. “Abby,” Karl whispers as we spin together.
Abby “Is there a problem here?” Damon’s voice is powerful and firm despite the sound of the party whirling around us. His grip tightens around my shoulders, pulling me in closer against his warm body. I stumble a bit in my heels and feel my body press against him in a way that makes me shiver.
Abby Intrigued, I let Karl take my hand and lead me discreetly away from the reception, weaving through the tables and out a back door into the gardens. A mischievous grin plays on his lips as we giggle like teenagers, ducking behind hedges and scurrying across the lush green lawns. “Where are w
As the music shifts to a slow ballad, I feel a familiar pair of strong arms circle my waist from behind. “There’s my beautiful wife,” Karl’s deep voice rumbles in my ear, sending shivers down my spine. He spins me around to face him, our bodies swaying in time to the soft music. I gaze up at him
Abby The reception hall is cast in a warm, romantic glow, with twinkling lights and the warm flickering of candles on every table. Soft music plays as Karl and I make our entrance, hand-in-hand to raucous applause and cheers from our guests. I can’t stop smiling as we wave to our loved ones gather
Abby The afternoon sun streaming in through the tall windows of the chapel casts the stones in a warm golden light, giving everything a sort of ethereal energy. I stand in the hallway, my arm linked with Anton’s, as the wedding coordinator prepares everyone to walk down the aisle. “Are you ready
Abby As I sit in front of the vanity mirror with the hair and makeup artist circling around me, I meet my friends’ gazes in the reflection; Chloe, Leah, Daisy, and even Elsie are here as my bridesmaids, each of them looking more beautiful than the last. “The seamstress really did do a great job
Abby With a gasp of excitement, I pull the wedding gown out of its box and hold it up in the light. Everything is perfect; the way the beadwork catches the light, the silky texture, the shape. I can’t wait to try it on now that it’s been altered to fit my body. Quickly, I slip out of my clothe
Abby “Abby, why don’t you sit down?” Karl looks up at me from where he’s sitting on the sofa, a look of concern on his face. He pats the spot next to him, but I shake my head. “I can’t,” I say, continuing to pace back and forth in our living room. “I won’t sit down until I hear back about that
Abby As I chop, stir, melt, and saute, the others stand around me, watching intently. The pasta simmers on the stove, the air smelling like warm butter and spices. It’s enough to make anyone’s mouth water. But my focus isn’t on the rumbling in my belly, nor is it even on the lingering pain in my
As we continue searching, I keep thinking back on our last harrowing hunt for black truffles; those poachers nearly shot us. Even now, I can still remember the sound of the bullets whizzing past my head, and the thuds they made when they careened into trees. “We got really lucky,” I say. “If we ha