Total pages in book: 51
Estimated words: 47597 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 238(@200wpm)___ 190(@250wpm)___ 159(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 47597 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 238(@200wpm)___ 190(@250wpm)___ 159(@300wpm)
"We ran out of cabins," I lie. How the fuck did she find out that Zoya is staying with me?
Ma doesn't buy my shit. She just smiles, shaking her head. "Fine. Keep your secrets, but you better be good to her if she's the one, Jareth Caspian Grayson."
"She has a boyfriend, Ma."
"You know, your dad thought the same thing about me once." She giggles, looking at Carter. "He was wrong. Maybe you are, too."
"Yeah, maybe." I'm more convinced than ever that Zoya and Connor's relationship is total bullshit. But how the fuck do I get her to admit it? That's the million-dollar question, isn't it?
Chapter Seven
Zoya
"Oh, Nadia," Mom whispers, dabbing at her eyes as Nadia steps out of the dressing room in her wedding gown. "Look at you!"
"Mom!" Nadia cries, fanning her face. "Don't make me cry."
"Oh my gosh. Neither of you should be crying. Weddings are supposed to be happy things," Innessa says, shaking her head at both of them before she breaks into a big smile. "But you do look beautiful, Nadia."
"Yeah, you do," I whisper. The A-line style wedding dress features off-the-shoulder sleeves and a lace sheath that peeks through the leg slit. It hides her little bump beautifully, not that I think she cares who sees it. She and Teo are thrilled about the baby. "Like a princess."
Nadia spins in front of the mirror, looking at herself. "I feel like a princess," she admits softly.
"It reminds me of your prom dress," Aunt Miranda says.
Nadia glances down, smoothing her hands over the fabric. "That's why I chose it," she admits. "It reminded me of who we used to be and how far we've come since that night." She chews on her bottom lip, eyeing us in worry. "Is it too much? Maybe I shouldn't be bringing the past into this."
"Honey." Mom rises from the sofa, pacing toward her. "You two have a lifetime of history. Some of it is beautiful, and some of it is devastating. But you two made it, and you're so much stronger for it. You're proof that love can survive time, distance, and heartbreak. The kids you were that night deserve to be remembered because those kids are survivors. If this dress helps you remember them, then it's the right one."
Nadia flings her arms around our mom, hugging her fiercely. "Thank you," she whispers, her voice thick with unshed tears. "For everything." Her eyes come to me, Innessa, and Aunt Miranda, who is dabbing her eyes. "All of you. We owe all of you so much for not giving up on us."
"As if we would ever," Aunt Miranda says. "Jason and I love you like you're our own daughter. We always knew you and Teo would find your way back to one another."
"And Teo is the son we never had," Mom agrees. "Now, he'll be our son in truth."
"I can't wait to marry him," Nadia whispers, a happy smile tipping her lips up at the corners. "I can't wait to meet our little girl."
Mom hugs her tight again, laughing. "I know you can't, sweet girl."
I watch the two of them, my heart aching in a way that doesn't make sense. I'm beyond thrilled for Nadia and Teo. They deserve their happiness. But…I don't know. All I can think about is Jareth. My feelings for him are so damn confusing.
I keep telling myself I don't want this. I don't want to be the one in love. It'll never be me in a wedding dress. But looking at Nadia, seeing how happy she is now…I'm not honestly sure if that's true anymore. Part of me is envious, I think. And I don't know what to do with that.
My life made complete sense before Jareth appeared in it. I was going to finish college and eventually open my own non-profit to rescue wild animals being held in captivity. That was my plan. Now, it's all confused. I still want those things. But Jareth keeps hovering on the edges of my planned future like a specter.
Like he said this morning, though, this place is his reality. It's his home. It's in his blood. And my reality is back in Tennessee. Even if I do want him, it'll never work. We're from two different worlds, looking for two different things. That shouldn't make me sad because he was never part of the plan. But it makes me sad anyway.
He just had to kiss me. He just had to touch me. He just had to keep showing up, wrecking my defenses. Now, he's in, and I can't get him out, and I'm seriously worried that I'm going to end up just like Nadia. Except there is no happy ending in my future. There are just two different worlds and two people who were never going to work in the first place.