Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 95609 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 478(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95609 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 478(@200wpm)___ 382(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
I can do both. Eventually. But not tonight.
“Don’t fight him. I think the rest of the group needs you. Take care of them,” I say as I hug Shelby. “Don’t be too big of a bitch, and watch out for Joe. Do you understand?”
I pull back and she nods. “I will.”
And then I’m being escorted outside where the cameras film me getting into the limo. I spend the next two hours with the producer trying to get me to cry on film. I don’t. He finally gives up and drops me off at the sequester hotel.
I walk into the lobby and Ivy, Heath, Harper, and Darnell are all there. It’s so late they’re the only ones beyond the production assistant who’s supposed to show me to my room.
Screw that.
I take the hands of my friends and walk back out into the night.
Confessionals
Ashley F
I don’t know what to say. I’m in shock. What the hell just happened?
Riley
I know. I know. I need to stop crying. I mean I’m happy I’m still here. I wasn’t ready to go, but losing Anika… This isn’t what I expected. I thought I would come on the show and maybe meet this amazing man, but it’s been more. I met my best friends. I met people I’m going to love for the rest of my life. It’s just…it’s been so much more than I expected.
Shelby
Well, I mean it’s more time with the king for me. And that’s a good thing. I guess he saw through her nice-girl routine. It’s not exactly a routine. She’s pretty cool, but I guess he decided he needed someone stronger for his queen. I’m ready. He’s mine now. I can feel that crown on my head.
Hannah
I’m so glad Riley is still here, but I’m going to miss Anika. She’s the sister I never had. Yes, I have three sisters, but they’re all mean to me. Anika is the sister I’ve always wanted. Riley? No. Riley isn’t a sister. She’s a friend. A best friend. I wish we could have talked to Ani. I can’t imagine what she’s feeling right now. We all thought she would be the one who married Reg.
His Majesty
Everything is hard now. I have to make the best decision for my country, and that doesn’t always mean I get what I want.
Anika
What do you want me to say so I can get out of this limo? Do you want me to cry? Because I can do that. How about I talk about what truly happened in there? Do you want me to do that? I’ll cry and tell you how I got screwed over by your boss. Fine. I want this over. I don’t want to drive around Manhattan all night waiting for me to get tired enough to give you what you want. I’m devastated. I really lo…cared about him. I cared about all of them, and I’ll miss them. And that’s all I’m going to say.
Chapter Twenty-Two
“Is she still asleep?”
Ivy. She’s the one who whispered the question. I can clearly hear her because I’m back at my teeny, tiny, costs more than my unemployed ass will be able to afford soon apartment. She’s standing near the “kitchen,” which is a hot plate and a microwave and a weirdly shaped fridge I’m sure was very modern in 1989.
They took me home and put me in bed last night after I’d cried for a solid three hours. When the tears started the guys had disappeared, but that was all right with me. I kind of hate all men right now. I know I don’t really, but if I don’t have to be around one for a few days, I’ll be okay.
I’m not particularly fond of women in power right now either.
“You know Ani. She might sleep for a few days,” Harper whispers back. “You remember when she broke up with Tommy Hammersmith in college? She didn’t leave our dorm room for a week.”
Yep. I’d hidden under the covers and lived off of protein shakes and pixie sticks. It had not been my best look.
“I don’t get it,” Ivy says. “I thought this guy was totally into her. Emma says they’re an excellent match.”
“Well, Emma doesn’t know everything,” Harper shoots back.
I want to stay in bed. I want to block the world out, but I can’t. I have things I have to do, and they start with telling my friends everything I didn’t tell them the night before. I’m so grateful they were there for me. If Harper hadn’t been working, she wouldn’t have known anything happened at all. They would think I was getting ready for the big move. “She knew enough.”
“Hey, you’re awake.” Ivy hurries across the small space and sits on the edge of the bed. “I have some coffee and donuts. I can get something else if you like.”