Page 99 of Illicit Games

“Men,” mocks Rosalie, rolling her eyes. “They’d do anything to avoid going shopping.”

“He did it as retaliation.” I tell them about the ugly incident, watching them become furious on my behalf.

“That bitch!” sneers Rosalie.

Bianca suddenly gasps. “Oh my god! Is that why they’re going out of business?”

“What do you mean?” I frown, confused.

“You don’t know?”

Both Rosalie and I shake our heads.

“More than half of their stores have closed down all over the country. Their deal to expand overseas also fell through. Once Sole Symphony’s new line is announced, their shares are for sure going to go down.”

I gape.

“Kian must’ve had a hand in this,” Rosalie says conspiratorially. “I am liking that man more and more.”

Bianca shakes her head at our friend’s antics while I’m still trying to process the implication of Bianca’s info. Is Rosalie right? Did Kian have a hand in their downfall?

“Iris?”

I snap out of my haze. “Yeah, Bee?”

“You never answered. Has Kian said he loves you?” Eagerness reflects on her face.

“He hasn’t said it back yet.”

Rosalie’s eyes bug out. “You mean you told him ‘I love you’ and he never said it back? That’s insane.”

Bianca’s pretty face says she agrees as well. Like they’re thinking I have deeper feelings for him than he does for me, which is untrue.

“It’s not a big deal,” I say. “I don’t need him to say it back.”

They doesn’t look convinced.

“Let me ask you this, would you rather betoldI love you orshownandfelt?” I softly ask. “It’s the latter for me because that’s what Kian does. He hasn’t said the words ‘I love you’, but he makes me feel and live it every second of every day. I feel his love in every eye contact, every small touch, in his protectiveness and actions. It’s there in his gaze every morning I wake up and see his face next to mine. Anyone can say they love you or they can’t live without you. But not every man can make you feel it deep in your soul. Kian’s love for me is as transcendent and true as the air in the universe. One day, hewillsay it and it’ll be the best day of my life.”

Moisture makes their eyes go glassy.

“When you put it like that…” Bianca wipes a tear away, ever the romantic at heart.

“Your love story is like a fairy tale,” utters Rosalie dreamily. “Kian’s the beast and you’re his Tinker Bell.”

“Those are two separate tales, Ro,” Bianca points out.

“Ever heard of a crossover?”

I giggle, watching them bicker. I’m overjoyed, feeling my troubles go away while being surrounded by them. The tension that lingered between us has vanished after confessing the truth. Kian was right. I didn’t lose them. It gives me hope that my parents will forgive me too after I tell them the real reason I was marrying Nathan.

“Ro,” I interrupt them.

“Yeah, babe?”

“I wanted to apologize for causing the drama at your gala.”

“Oh, shush!” she scolds. “If anything, I should thank you. The kiss took away the stress off my back of having to entertain the guests.”