Page 22 of Knotty Bargain (Monster Holidays #3)

CHAPTER 22

CORDELIA

T he Thorns have a massive farm at the edge of town. As kids, we’d sometimes ride our bikes—Syl carrying me—to the farm, and we’d spend afternoons running around. It was the few times I felt like part of the group, even though I was always the last one to be chosen for teams, then only chosen because Sylvia threatened the other kids.

When Marcus and I started to date, we’d spend our weekends in town, most likely hanging out with his friends or watching movies on Miranda’s couch. It took me many years to realize how rich the Thorns were.

And this wedding is it. They truly spared no expense.

The ceremony was in the open area near the lake. Not a pond. Lake. Patio heaters were placed strategically near the chairs. The sky is gray, but it didn’t rain. The area glittered with a thousand points of light and so many flowers that I spent half the ceremony terrified of sneezing.

The party is inside a repurposed barn. The whole town is here and more. Mr. Thorn, Marcus’s father, must have all his business associates with him in the VIP area. Lightscast a warm glow across the elegant chairs and polished marble floors. An orchestra plays a romantic, lyrical melody that swells and dances through the air. Vivian floats amid the crowd in a resplendent gown of lace and silk, a flowing train trailing behind her.

Sylvia leans closer to me as we stand next to our table, waiting to greet the newlyweds. “Do I like Marcus? No,” she whispers. “But you should have married him. He was rich rich.” She glances at Levi. “No offense, Levi.”

“None taken.”

I elbow her. “He’s not rich,” I whisper back. “His dad is rich. It’s different.”

Sylvia raises a hand for me to high-five her. “Yes. Meritocracy, my ass.”

I chuckle, though there’s not much humor to it. The end of October brings not only the wedding and Halloween, but the end of my vacation and the end of my deal with Levi. And oh, how I wish this had gone differently.

Beside me, Levi scoffs under his breath. “Being rich doesn’t mean much if you don’t have taste. I’ve seen weddings on 90 Days Fiancé that were less over-the-top than this.” His deep voice rumbles with wry amusement. He narrows his eyes when he looks up. “Seriously. Why are there so many lights? It feels like the sun’s here with us.”

A laugh bubbles up my throat before I can stop it. Several heads turn to stare at me in disapproval. Biting my lip, I elbow Levi on his muscular side, trying not to focus on the way his dark suit hugs his powerful frame.

“Behave,” I hiss through my teeth. “Our track record already sucks. It’s Vivian’s big day. Let her have her princess wedding.”

“They’re going to take forever to get here,” says Miranda, sighing as she drops into her chair. “I’m too old for this. Let me know when Vivian comes this way.”

Sylvia scoffs. “Not me. I’m going after something to drink.”

I grab her elbow as she tries to sneak off. “Syl, really? What if she comes?” I stare at my best friend, mentally telling her I need the support.

Sylvia, stunning in a gold dress, takes my hands in hers and kisses my cheek. “Babe. Levi’s right here. I’m pretty sure he’ll kick her out of her own wedding if she bothers you.” She grins at Levi. “Right, Levi?”

“Absolutely.”

“See?” Syl winks at me, then walks out, searching the barn for the bar.

I run my fingers through my straightened hair, then adjust my long-sleeve velvet dress. The bateau neckline shows my collarbones and a thin silver choker. It has a slightly empire waistline that I think is super classic. The dark blue of the velvet goes well with my eyes. I shift in the square heels, but one look at Levi and I’m comfortable again.

Though I bought the dress where I live, Levi has magic on his fingertips, and he came up with his suit five minutes before we left. He’s a well-cut royal blue suit with a light blue button-down shirt and a red tie. His dark hair is perfectly combed back, though I never saw him touch a brush.

Levi is drop-dead handsome as always, even in his human form. And I’m not the only one who thinks that. Several other people sneak glances at him here and there, my aunts included.

Wicked pride coils inside my chest like a snake. I had him. I had his cock inside me, his fingers in my hair and his mouth on mine. He cooked me dinner. He brought me breakfast. We laugh at each other’s jokes.

But he’s not mine, is he? He’ll never be.

His arm brushes mine. We’re so close, but we don’t touch. I have to remind myself to keep my distance.

Levi’s fingertips brush my cheek. I turn at him, surprised. Heat floods my cheeks as if he had read my mind.

“What’s on your mind?” he murmurs.

I stare at his black eyes for a moment, then decide for the truth. “Today is...today’s the last day.”

I have to force the words out past the painful lump rising in my throat. The last day of our deal. We’re leaving. We’re leaving so soon and I don’t want to think about it.

After today, he’ll return to hell and I’ll go back to my quiet, lonely life. The thought pierces like a shard of ice through my heart.

Despite my best efforts, despite all the walls I put up to protect myself... I’ve fallen hopelessly in love with this infuriating, charming, complicated demon. With his razor-sharp wit and arrogant smirk, his unexpected moments of tenderness, the electric heat of his touch. And now I have to let him go.

Levi’s brow furrows. “It doesn’t have to be the last day, Lia. Not if you don’t want it to be.”

“But I do,” I insist, blinking back the sting of tears. God, what am I doing? And in public? “We’re too different, Levi,” I whisper. “You’re literally from a different realm. This—us—it was never going to work long term. You know that.”

“Maybe I don’t give a fuck about different realms or long-term plans,” he whispers back. His fingers curl around my arm, burning through my sleeve. Something like desperation flashes across his face. “Maybe all I care about is?—”

“Cordelia!” Vivian chirps. She makes her way toward us with a grin, pulling Marcus along.

I take a deep breath, bracing myself. This is it. The last charade of my fake relationship.