Page 34 of Paradise & Vodka

"I know you're getting laid, Doug. I'm not stupid. I'm also not the one who has to be married before I turn twenty-six to get my inheritance."

What inheritance?

"I should have stayed with your sister."

Everleigh laughed. "She never would have agreed to marry your ass."

"She was in love with me."

"And so was I until I caught you with Lyssa."

Who was Lyssa?

"You should have known better since that was how we got together."

"I hate you."

"You're not my favorite person either, but the truth of the matter is that we're in this together. You signed the agreement, and you better be at the wedding tomorrow."

"Whatever," Everleigh huffed before she stormed off.

Being the prick that I was—my friends' words, not mine—I started to walk so Dougie knew that I was there. "Dougie," I greeted with a tilt of my head. "Nice night for a stroll, no?"

He balked and looked around, but I kept walking and called over my shoulder, "See you tomorrow."

My pace quickened. I was excited to tell Ashleigh what I'd witnessed, but when I opened the door to the room, I was greeted with her soft snores.

I didn't remember fallingasleep, or Nick coming back with my ice cream, but clearly, he had because he was sleeping next to me when I woke the next morning. It was the first morning that I'd woken up on my own. Usually, I stirred because Nick was groping me in some way.

I went to the bathroom to freshen up soIcould be the one to wake Nick up with my mouth, except on my way back to the bed, the phone rang. I sprinted to it, hoping to grab it before it rang another time. Nick rolled over but didn't open his eyes.

"Hello?" I whispered.

"Sister, sister," Everleigh screamed into the phone. "I'm getting married!"

I snorted and still in a low voice, replied, "I know."

"I'm so excited!"

"I can tell."

"I was calling to ask you to come get ready in my room. We're having breakfast and mimosas, and I really want you here."

I looked down at Nick, and he was awake. I held my hand over the receiver. "Everleigh wants me to go to her room to get ready for the wedding and have breakfast with her."

Nick sat up, the sheet pooling around his waist. My mouth watered, wanting to crawl back into bed and have him for breakfast instead. "You should go."

"Really?"

"I'll be fine. I'll order room service or something." He yawned.

"Are you sure?"

He nodded. "I know you're trying to mend your relationship. This will be good for you."

"But—"

"I'm a big boy, baby. I'll get ready and meet you there."