It's a Wonderful Lie

Chapter Ten

Emery

I feel his eyes on me for the entirety of dinner.

Even when I was standing naked in front of him, touching my self, I didn’t feel as exposed as I do now.

Bennett’s been talking for a while and I add a filler sentiment now and then, encouraging him to keep talking, but I’m such a terrible person because I haven’t listened to a word he’s said.

I have no room for conversation when I’m busy devising a plan.

As soon as dinner is over, I need to get him alone again. I need to convince him to f**k me again. I’ve already decided.

Next week I have to go back to my rock-bottom life and figure out exactly what I’m going to do with it. Now? Now I don’t want to think about it. I don’t have to think about it. For the first time in my entire life, I have an opportunity to forget the world and just enjoy something for me. Last night was the greatest pleasure I’ve ever felt and I’m not ready to give that up yet. It might be selfish, but I don’t care. I already decided that every second Ava doesn’t need me this week, I’m going to be selfish.

I have eight days left to escape reality and hide away in a winter wonderland. And if the way his eyes light up every time I find them at the other end of the table are any indication, he will be more than happy to help make this the most satisfying week of my life.

But I still need to ask him.

Which means I need to find a way to get him alone, away from Ava and Micah, away from Bennett. Away from anyone who would be suspicious of the two of us seeking each other out to have a conversation.

This is so f****d.

It was one thing when we were just two guests. It’s totally acceptable to start a casual conversation with another guest at a wedding. But now that I know he’s Bennett’s dad, there’s some kind of forbidden forcefield surrounding us that feels like a beacon, alerting the room every time we’re together. It just seems so much weirder for me to randomly be talking to their father.

“Emery?” I snap back into the conversation and find Bennett looking at me concerned.

“Sorry, what?” I ask, completely unsure about what topic he was most recently on.

“Are you ok?” He puts his hand over mine on the table and my cheeks flush because I immediately think of the fact that I’ve touched his dad’s p***s with that hand, “You sort of spaced out there for a minute.”

“Yes,” I pat the top of his hand and then put both of my own in my lap, “sorry, probably just jet lag.”

Points to Bennett for not acknowledging the fact that I flew in the opposite direction for jet lag.

Thankfully, I’m saved by the ding as Ava stands to make her millionth toast of the day. All the same players are shouted out, but this time they highlight Caspian, too. I finally have a real reason to look at him.

His reluctance to receive recognition sends a wave of butterflies through my stomach. I can’t help but adore the fact that such a powerful and successful man isn’t all about being the center of attention. Also knowing that he spent his night focused on me and my pleasure rather than his own… so hot.

As soon as people start milling about, I stand to make my way to the other side of the banquet table, but I’m stopped by my sister.

“Emery,” she reaches out and takes both my hands in her own, “we have the biggest favor to ask of you.”

Micah sidles up to her with his standard smile and adoring eyes for Ava, “Maybe not the biggest.”

“Bennett,” Ava waves him over as well, “this involves you, too.”

I’m wondering what wedding issue already needs to be tackled on night one that can’t wait until morning. But I promised I’d be a supportive sister and maid of honor, so I just wait for further instruction as Bennett appears at my side.

“So, the resort put together a dessert tasting for us, but I am just so exhausted and I need the two of you to take over for us.”

I stand there blinking at my sister for a moment, processing her request. It’s nearly ten o’clock in the evening. Who the hell plans a tasting this late?

“I thought you already had the cake picked out,” I push, “what is this tasting for?”

“Oh, it’s not like a tasting-tasting,” she looks off to the side while waving her hand nonchalantly. “It’s something they put together for us as part of our stay. To welcome and treat us before the wedding.”

“I can arrange for them to move it to another time for you—” I start, but she huffs and interrupts.

“There is no other time, Emery. We have a jam packed week and I don’t want to be rude and cancel, so I need you two to go, ok?” Micah begins rubbing his bride’s back as a tinge of heat radiates off of her, clearly annoyed with me for absolutely no discernible reason.

“Don’t worry, Aves,” Bennett speaks up, attempting to keep the peace, “we’ll go. It’s no problem.”

It’s kind of a problem, but being forced to eat dessert is not the hill I want to die on this week, so I smile and agree, “Of course.”

“Oh, perfect,” she trills, not a single trace of bridezilla remaining, “think of it like a preemptive thank you for everything you’re going to help with this week. It’ll be so fun! I wish I could go.”

I bite my tongue before I remind her that she can go, she’s just choosing not to.

“Where are we heading?” Bennett’s officially taken the lead now, which is fine by me. I’m a little too annoyed to say anything without an air of sarcasm at the moment.

I love my sister, I do. But why is she hell bent on forcing Bennett and I to take her reservation?

While she directs Bennett, I try and sneak a peek over my shoulder, but Caspian isn’t by his seat anymore. My heart drops a little at the realization that I’m probably being silly in my pursuit. Last night was amazing for me—life-changing, really—but for all I know, I was just another notch in his bed post.

I remind myself that I don’t know him at all despite the fact that I feel like I do. s*x is just s*x. Just because he made me feel like I can take on the world while he had me in his bed doesn’t mean that’s who he actually is. I don’t know who he is.

And maybe this is a sign that I shouldn’t try.

Hell, the universe already gave me the damn warning sign when Bennett introduced him to me as his father. That should have told me to stop my pursuit. So unless another sign appears giving me the green light, I need to cool it.

“Ready, Emery?” Bennett’s hand finds my back, grabbing my attention.

“Mhmm, let’s go.” I let him guide me out of the room and I swear I feel a pair of eyes burning into me, but I know it’s my imagination, so I don’t let myself turn around and look out of fear of disappointment.

“Have fun, you two!” Ava calls from behind us, sounding chipper and not at all like the exhausted bride she claims to be.

Something feels off, but I’m honestly too sad that I let myself get wrapped up in a fantasy to worry about it. First real life f****d me over and now my imagination is against me as well.

Will I ever have a turn to get what I want?