It would be challenging to explain what was occurring to her without telling her the whole truth, so I realized I needed to contact her. I sighed once again as I scrolled through her texts, which were becoming increasingly urgent.
“What is wrong?”
I glanced his way. It was hard to fathom what had transpired over the last few days. God, he was so gorgeous.
I couldn’t believe I was going to marry this guy.
At his question, I sighed.
“Lory.” I accepted the hand he extended and laced our fingers together. “I need to call her. Simply put, I’m at a loss for words. I don’t know how to explain this to her. What will we say to people?”
“I sent my PR company a statement this morning,” he informed me.
My mouth dropped in shock.
What did he do?
“Were you going to tell me, or not?”
“I was. I’ll tell you right now.”
He held onto my hand even tighter when I tried to remove it. I was enraged by his indifference.
“I can see that we’ll need to work on the portion where you consult me before making decisions that have an impact on me as well.”
“Willow, it’s not really a big thing. Don’t make it into something it isn’t.”
Yes, I wanted to scream, but not in the good kind of frustration I had come to associate with him.
“Oh? What were the contents of this statement you sent to your PR team? You didn’t tell me anything about it either.”
He combed his head with his fingers. “A gossip magazine had images of me putting the ring on your finger. I had to make an official statement. It is easier for us to spread the story this way. Please trust in my experience and stop worrying about it.”
Evidently, one of the spectators on the sidewalk decided to inform the media.
“So you handed them fresh gossip to quell rumors?”
“No, I just made a brief statement to thank them for preserving our privacy and to confirm my engagement.”
I laughed. “Preserving our privacy? That will work, I’m certain. I still believe you ought to have informed me prior to issuing a statement.”
He grinned. “It won’t be too unpleasant. They’re not quite as eager if you feed them a bit. I didn’t give them your name, either. And I warned them not to publish any information related to you. ”
I grimaced. Did he want others to be unaware of who I was? Was I a shameful secret to be kept in the dark?
He must have noticed that I was upset because he leaned over to plant a kiss on the corner of my lips.
“I want to wait until our wedding. I will make a separate statement after our nuptials to name you. You better believe I’m eager to announce to the world that you are forever mine.”
He coaxed me with his words and kisses, making me let his actions slide. Just this once.
“What will we say to our friends and your family after all that?”
He reclined in his seat but kept his body facing me. “It’s quite simple. We tell them that we were introduced through a scholarship mix-up and you had to come down to Quentin to sort it out. We met and it was love at first sight.”
I gave a slow nod while secretly hoping that was the case. I attempted to disregard the pain in my chest.
“It’s fine, I suppose we’ll stick with that. We’ll see how that works since I have to get on the phone with Lory now.”
I paused and cast another glance toward Nicholas while holding the phone. I was still unsure of my ability to keep my best friend in the dark about something so important. He was unaware of her persuasive abilities when seeking out information.
“What if Lory actually discovered the truth? Would that mean our relationship will be over?” I nervously bit my lip.
He stroked the back of my hand with his thumb, trying to comfort me. And it worked.
“No, I wouldn’t like to call it quits because your best buddy was aware of the truth. I assume you know why I prefer to keep it between the two of us. It’s to keep you safe.”
No doubt. I’d be regarded as a whore if people found out. No one wanted to be married to a so-called whore.
I nod and said, “I get it.” I inhaled deeply before dialing Lory’s number.
She responded right away.
“Where in the world are you? Why haven’t you given me a call? What is happening? Thanks to the forty-eight hours of stress you gave me, I fear I am balding.”
I had to move the phone away from my ear to let her scream to her heart’s content.
“Are you done?” I eventually questioned.
“I’m hoping for an explanation,” she told me.
I crossed my fingers as I started. “Lory, he’s wonderful and amazing. The experience has truly been fantastical. Both he and I love each other. We’re currently eloping. We’re tying the knot.”
She started screaming again, and this time I wasn’t sure if she was happy, mad, or just in shock. I had to wait a few seconds before I could put the phone back to my ear, and I scowled at Nicholas’ amused look.
“Are you finished screaming yet?” After a brief pause in her tirade, I questioned.
“You’ve lost the plot, Willow!” she stated, baffled.
“I know what I am doing. I know it is hard to wrap your mind around but say it… you think this is romantic.” I glared at Nicholas before I went on. “I am being treated like a princess. swept me off my feet, Lory.” I rolled my eyes at how sappy I sounded.
My stomach was heavy with unease as I twisted the truth.
“Where are you at this moment?”
“We’re flying to Oak Run right now.”
“He’s with you there?”
I chuckled. “Yes. I doubt I could legally wed myself.”