Chapter 23 Sierra
TWENTY-THREE
SIERRA
FIVE YEARS LATER
“Ithink I prefer the lilac.”
Kiki frowns, holding up the two dresses on either side of me.
“You suit either, but I’m thinking of the color scheme. Cornflower blue is beautiful, too.”
I shrug with a smile, knowing how indecisive my best friend can be.
“It’s your wedding day, babe.”
Kiki grins, holding the lilac dress beneath my chin.
“Lilac it is. Maybe you could get lilac highlights in your hair—”
“I don’t think the school would be overly pleased with that,” I laugh, taking the dress from her.
The material is like silk, but the price isn’t reflective of it.
“Do you want me to try it on?”
Kiki claps her hands together as I head into the changing room, stripping off my worn jeans and sneakers. The rose on my hip winks at me, a constant reminder of the man who left me behind.
An ache forms in my chest, but I push it back, refusing to give that fucker the time of day.
Crane Michaels.
“What time is Declan picking you up?” Kiki calls, and I frown, digging in my jeans pocket for my phone.
Declan Hale, who’d have thought it?
“In an hour.”
Kiki gasps when I come out of the room, giving her a twirl.
“Oh, Sierra.” Kiki clamps a hand to her mouth, her dark hair shimmering beneath the spotlights. “You’re the most beautiful bridesmaid in the world. I hope Greg doesn’t prefer you.”
I roll my eyes.
“Greg only has eyes for you, Kiki. His bride.”
Kiki nods, putting her hands into a prayer motion as she stares at me.
“How the fuck am I getting married?”
I snort with laughter, admiring my reflection in the mirror.
Five years have passed since Crane took off. I'd thrown myself into teaching, and earned my degree. But looking in the mirror now, I still see the sadness in my eyes that no amount of professional success can erase.
That man broke me.
“You’re thinking about him,” Kiki says quietly, coming up behind me. She wraps her arms around my waist, kissing my shoulder. “Please don’t.”
“It’s been five years,” I whisper back, a lump forming in my throat. “Why am I still thinking about him?”
Kiki sighs, releasing me.
“I think we both know why, but it’s pointless thinking about it.”
I nod numbly, instead forcing a smile.
“Let’s grab a coffee before Declan picks me up.”
I don’t allow myself to think about Crane Michaels. It’s pointless, as Kiki said.
But something about my gray-eyed one-night wonder still kills me.
How he left and never said goodbye.
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve searched for him on social media, to no avail.
Still, I’m with Declan now.
It’s not the same as what I had with Crane, but look where that got me.
Heartbroken and lost for five years.
Declan is the one who saved me.
“What are you doing tonight?” Kiki asks.
“Dinner with the girls. Are you sure I can’t convince you to join us?”
I don’t need to see Kiki’s face to know she’s shuddering.
“No offense, but I’d rather set my face on fire.”
Tonight I’m seeing my fellow teacher friends, and Kiki finds them incredibly dull. The school I work for is kind of pretentious, I have to admit, but they’re my colleagues. I have to make an effort.
“They’re lovely!” I protest as Kiki makes choking noises.
“I’m sure.”
An hour later, I’m skipping toward Declan’s Porsche. My heart skips a beat when he lowers his sunglasses to drink me in.
He whistles, shaking his head when I slide in beside him.
“How do you look better every time I see you?”
“I use an anti-aging serum.”
I tug his face to mine, pressing my lips against his.
“You’ll never age,” he mumbles against me, his hand resting on my thigh. “How did dress shopping go?”
I lean back, pulling on my seatbelt.
“Lilac.”
Declan arches a brow as the car speeds off, shaking his head.
“Lilac, huh?”
“Yep.”
“You’d look insane in any color, Sierra. Dad’s asked us to go to dinner tomorrow at the country club.”
I suck in a breath, my heart sinking as he squeezes my thigh.
“I know.”
“I hate him, Declan.”
Declan winces.
“Hate is a strong word....”
“Yet entirely relevant in this case.” I huff. “He's a chauvinistic dick.”
“My father has connections at the district attorney's office,” Declan mentions casually, his tone shifting. “Sometimes it pays to know people in law enforcement.”
The comment feels odd, and something cold settles in my stomach. “What does that have to do with dinner?”
Declan hides a smile, knowing full well how I feel about his prick of a father. “Nothing. Just saying.” He squeezes my thigh. “I know you hate him, but maybe I can make it worth your while...”
“Mmm?”
Declan chuckles, tapping the glovebox in front of me.
“For you.”
I arch a brow at him but lean down to slide it open.
There’s a long velvet box nestled beside short-stemmed pink roses, and I can’t help but grin.
“You are so romantic.”
“It’s all you, beautiful.”
Opening the box exposes a stunning diamond cluster necklace, and I gape at Declan.
“Declan…”
“Don’t say you’re not worth it, Sierra.” Declan raises my hand to his lips, kissing it softly. “I’d spend all of my money on you if you’d let me.”
This necklace must be worth thousands.
“I can’t take this from you.”
Declan shakes his head.
“If you don’t, I’ll throw it out the window.”
I know he will too; he’s crazy like that.
“It’s not even my birthday.”
“I don’t need an occasion to treat you like a princess.”
My fingers unhook the necklace from its velvet restraints, clipping it around my neck with a gasp.
The diamonds attract the light, making my neck look like it’s surrounded by stars.
“It’s out of this world, thank you.”
Declan glances at me, a smile on his face that tells me my reaction pleases him.
“You’re crazy; you know that?”
“I’m crazy for you, Sierra Carson.”
Moments later, we arrive at his beach house, and we waste no time falling to the sofa, our mouths exploring each other urgently.
“I could kiss you all day,” he mumbles, his hand brushing against my hip. “But right now, I just want to be inside you.”
“Fucking me in my diamonds?” I breathe against him, reaching down to stroke his hardness.
“Fucking you in only your diamonds.”