Chapter 18 Eva #2
I shrug at Maddy, and with a heavy sigh, she agrees to head back to the changing room to try on another dress. Patricia follows her with a few of her own choices for Maddy to try on.
This happens another five times.
I’ve already drunk three glasses of champagne, so I can ignore the forced conversations with both mothers.
As for Aston, he hasn’t responded. I feel bad for Ramona, who has also drunk several glasses. Between the two of us, this won’t end well. Thankfully, Maddy drove, so technically, I could get blind drunk if needed.
Maddy walks out again, but this time—she is glowing.
I take a deep breath, covering my mouth, holding back the tears I so desperately want to cry from seeing her in the most perfect dress.
The sheer bodice creates a semi-off-the-shoulder illusion with nude tulle and floating tattoo lace.
It’s not as covered up as Georgina would like, but it’s a great compromise, in my opinion.
The floating lace continues over the long sleeves, with the back of the dress open. Unlike some of the other designs, this dress hugs Maddy’s curves. The most stunning piece of the dress is the extra-long scalloped train made with corded lace.
“This is the one,” Maddy whispers, gazing at me with dancing eyes. “It feels perfect.”
I jump up, wrapping my arms around her in a tight embrace. “It’s so you.”
“It is me.” Maddy pulls back with a grin.
As if the universe knew, the dress fits Maddy like a glove, needing minimal alterations. This is music to our ears given that the wedding isn’t far away. I reach for the tag on the dress, almost fainting from the hefty price. With $100,000 I could open another two cafés.
With the gown now chosen, next up are the bridesmaid dresses.
Maddy chooses two different styles so as not to overwhelm us. The three of us have agreed to try on both of them to see which one suits us better. The first is beautiful, suiting each one of our body types. The dress has a draped cowl neckline and a rich satin back.
“The color is berry hue,” the sales assistant informs us.
The second dress is lovely, too, with its intricate lace and flattering fit, but there’s no denying the first one steals the show. It has that perfect mix of elegance and charm.
Helena and her assistant crouch beside me, carefully pinning the fabric in place, murmuring about adjustments and tailoring as they work.
Maddy leans over, scrolling through photos on her phone to show us potential hairstyles, her excitement bubbling over.
She tilts the screen toward me, displaying an elegant updo wrapped in tiny pearls.
It’s no surprise Maddy is enjoying this fitting, since costumes and fancy dresses are her thing.
I’m just glad she’s finally able to be in the moment.
All week she’s been stressed with changes to the wedding plans.
Just then, Ramona’s phone pings from the chair. The sound cuts through our conversation, making us all glance over.
“What’s going on?” Maddy questions.
My lips press into a grimace before I blurt out, “Ramona asked your brother out to dinner.”
Ramona’s eyes widen in surprise. “Thanks a lot. And for the record, his message says he’s seeing someone.”
My body freezes, my focus shifted to my flipping stomach.
“Really? And besides, Mom told me in the changing room you texted him.” Maddy’s mouth slackens, and then she continues, “He’s been in a horrible mood this week. I swear, he has man periods. If he’s seeing someone, wouldn’t he be getting laid and, therefore, be in a better mood?”
“Madelina,” her mother snaps. “We do not discuss such matters in public.”
“C’mon, Mom.” Maddy rolls her eyes. “Your son is the biggest player there is. Not only does he not do relationships, he has this rule where no woman is allowed to stay over. He does the deed and sends them on their merry way.”
Her mother closes her eyes as if trying to unhear Maddy’s words. A deep sigh escapes her, and she pinches the bridge of her nose, looking torn between disbelief and disappointment.
Meanwhile, I feel like the biggest fool for letting Aston get to me, or more so, for allowing him to give me the best orgasm of my life inside their guest bathroom.
I reach out, grabbing another glass of champagne.
Helena warns me not to get any on the dress, but at this point, I need to forget about Aston. But Maddy doesn’t shut up.
“Aston will never settle down. He’s never even been in love,” Maddy continues with her rambling. “In high school, he slept with two best friends, and they both lost their virginity to him that night.”
I gasp. “I thought that was a fake rumor!”
A satisfied smile graces Maddy’s lips. “Nope, just my big brother.”
“Madelina, enough . Your brother is a hard worker and does more than you’ll ever know for this family. If he chooses to live his life like this, then so be it.” Patricia stands to grab her purse. “Ladies, I have a dinner later and must prepare.”
Georgina also leaves but doesn’t give her opinion on Aston’s personal life. As for us girls, we sit on the chairs, exhausted from the day.
“Maybe I dodged a bullet not dating your brother.” Ramona sighs dejectedly.
“He’s really handsome. I mean, drop-dead-gorgeous handsome.
Did you know he doesn’t even have social media?
I tried to stalk him, but instead, I found all these images of him on this social page.
College girls run these accounts that have vision boards with him all over them.
He’s been seen on red carpets for different galas and once his photo leaked, girls from NYU went nuts. ”
“Wow!” I gasp, surprised by this revelation. “That’s some next-level stalking.”
“Oh yeah.” Ramona nods, continuing with, “They see him around Manhattan, and they call it suit porn.”
I raise my brow. “Suit porn?”
“Okay, enough.” Maddy rises from the chair. “We are talking about my brother. If you bring up his penis size, you’re dead to me.”
On the car ride home, I fall quiet. I lost count of how many glasses of champagne I consumed, but things started to blur, given I hadn’t eaten.
Maddy receives a call from Myles, so I use the time to close my eyes and fall asleep.
We’re outside my apartment when I wake, and the sky has turned dark.
Maddy puts the car in park and turns off the engine. “Do you think there is more to love than just that feeling?”
I shake my head to wake myself up. My head is throbbing, but I try my best to come up with a response. “What do you mean?”
“I mean… I look at couples who have been married for like fifty years. There has to be more to it, right? Like, is love enough?”
“I think love has different elements and layers,” I begin. Then release a shallow sigh before saying, “It’s companionship, equality, respect, and connection. When you’re old, sex isn’t going to be what keeps you together. Does that make sense?”
“Yeah, marry your best friend,” she murmurs, dropping her gaze to her lap. “My parents are not an example of a good marriage.”
I don’t want to agree with her, but it is the truth. Mr. and Mrs. Beaumont are anything but loving toward each other. Again, I have no idea why they don’t just call it quits. Their kids are grown, so it’s not like divorce would be a big deal.
“Break the cycle, Maddy. Just because they choose to be miserable doesn’t mean you have to.”
Maddy nods. “It’s been a long day.”
“It certainly has. But your dress is amazing, and that’s another thing checked off your list.”
She laughs. “You mean our list?”
“Right, our list.” I laugh a little too obnoxiously. “Thanks for reminding me.” I let out a hiccup.
“And you’re buzzed.” Maddy falls into a fit of laughter again. “Will you be okay? I need to meet Myles for dinner. I kind of want to bail, but we haven’t spent much time together with everything going on, so I feel bad.”
“And hot pre-wedding sex?”
“I told you, we’re holding off.”
“Bummer,” I complain, then open the door of the car. “I’ll be fine. Have fun at dinner.”
Maddy drives off by the time I reach my door. I take a quick shower inside my apartment and throw on some sweats with a tank top. Considering it’s cold outside, my body is overheating like I’ve run a marathon.
The headache refuses to dissipate, and after searching my cupboards for medication, I come up empty-handed. I let out a groan, grabbing my beanie and a thick coat to wear over my tank.
My sneakers sit at the door, so I stop to put them on, catching a glimpse of myself in the mirror before pulling on my coat.
“Son of a bitch,” I bark upon noticing my nipples stand out beneath my white tank.
Walking back to my bedroom to find a bra is too much effort, so I button up my coat to cover the ladies.
No one has to know.
The grocery store is a block from my place, and at this hour, it’s blissfully quiet—most people are home by now, settling in for dinner.
The fluorescent lights hum softly overhead, casting a cool glow over the empty aisles as I grab the essentials and toss them into the basket.
The faint smell of freshly baked bread lingers in the air as I make my way through the store.
When I reach the self-checkout, the silence is comforting, broken only by the gentle beeps as I scan each item—the sound oddly soothing.
I exit the grocery store and step outside into the cold, only to bump into another body.
“Oh my God. I’m so sorry!”
“Eva?” the voice says, forcing me to glance up. Marco’s sheepish grin catches my attention. “Well, this is a pleasant surprise.”
I hug my grocery bag close to my body. “You look well. And before you think it, I look like crap. It’s been one hell of a week.”
Marco chuckles, his handsome smile lightening my mood. “Is everything okay?”
“I guess. I’ve been busy planning this wedding, which has been harder than I thought. Today, I spent six whole hours watching Maddy try on dresses. By the end of it, I was so wasted on champagne that I’m now expecting the worst hangover.”
“Ah, hence the Tylenol and”—he reaches for my grocery bag—“burritos?”
“The cure to any hangover,” I reply with a small laugh, then sigh. “I’m sorry I haven’t called.”
“I’m sorry I haven’t called either. There’s a new strain of flu going around, so the clinic has been going nonstop.”
“So I’ve heard. Chloe wasn’t feeling well yesterday, so I sent her home. The last thing Billie and I need is to catch a virus. I’m so ready for winter to be over.”
“If I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard that this week.”
I hesitate, then ask, “Apart from that, you’ve been well?”
Marco drops his head, only to raise it moments later. “I would be better if we actually went on a proper date, uninterrupted.”
A soft sigh escapes me, the guilt weighing heavily on my shoulders. There’s no doubt in my mind Marco is a good man who would treat me the way I deserve to be treated.
But this is not fair to him.
Not when my body is craving someone else.
“I’m sorry, Marco. Things have just been—”
“It’s okay.” Marco offers a warm smile. “I should probably go, but just for the record, you look beautiful tonight, Eva. You always do.”
Marco leans in, kissing me on the cheek, lingering as his lips touch my cold skin.
As he pulls away, I allow myself to gaze into his eyes, only to be distracted by the roar of an engine as a familiar gray Porsche pulls up to the curb.
It takes only a few seconds for the door to slam and Aston to appear. He’s dressed in a navy suit with a tie, looking deliciously sexy. God, now I get the whole suit porn thing.
I shake my head, snapping myself out of this daze. “What are you doing here?” I ask, annoyed.
“What am I doing here?” he repeats, moving closer to me.
Marco takes a step back, his face clouding with hurt. “I didn’t realize you were together.”
“We’re not together, Marco. Far from it.”
“I think I’ll just leave,” he says, eyeing Aston.
Aston doesn’t breathe a word, but I know his smug ass is relishing in the fact that he has gotten his way. With a half-smile, Marco turns his back and walks into the grocery store.
The moment the automatic doors close, I snap my attention back to Aston.
“God, Aston. You haven’t spoken to me for a week. Not even a text. According to Maddy, you bailed and went back to the city. So, as far as I’m concerned, you’re bored playing your game with me, which means I am free to do whatever the hell I want.”
“Get in the car,” he demands.
“No.”
“I said… get in the car, Everleigh. Stop being a pain in my ass.”
“And I said… no !” I raise my voice. “Oh, and by the way, aren’t you involved with someone? It’s bad enough you hurt Ramona’s feelings.”
His eyes fire back with frustration. “Get. In. The. Car.”
“I live a block away, asshole. I am not getting in your car.” I turn my back and begin walking, refusing to turn around. I expect to hear the sound of his engine revving, but instead all I hear is silence.
My door is only a few feet away as I turn the corner. I retrieve my keys from my pocket and open the door, only to smell his scent before he says a word.
There’s no turning back now.
Aston followed me here.
And the scary part is—part of me wanted him to follow me.
It’s no longer about the cat chasing the mouse.
It’s the mouse running with the thrill of being caught.