More on this book
Community
Kindle Notes & Highlights
Then weddings suck even more. I would have skipped it if I could have and stayed home with a bowl of ramen and the latest season of Bridgerton.
I’d raise a toast to this guy and whatever god created him.
“Apologies, I didn’t mean to disturb you when you were so busy.”
“You don’t believe in marriage?”
“I suppose I just don’t believe in happily ever afters … of any kind,” he finally replies with a shrug. “How can you promise someone forever? Nothing lasts forever.”
“Just because my ex-husband was a cheating asshole doesn’t mean that all men are.”
What’s your name, rosa?”
“That might not be my real name either. Maybe I saw you from across the room and decided to come talk to you. Maybe I’m not even a guest at this wedding.”
“Actually, I quite like dancing. I don’t think I’ve danced like this for years.
I’m trying to make a good impression, so I’d hate for you to think I’m an ass. And you are far too lovely to be compared to a donkey.”
“It just felt like the right time. And who knows, maybe it was fate. Maybe I was meant to be here for this wedding. Maybe I was meant to meet you, Amelia.”
“I guess it’s a pretty awesome view,” I reply breathlessly, admiring the way the material of his shirt molds to his muscular physique. “But I prefer the one from here.”
“When I make you come, I want to hear you cry out my real name. Drake.”
“Your ex must be a fucking idiot, because that is one of the sweetest pussies I have ever tasted in my life.”
“You see, Scarlet? You taste like absolute fucking heaven.”
“You like what you see, mi rosa?” he asks. “I sure do.”
“You weren’t behaving like a gentleman about ten minutes ago,” she murmurs, and I can’t help but smile.
I’ll never see him again, and that’s exactly the way I want it. Isn’t it?
“Do you want me to take him, corazón?” She smiles sweetly at him, and I swear he melts into a puddle before my eyes. It’s like when the Wicked Witch of the West gets doused in water.
“Yeah. She would’ve loved this.”
Amelia Ryder, get a damn grip. You are a Harvard-educated business graduate, and you will not be face-planting anywhere.
“To new beginnings. May the best day of your past be the worst day of your future.”
Amelia Ryder is my secretary and nothing more.
“Fate,” he says, leaning back in his chair, his expression distant, “can be an absolute bitch.
It leaves a little cream mustache on Elijah’s upper lip, which I’m definitely not going to tell him about.
“What I feel for Amelia Ryder isn’t anywhere near love, Elijah.
“I’m sure. Love isn’t for me. I’m not the kind of man who can ever promise a woman forever.”
And I guess I can’t blame him. I’m not sure I believe me either.
“Even that. I don’t ever want to be dependent on a man again, Emily. Not after what happened with Chad.
You’re kind of lit up from the inside. It’s like a completely different version of you than the one I know.” I suppose Emily’s right—I am different around him.
It might have meant little to him, but it’s already changed me in ways he can’t imagine.
Does that make me sound like Bruce Wayne?”
“This is great, Amelia. Perfect, in fact.”
Jeez. This man is really passionate about donuts.
I’ve ever regretted tasting something so good that I can’t stop thinking about it? Something that I’m addicted to even though I know it’s bad for me?”
“I have, Amelia.”
“You.”
This thing with Amelia has got to stop.
“Yes, I tend to get distracted by women I find attractive.”
“You find me attractive?” “Oh, come on. Of course I do. You already know that, surely?” Maybe she doesn’t. She genuinely doesn’t see herself as the knockout she is, which makes her even more adorable.
Now, can I talk to you about a woman?”
“Oh darling, of course you can. I’ve been waiting years to hear those words come out of your mouth.”
I pour my heart out to my sister-in-law, telling her all about the woman who haunts my every waking thought.
“You don’t trust me?”
“Look, Mr. James—” “I’m Drake today, and you’re Amelia. Unless you want to be Scarlet again?”
“No, you should have spoken to me like that,” he replies, looming over me, his eyes scanning my face like he’s trying to memorize it. “I deserved it, and I’m the one who’s sorry.”
“I am sorry, Amelia. I’ve been a jackass. I … I’m a mess when I’m around you, and I’ve been so busy trying to hide it that I forgot your feelings. But like I said, nothing has changed. This is still wrong. This is still a bad idea.”
“I’ve got you, Amelia,” he whispers into my ear. “I’ve got you.”
but I suspect I’m more a bottle of Bud kind of girl.
“Even better. What’s life without a little mess?”
