had fun, and yes, some of us have found someone. But I can’t help but wonder how many connections are rushed. Relationships that could have unfolded naturally and found its way to a ring after years of being together, not weeks.
“Not to mention the nonstop, constant fantasy of it all. This isn’t dating.” Her voice rose with every word. “Dating is an awkward mess of jokes that don’t land, checking your phone every five minutes, eating food you hate because it’s their favorite, and laughing about it while you lie in bed.”
“Mila.” I rubbed her hand. “It’s okay.”
“It’s not okay,” she cried. “I don’t want any of this. It makes me sick that the community supports this. If we all truly believe that money and suitable matches mean more than love, why am I fighting it?”
“If this isn’t what you want—”
“It’s not, Belle.” She got to her feet. “I’m done fighting. I’m going home and finding someone who’ll choose me without having to be told that it’s allowed.”
Crash!
We jumped, snapping our heads around.
Delilah stood among her scattered dinner and plate shards. The color bleached from her complexion, matching our white décor.
“Mila?” Her voice shook. “You’re leaving?”
“Yes. I can’t do this anymore, Lilah.” My friend snatched up her purse.
“Wait!”
“Wait for wh—!”
Delilah grabbed her mid-march, whirled Mila around, and kissed her.
If I wasn’t already sitting, I would’ve fallen over.
Mila shrieked into the kiss, shocked, and then threw her arms around Delilah and kissed her right back.
I did fall over then, toppling on Carter’s chest. My eyes were wide as saucers as it all finally clicked into place.
“Wait for that,” Delilah stated. “I’m sorry, Mila. I love you so much. Please, don’t go.”
Mila backed away. “I can’t watch someone else propose to you.”
“You won’t have to.” She faced us. “Preston, it’s over. We’re not getting married.”
“Lilah,” he began. “You know I want this for you but—”
“But my father is an evil, homophobic fuck,” she finished. “You’ve been so amazing, Preston. More supportive than my own family. If I was into guys, you would’ve made an amazing husband, but we both know”—she looked to me—“that you want to be free of this just as much as I do.
“All I can do is promise you I won’t let him carry out his threats. I’ll protect you like you did for me. But I choose you,” she said to Mila. “As my girlfriend, not my fiancée. We’re both leaving this place and going back to the real world where we’ll go to NYU, move in together, fight and make up a million times, and when we’re both sure, I’m going to marry the shit out of you.”
Mila gasped on a sob, beaming from ear to ear. “Are you sure... this is what you want?”
“Of course I’m sure. I’ve been in love with you for six years, Mila Anderson. You’re the only thing I’ve ever been sure about.”
The girls kissed again—to the sound of raucous applause.
“IT SUDDENLY MAKES SO much sense.”
“I wanted to tell you,” he said.
Preston and I walked arm in arm down the hall, uncaring of who saw.
“August caught her with Mila when she was thirteen. He made up his mind to cut that potential scandal off at the knees and tie her to a wealthy, suitable husband.”
“But you said he didn’t anticipate you giving her freedom.”
“Nope.”
We entered their private wing and Preston drew ahead to draw back the sliding glass. Kimberly and her group could strut around knowing the night before was the best party of the summer. Mila and Delilah were in their rooms packing as we spoke.
“For the last six years, I’ve been her beard. Getting her out of the house for shopping, dates, and that crap, so she could really meet up with Mila. I told her I wouldn’t expect anything of her even after we were married. She didn’t need to hang on my arm at events or drop little Prestons. She could live her life with Mila or whoever made her happy.”
“That’s really amazing of you, Preston.” He reached to pull out my chair but I reached for him, wrapping his arms around me, and sharing a lingering kiss. “Why are you such a good man?”
“Because it gets me sex.” He winked. “I’m hoping the trend continues.”
This guy.
“It will,” I said. “You and I are going to have more sex than you can stand.”
“I don’t have a limit, but we’ll break records testing that theory.”
I nipped his nose. “There’s just one thing I don’t understand. Why has Delilah been