It was meant to be a romantic weekend for the four of them. One during which all would celebrate their accomplishments and forget, even for just a few days, the real world to which they would soon return.
Abby Lewis sighed softly as she stared at her best friend, standing just in front of her. Hayley was a beautiful girl—with honey colored-hair that almost matched Abby’s, and a naturally-tan complexion. The two had often been confused as sisters—and many times, they had made believe they were. They may as well have been, for as close as they were.
Hayley stood in front of a mirror, taking in her own appearance—lost in a world of her own fantasy. She wore a thin white dress that reached down to her bare feet and her hair hung in loose curls.
She was a vision of perfection.
Abby watched as her best friend took a deep breath, turning to meet Abby’s eyes. Hayley’s shined brightly, her excitement impossible to contain. She was radiant with glee.
“So you’re really going through with it?” Abby asked quietly after a few moments of smiling at one another, hating to even risk bringing the mood down. Hayley nodded her head happily, not even the vaguest glimmer of doubt visible in her appearance.
“In less than an hour, I will officially be Mrs. Blake Walker.” Abby couldn’t help but admire her friend. She was so certain—so confident about her future, in spite of the fact that she no longer would have any idea about what to expect. Hayley was completely aware of what she was about to sacrifice.
“And you really don’t care about anything that happens?” Abby questioned, imagining herself in Hayley’s position. What if she were about to marry the man of her dreams, knowing how much it would cost her? Abby was fairly certain she wouldn’t be quite as composed as her best friend was.
“I love him, Abbs.” Hayley shrugged her shoulders in a slow, graceful way. “If my dad can’t see that, then…well, that’s his loss, I guess.”
It was that easy for Hayley. She could give it all up in the blink of an eye.
Abby and Hayley came from the same world—they’d grown up together, both daughters to wealthy, powerful men, surrounded by an elitist society.
“He’s never going to speak to you, Hayl. Ever again.” There was a sense of alarm in Abby’s tone, almost pleading with her best friend.
“I can live with that.” Hayley shrugged again. She was so sure of herself —so willing to accept anything that came her way. Abby sometimes found herself a bit envious, though she would never admit it to anyone. Hayley smiled broadly, stepping forward and taking Abby’s hands.
“It’s different for you, Abby. You love your dad—you guys are actually a family. I don’t have that at home. Those people who are willing to turn their back on me simply because of the man I choose to spend the rest of my life with…they’re not important now. You, Logan, and Blake—you’re all I care about. You’re the only family I need.”
Abby swallowed at the lump in her throat, pulling her friend into an embrace. Her heart swelled with affection within her chest, knowing that Hayley meant every word of it. She was letting go of the life she’d come to know and taking very few things with her—but one thing was for certain: Wherever she went, Abby was sure to be at her side.
Abby couldn’t help but admire Hayley’s bravery. It was something she never really thought herself capable of.
An image of a dark haired man conjured in her mind—tall, usually disheveled in appearance—but beautiful, and her heart panged slightly.
Correction. She hadn’t thought herself capable.
Until she’d met Logan Sheppard, anyway.
As if arriving on cue, a knock sounded on the door before the very same unkempt visage appeared, peeking his head around the corner. “You girls about ready?” His voice was smooth as velvet, sending Abby’s pulse into overdrive the instant she heard it.
“Logan! You don’t rush a girl on the most important day of her life!” Hayley scolded. He grinned his perfect grin and Hayley rolled her eyes at him. “You were just hoping to catch the lovely Abby in a state of undress, weren’t you?”
“Well, I can’t say the thought hadn’t crossed my mind…” This time it was Abby’s turn to roll her eyes and she did, turning so that she was facing the doorway. She was amazed how, even after nearly three years, he could still send her heart fluttering wildly about. She braced