Truth or Dare - Danielle Allen Page 0,38

plan was always going to fail. But if you’re in the mix, it’s going to seem like it failed because of you and not because he doesn’t want her.”

“Yeah, I know.” I paused. “But I didn’t plan this. I didn’t ever think… you know Kingston has always been my homie. That’s it.”

“Yeah, but after everyone saw the sparks during that kiss, she asked you if there was any interest there and you said no.”

I closed my eyes and let my head fall back. “I know! That’s the thing I keep kicking myself about. I didn’t mean to lie. I didn’t even know I was lying. If I would’ve just known what was happening, I could’ve avoided this altogether.” I lifted my head and looked at my best friend. “I thought I was just horny and because he’s a good kisser, it made my body react. I thought it was the alcohol and… I didn’t see this coming.”

She patted my back. “I did.”

“Shut up!” I laughed, turning off the water.

“When you two were walking up the dock, the first thing I thought was that you two had a vibe,” she whispered. “But then when I realized it was Kingston, I forgot all about that and focused on his vacation body.”

“I just—” The knock on the door cut my sentence short and made me jump.

Tisha looked at me and then pulled the door open.

“Everything okay?” Chloe asked.

I gasped. “Oh my God…” I put my hand to my chest. “You are so beautiful!”

“You are the most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen,” Tisha agreed.

“Why are you acting like you haven’t seen me already?” Chloe giggled.

I gestured to her hair. “We haven’t seen you with the veil. And I don’t know… the veil just pulls it all together.”

“Well, thank you.” She beamed. “And I have the most beautiful bridesmaids I’ve ever seen.”

Tisha nodded. “Facts.”

“I’ve moved up the timeline a bit to beat the storm,” Inez announced, interrupting our laughter from somewhere in the suite. “Chloe, your dad’s here. Mom, follow me.”

I turned around to fully inspect my dress and then followed Tisha out of the bathroom.

The photographer snapped pictures of us as we were told what to do and where to go. It was a whirlwind. In what felt like ten minutes, we went from posing with Mr. Park in the suite to meeting the guys on the beach.

We walked down the stairs at the backdoor of the ballroom and ducked behind a partition that kept us out of sight from the guests and Maria let out a wolf whistle. “I never realized how hot my friends are!”

“I have,” Tisha commented. “Turn around and let me see you from the back!”

“You guys look great,” I laughed, shaking my head. Gesturing between our outfits, I nodded appreciatively. “The khaki and white looks good with the rose gold.”

As everyone talked at the same time, the excitement bubbling to the surface, I tried to look normal. I glanced around at the guys, making a point not to look at Kingston for too long. I hadn’t seen him since he left my room that morning and just the sight of him gave me flashbacks.

Looking directly at Dominick, I smiled. “You make a handsome groom, sir. You will complement your gorgeous bride perfectly.”

Inez interrupted the mini reunion, bringing over Dom’s parents and Chloe’s mother. “It’s time.”

“You look beautiful,” Kingston told me as we stood next to each other.

“You look handsome,” I returned, still refusing to look at him for too long.

I felt him staring at me.

“Are you okay?” he wondered.

I looked around for Corrine. When I saw her talking to her mom near the edge of the partition, I pulled his arm so I could whisper in his ear. “Corrine said she heard us.”

He looked at me, his eyebrows in the middle of his forehead. “Oh wow…”

“Yeah.”

A smile played on his lips. “Well you were loud…”

“It’s not funny, Kingston,” I scolded him quietly.

“What’s the big deal? She’s grown. She’s been married before so I’m sure she’s had sex before.”

I lowered my voice even more. “It’s a big deal because…” I glanced over my shoulder to make sure she was still preoccupied. Unfortunately she was on her way back to her spot, so I turned to Kingston. I opened my mouth and started to tell him what happened with Corrine and why it was problematic. But as our eyes locked, it hit me like a punch in the gut that he had no idea why it was a problem.

“Because what?”

I swallowed