Chapter 1
He went and threw a secret wedding for some college girl. By the time I got there, the two of them were up on stage, kissing like they’d just won the lottery, the crowd egging them on. Michael caught sight of me, raised an eyebrow, and smirked. “She wanted her big day, that’s all. Relax, we never signed anything.”
I didn’t cry. Didn’t scream. Just turned around and walked away.
He thought I was just being dramatic–until the city’s most eligible bachelor posted a photo of our marriage certificate.}
That night, Michael showed up at my door, soaked from the rain, banging like a madman.
I opened the door, cheeks still blushing from making out. “Don’t worry,” I told him, smiling. “I just signed the papers. Didn’t bother with the wedding.”
1
Then Damon strolled down the stairs, wearing nothing but a towel, and pulled me into his arms. “Oh? So I’m just the secret boyfriend now?”
01
The wedding was buzzing. Guests shouted for the newlyweds to kiss. The girl looked nervous in her white dress, but Michael just grabbed her and kissed her even deeper
I stood there in a fog, watching my fiancé kiss another woman on stage.
One of Michael’s friends spotted me and panicked. “June…“N
The whole room went silent.
I walked up to Michael. The bride tried to hide behind him, all awkward and terrified.
Michael didn’t even flinch. He just wrapped an arm around her and gave me a lazy smile. “Madison wanted a big wedding, so I gave her one. Don’t worry, we’re not legally married. The only Mrs. Norton in this world is you.”
We’d been together since we were kids, our engagement arranged right after college. Michael was notorious for fooling around. There were new girlfriends every month, and I was always the one left embarrassed.N
I just smiled and pulled a small velvet box from my purse. The Norton family heirloom bracelet was in it, the one that’s supposed to go to Michael’s wife. I handed it to him. “Here. Take it back.”
He turned the box over in his hand, smirking. “You’re pulling out the big guns now? Using the bracelet to get me to break up?”
I caught the disbelief in his eyes. “Michael, we’re done. Our engagement is over. From now on, we’re just two strangers.”
His face changed instantly. “June, say that again!”
One of his friends tried to step in, desperate to calm things down. “June, don’t be upset. This wedding doesn’t count. Michael’s just fooling around. You’re the one he’s really going to many.”
I watched my fiancé marry someone else, and I didn’t shed a single tear. I just turned and left, calm as ever.
“Michael, you better go after her!” someone urged.
He scoffed. “What’s the point? It’s not like this hasn’t happened before. She’ll crawl back in a few days, like always.”
His friend frowned. “It’s never been this bad, though! Any woman would lose her mind if the man she loves married someone else. Maybe you should check on her.” Michael glanced toward the door, his eyes dark and unreadable.
Madison tugged at his sleeve. Can I see the bracelet?”
02/
Tieft the wedding and called Sandy, my best friend, to meet me at a bar.
By the time she arrived, I’d already demolished two bottles of red wine. She took one look and got it immediately. “What happened this time? Was it a celebrity, or did Michael go for a college girl again?”
Just hearing his name made my chest ache. “He got married today.”
After I told her everything. Sandy grabbed a bottle like she was ready to go bash Michael’s head in. “You should’ve dumped him ages ago! Here, I just added you to a group chat–every guy in there is top tier. Take your pick.”
My phone started blowing up with notifications. In less than a minute, thirty guys had added me as a friend.
“I’m going to the bathroom,” I said.e
Out in the hallway, a man was leaning against the wall, completely out of place in his sharp suit. His shirt was half unbuttoned, a cigarette dangling from his lips. He looked up, catching my gaze, and frowned
Damon?
What the hell was he doing here?!!
I walked over, gave him a small smile Mr. Powell, got a light?“%
He arched a brow. “Didn’t you become a good girl after you got with Michael? What if he finds out you smoke?”
I didn’t answer. He leaned in, voice low and teasing “Heard he threw a massive wedding for someone else today. So you two done?”
I reached for his cigarettes and lighter, lit one, and blew out a thin stream of smoke I smirked “Damon, wanna come home with me tonight?
