Kinley wanted to cry. She was utterly and completely alone, and arguing with her best friend in the world sent her into a tailspin. "I wish you could accept that Greg is going to be a part of my life."
Belle leaned in. "Are you doing this because you need a man? I can get you one. If you're not interested in California Mike, I can find you the hottest man who will rock your world. Then you will forget you ever heard the name Greg Jansen. As a matter of fact, I could find you two or three amazing guys. I could get them here really fast, too."
She wondered what Mike and his brothers looked like and wished she could see them just once and indulge in a moment of fantasy before she had to face reality again.
Kinley turned back to the mirror because she couldn't stand to look at Belle when she was lying through her teeth. "I only want Greg."
Two or three hot guys might light up her world for a night, but all her responsibilities would still be waiting the next day. She just had to accept that sexual desire wasn't in the cards for her.
"Kinley, I don't understand. When we were kids and we were planning out our weddings, I ask you to describe your groom. Do you remember that?"
"I remember that you wanted to marry Leonardo DiCaprio." They had watched Titanic about a hundred times that year and she'd cried every single time. What would have happened to Rose and Jack if he'd lived? Would she have regretted leaving the money behind? Would Rose have been able to live with the ruin it would have brought her family?
Or would she have been happy to have lived with her soul mate?
There were tears in Belle's eyes as she forced Kinley to turn. "Yes, I was very picky back then. But you weren't. You only had one requirement. Do you remember?"
"I said it didn't matter how he looked or how much money he had as long as he was a good man." Which just showed how young she was. Naïve. God, she wanted to be that little girl again.
"Greg Jansen is not a good man, Kinley." She whispered the words as though they had some kind of power, as though she prayed they would make their way into Kinley's heart.
She couldn't let them in.
Kinley broke away and turned back to the mirror, forcing down the need to cry. She didn't want to lose Belle, but it looked like she might. "The feds cleared Greg of all charges. And I don't care about how good he is. He's going to be my husband. Have you seen all the gifts he's already given me?"
A long sigh came from Belle and her oldest friend hugged her from behind. "I'm not stupid." She put her head on Kinley's shoulder. "I wish I was more than a secretary so I could bail you out of this mess."
Relief swept over her. Maybe she didn't have to tell Belle a thing. "You understand?"
Her best friend's face softened. "I know you feel like you have to marry him. I think it's wrong and you deserve better."
"Then why are you here?" She sniffled a little. It would be horrible if Belle walked out.
Belle took her hand, giving it a hearty squeeze. "Because we made a promise. I will love you forever. You are my best friend and that will never change. I will forgive you for the stupid things you do and I will be there to help you hide the bodies. God, Kin, call me when you need to bury Greg. I will come with a shovel and a bottle of tequila."
She laughed a little but shook her head. Once she said "I do," she was in it for life. No matter what Becks or Belle said, Kinley was going to make her marriage work. Even if she worried that her husband was a major douchebag.
Belle peered closer at her. "You look pale. You're not eating, are you?"
"I had a light breakfast." Of course it was almost three o'clock now, and all she'd had today was a grapefruit. With a little bit of sugar, and she'd felt guilty about that.
"I speak Kinley so I know what that means. You had next to nothing. I'm calling room service." Belle moved toward the phone.
"Don't. I'm getting married in an hour. I can't eat."
"Eating is normal. You have to do it or you're going to pass out."
She did feel a little faint, but... "I will after the ceremony. It's just … Becks said the dress looks too tight. I don't want to be the fat bride."
"You're not. Becks planted that idea in your head because she's a heinous bitch. You're perfect the way you are. Seriously, you have a whole ceremony and pictures to get through. It could be hours before you get to eat again, so I'm going to make sure you do it now."
"Belle, I-"
"Damn it. I'm your best friend. I'm going to watch out for you." She picked up the phone. "Yes, we're in suite 2010. That's right the Presidential Suite. We need a couple of burgers."