Take Three (The Jilted Bride #2)(5)

Jade and I walked around the party hand in hand, kissing each other whenever we had a moment alone.

After my grandmother finished performing her own interpretation of the hula dance, I squeezed Jade’s hand. “Jade, can I please talk to you for a minute?”

“Of course,” she put down her pina colada and followed me inside.

My family and friends quietly followed us into the living room, failing to convincingly hide behind the tall columns.

“I know you’ve hated the long distance relationship we’ve had over the past two years, and I have too,” I said. “I want you to know that I finally listed my home for sale last week and I’m more than willing to move to Los Angeles to be with you.”

She gasped.

I got down on one knee and looked into her eyes. “For the past two years you’ve been my best friend and the woman I could always count on. You’re the most beautiful, talented, and ambitious person I know, and I’m happy to say that you are who I want to start my future with.”

“Ethan…” she whispered.

“I don’t want to spend another day in separate cities, and I don’t want to go another hour without making you mine. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?”

“Ethan I—”

“Say yes. Say yes first,” I smiled.

“I—”

“Marry me.”

“I met someone else.”

What did she say?

“What?” I was pretty sure I didn’t hear her correctly.

“I’m sorry,” she took a step back. “I didn’t know you were planning to propose…I thought we were just celebrating your birthday.”

My friends and family let out a collective gasp.

“You didn’t mention someone else when he was taking you to France, Italy, and Bora Bora every month!” my grandmother yelled. “Did you? Did you!”

“Grams stop that,” I stood up.

“Ask her why she never mentioned this when you were taking her on all those trips!” she shook her head and frantically motioned for everyone else to go back outside.

Embarrassed, I tried to control my anger. “You met someone else? When were you planning to tell me?”

“Tonight.”

“On my birthday?”

“Well technically, after your birthday…once you took me home. I’m so sorry, Ethan. You’re an amazing guy and I do love you, but not enough to marry you. I never really minded the long distance; it was you and all your checkpoints.”

I can’t believe this…This is not happening to me…

“Checkpoints?” I scoffed. “What are you talking about?”

“When we first met, you were carefree and fun and just…different. Ever since you went back to Autumn Wonder—”

“You’re blaming me for your infidelity? You’re joking, right?”

“Ethan, I’m saying that over the past year, you’ve been more calculated and safe. And you grade everything! You graded my last Christmas present to you! What did you give it again? An eight out of ten?”

Six out of ten…

She sighed. “You started going through these little checkpoints like, Oh it’s been six months, time to meet each other’s parents. It’s been eight months, time to go on a trip together. It’s been—”

“Just stop,” I shut the ring box and put it back in my pocket. “I think I’ll take you home now.”

“I still want to be friends, if that’s okay with you.”

What!

“Jade…” I balled my fists to prevent myself from exploding.

“Can we please be friends?”

“Jade, you just dumped me on my birthday, in front of my whole damn family. I don’t think so. It’s getting late. Let me take you back to your hotel.”

“I’m sorry…Can we still go to Hawaii tomorrow?”

“What? No! Let’s go!”

Chapter 3

Selena

“Samantha! Samantha!” I yelled.

Why haven’t I fired her yet? I shouldn’t have to yell to get the attention of my “personal” assistant!

She stepped into my bedroom. “Yes, Miss Ross?”

“My water isn’t at room temperature. Does it feel like winter in my room?”

“No...”

“So why is there ice in my glass? Remake it and get me the latest Us Weekly.”

“Yes, Miss Ross,” she walked away.

I’ll fire her once she brings it back.

I turned the TV on and flipped to the E channel. I wasn’t too worried about the so-called “scandalous” pictures, but I knew their coverage would be indicative of how the other news outlets would report them.

“Good afternoon everyone, and thank you for watching E News!” Ryan Seacrest sat at the news desk in a dark gray suit. “Our top story of the day, of the year really, is Selena Ross and director Phillip Hartford! Us Weekly released the photos last night and both A-listers are in some very compromising positions! Here with the scoop is Us Weekly editor Shannon Mason. Good afternoon, Shannon.”

“Good afternoon, Ryan!” she beamed.

“Tell us, what exactly transpired over the past few weeks and how did you guys keep it under wraps for so long?”