It's a Fugly Life (Fugly #2)(54)

“And you had women like Adeline to keep your bed warm,” I said.

He made a noncommittal shrug. “I was a declared bachelor and had no interest in anything serious with anyone. Least of all Adeline. But then I met you, Lily.”

His words made me feel all toasty and gooey inside.

He continued, “I’m not sure the exact moment it happened, but I realized that life could be better with you in it. I could be successful and happy.” He shook his head. “I never thought happiness would be in the cards for me. There was only moving forward.” He kissed me, and the velvety softness of his lips made me melt.

Then it made me super horny.

I leaned into him, deepening the kiss. I placed my hand on his thigh and slowly ran it up to his groin, where I found a very hard and long something wonderful.

He pushed my hand away and broke the kiss. “Uh-uh. Not until the wedding night.”

“What?” I protested. “Who set up that rule?”

“I did. Otherwise, I doubt we’ll ever get through the actual ceremony. Or the dinner.”

“Come on. The bathroom’s right there.” I pointed to the teeny room. “We can totally fit.”

Meanwhile the plane had completely stopped.

Max unfastened his seatbelt and adjusted himself. I could only stare hopelessly at the magnificent part of his body he’d just denied me.

“So I’ll see you tomorrow, then?” He pulled my carry-on out of a small closet near the front exit and set it down.

“Yes.” I pouted. “And tell Mark no hookers, strippers, or too much scotch. I need you disease-free and hangover-free tomorrow.” Mark Douglas, the guy who had been my mentor and was Max’s friend, had planned some sort of private bachelor party thing at a posh club in L.A.

I stood and walked over to Max, taking one last look at him. He was so beautiful, more now than ever because I loved him so much.

“All right now.” He scooted me toward the door, which had been opened up by the copilot.

I suddenly felt nervous, my stomach knotting, my pulse racing, my brain scrambling to keep me from feeling like something was going to go wrong.

“What?” Max gripped my shoulders, probably noticing my extremely pale face.

I took a breath and closed my eyes. Breathe, breathe, breathe. The sensation started to subside. “Nothing, just a little woozy from the flight, I think?” I made a little circle on my stomach.

“You sure? I’ll cancel the party if you need me to stay.”

How sweet. “No. I’m good. I promise.” I stepped toward the door, doing my best to hide what was really going on. Horror. Crippling horror. That voice inside my head telling me that something would get in our way, that I’d ruin it. I didn’t deserve him, and sooner or later, he’d come to realize it, leaving me with nothing but a giant broken heart.

Stop it. Cold feet, you idiot. Perfectly normal. I went to my tiptoes and gave Max a peck on the lips. “I love you, Mr. Cole. Have fun tonight, but not too much fun.” I winked and descended the staircase.

“I love you, too,” he called out. “No getting arrested, Miss Snow!”

“Har har.” I was going to my parents’ house for the night. Danny was already here in town with Calvin, though he wasn’t invited. Girls only. Okay, except for my dad, who planned to hide in his room, watching a game. My longtime childhood friends Kate and Nell were coming over, along with a few of my mother’s best friends, who were more like her sisters. We’d planned to do floral arrangements, play a few games—they were going to drink champagne, I was not—and watch some movies—The Proposal or Maid of Honor—chick-flick stuff.

I waved at Max and smiled. There was this moment where I think he realized that my smile was a lie, but I turned and headed for the parking lot, where my mom was waiting to pick me up.

I heard the door of the plane close and the engines start up.

Everything will be fine, Lily. Everything will be fine as long as you don’t f*ck it up.





“Lily, you look absolutely gorgeous.” The next morning, my mother preened over the white veil stuck to the tight bun on the back of my head while I finished my makeup. Today, I felt like a princess. I woke up late after a long night of girl-fun, the best part being watching them get hammered and act like total idiots, including my mother, who decided to show us dance moves from the seventies.

We’d finished up tying the ribbons on the floral arrangements we’d all made last night, and my father had taken them over to the church this morning.

I texted Max, but didn’t hear back from him until one-ish.

Me: how’d it go last night? Any unusual rashes? Incriminating photos?

Max: very tame evening. See you soon

Tame, huh? I found that hard to believe, but okay. As for me, the jitters were only getting worse. I’d had a nightmare of me standing at the altar in my dress, facing Max and Patricio in their tuxes. “Who do you choose, Lily?” they repeated again and again. “Tell us who!”

“I choose Max,” I’d say and then Patricio would begin yelling, “You are making a mistake, Lily! He will never stand by you! He is not loyal.” Max would simply stand there staring at me. Not a word in his own defense.

“Honey,” my father peeked into my bedroom, which was now their guest room, “the limo is here.”