Lost in Paradise (Paradise Club #2)(48)

“I’d say cheers to a great day wedding dress shopping, but I’d be lying,” I say, cracking a bad joke.

“I know you don’t understand why I’m doing this.”

“No, Olivia, that’s the thing … I do get why you’re doing it. I just don’t agree with it,” I tell her honestly. We never fight, and I hate that this stupid wedding is putting a wedge between us. We sit there in silence composing ourselves.

“So, how was your holiday?” Liv asks, changing the subject completely, which is probably for the best right now.

“I had so much fun at the resort. It was amazing.”

“And?” Liv asks.

I look around the busy area and make sure no one can hear what we’re talking about.

“I did things that I never thought I’d ever do,” I respond quickly.

“Which was?” Liv inquires with a smile as she leans forward waiting to hear everything.

“I was spanked. I walked around naked on the beach. I was tied up. I …” I feel the heat pooling against my cheeks, so I trail off.

“Yes, go on … come on, let me live vicariously through you,” Liv pushes with a wide grin.

“I had a threesome.”

Liv gasps loudly before reining it in. “No way. Tell me more.”

I shake my head. “It’s nothing, but it was fun. Two men, I mean.” I giggle, remembering Granger and Kostas and all the things they did to me.

“I’m so excited for you.” Liv grins, and I can see the tension from today is slowly slipping away as she listens to my debaucherous tales.

“I want to go to the club in London. I want to become a member,” I confess. It’s something I’ve been thinking about since coming home.

“Really?” My friend is surprised. I can tell by her raised eyebrows and tilted head.

“Yes, I get why you changed when you came back from Monaco.”

“What do you mean?” she asks as a frown falls across her face.

“You were more confident in yourself as a woman. There’s something about being with two men who desire you … they make you feel like you can take on the world.”

“Hot sex will do that.” Liv giggles.

“Also, the love of the right man will as well.” I give her a pointed look.

“I messed up. I get it. You’re upset with me. I sent invitations to Vanessa and everyone, and they all declined. I guess they’re all firmly on team Axel.”

I take her hand in mine, trying to reassure her they don’t hate her, but they are Axel’s family. “Vanessa is now Axel’s sister-in-law, and he’s her family.” Liv gives me a small nod. “And Camryn, well, you know she never keeps her opinions to herself. She’s upset because she wants to see you happy, and you know Eddie is never going to make you happy.”

Liv lets out a heavy sigh. “I’m going to divorce Eddie when my father …” she doesn’t finish the words she wants to say as tears start to stream down her cheeks.

“Oh, Liv …” I pull her into a hug.

“I know he won’t make me happy. I hate him, and I hate my sister, but I love my father, and this is his dying wish. He’s hanging onto life waiting to watch me walk down the aisle.” Liv sniffles.

Damn! I hadn’t realized her father was that sick.

“I know, Liv, I know, and it’s noble what you’re doing. People can’t judge unless they have walked in your shoes, but you can’t ask people to support something they’re against, either.” I’m trying to be sympathetic but also a realist that she’s going to be disappointed and not everyone in her life will support her.

“Lucky I still have you on my side.” She sniffles again.

“I’m on this crazy ride with you all the way,” I tell her, giving her a tight squeeze.

“Not sure what I’d do if I didn’t have you here with me.”

“You’d be stuck with Penny,” I joke.

Liv grimaces before she breaks out in a laugh.





It was hard saying goodbye to Liv. The next time I’ll see her will be at her wedding, which I still pray doesn’t happen. It’s sad that we live at the opposite ends of the country and can’t get together more often than we do.

Alex: Did your friend find a wedding dress?

The message pops up on my phone as soon as I take it off airplane mode, and I disembark the plane.

Ivy: Yeah, she did. It was a disaster. Just landed, I can’t wait to get home.

Alex: Do you need a lift?

Ivy: Aw thanks, but I can grab a cab. The city airport isn’t far from home.

That was nice of Alex to offer. Thankfully, I flew into London City Airport, which is only thirty minutes from my place if traffic is good.

“Ivy,” a deep voice calls out, halting me as I look up from my phone. Standing there, dressed in jeans, a white shirt, and a navy pullover is Alex. I’m surprised to see him, then he pulls a huge bouquet of roses from behind his back, and instantly I melt. Oh, my goodness, that is nice. His face lights up the closer I get to him.

“Hope it’s not too creepy turning up like this. I wanted to see you, even if it is just for the ride home,” he explains.

He wants to see me again so much that he has turned up at the airport just to spend thirty minutes taking me home. I’m overwhelmed with how I feel about this. No one’s ever cared enough to go to this much effort to spend a few minutes of time with me.