The Billionaire's Forever by Ava Claire Page B

hand. "Don't you dare apologize! We're so freaking proud of you for doing something that makes you happy. This is your day, Leila."
    I felt the tears pricking my eyes so I cleared my throat. "I still wish you were here."
    "Me too." She said fanning her own tears. "If it makes you feel better, it wouldn't have worked out anyway. Scott's been starting trouble with our boss and--" She stopped, shaking her head like she was clearing out some terrible image. "You know what? This isn't about me. Not today."
    I wanted to find out what was going on with Scott, but something in the way her eyes flashed told me she didn't want to talk about it. Like she could sense the tension, Naomi came up behind me.
    "How about her hair?" Naomi looked at me and gave me a pensive look. "May I?"
    I pulled the scarf off, not sure she knew what she was getting herself into. "Good luck."
    She pulled it into a low ponytail. "A bun would be pretty." She released it. "Or something half up and half down?"
    Megan tapped a finger on her chin. "How about if you did something with braids or twists with all of it down?"
    I gave her a skeptical look.
    "Just go with it." Megan looked to Naomi. "I'm seeing two braids on each side sweeping to the back and soft curls flowing down her back."
    Naomi turned to me, narrowing her eyes as she studied me, like she was picturing it before she nodded, slowly, then more enthusiastically. "It'll be beautiful!"
    I still wasn't completely sold, but I figured anything would be better than the frizzy mess I had at the moment.
    "I'll give you two some time alone," Naomi said, releasing her hold on my hair and stepping to the side. "Do you need anything before I gather the things for tonight?"
    I shook my head and she and Megan said their goodbyes before we were in the room alone.
    "Private island, servants--you're living the life, Lay," she teased, green eyes glimmering.
    "My heads still spinning," I laughed, pulling up a chair and collapsing with a sigh. "I can't believe I'm getting married tonight." I bit my lip, the tears coming back. "And my best friend in the world won't be there."
    It was almost ironic in the worst possible way. With every headline about the event the press coined ‘The Whitmore Affair’ I winced, pretty much praying for something to happen and put a stop to it. Eloping with Jacob was something I didn't even think was an option--and the rueful look on Megan's face was enough to remind me that running away with the man of my dreams did have a price.
    I pulled at a fuzzy curl, not looking at the screen because it was a sure fire bet that I would start sobbing uncontrollably.
    "Looks like I'm gonna break my promise."
    "What promise?" she sniffled.
    "You beside me on my wedding day," I said softly, a tear breaking free and dashing onto my cheek.
    "Look at me, Leila."
    I swept the tear away and brought my eyes up to her tear splotched face.
    "I am gonna be beside you."
    I made a face. "Yeah, yeah--in spirit."
    "You see that white box over near the rack? On the little bookshelf?"
    I slid back from the desk and went to the bookcase, a single white box with an ivory bow on it sitting on top of a leather bound copy of Great Expectations .
    I picked it up and lifted the lid and let out a tiny gasp, my heart swelling in my chest. Inside on a bed of cotton was a circle of gold links, a thin strip of white and blush fabric wrapped around the length of it.
    I took it out, looping it around my wrist. "Megan...this is gorgeous."
    "I'm a pretty big fan of it myself."
    I'd been ready to stick my tongue out at her until I glared at the screen and saw her holding up her own wrist. She was wearing the same bracelet.
    My whole face tingled with emotion as I brought my hand to my mouth, not even bothering to pretend my face wasn't melting. "It's...like...the..."
    "Cutest friendship bracelet ever?" She finished in between tears of her own.
    I nodded, looking down at it again, then back at her. "Not the same as you being here, but