Ending with Forever by Lan LLP Page B

I’m a shitty friend.”
    “No you’re not. You’re going through a lot. I can’t imagine being in your place.”
    “Thanks for understanding. Love you, Lips.”
    “Me too, Lashes.” Emi branded me that nickname. She accused me of having fake lashes because mine are so long and thick. I had to offer her a good tug on them to prove her wrong.
    “Carson is perfect…like a character that’s stepped out of one of my favorite movies. I love him so much that even the thought of losing him drives me insanely mad. You know me. I’ve never been this dependent on anyone, especially on a man. Am I pathetic or what?”
    “No. You’re not. You’re in love. That’s what you’re supposed to feel. From what Belle tells me, he sounds solid. No billionaire gives up an entire month for a woman he just wants a quick fling with.”
    “I want to believe that, but he’s rich, gorgeous and always surrounded by beautiful women. I have reasons for my insecurity. Any normal woman in my shoes would feel the same way.”
    “True, but he wants to marry you and not some bimbo in five-inch heels,” she retorts with a silly face. I chuckle and nod in agreement. Emi’s right. I shouldn’t doubt Carson’s love for me. What the heck’s wrong with me? My jealousy is very childish.
    “Now I have to convince my mom.” A heavy sigh escapes me, knowing this will be one of the toughest challenges I’ll have to overcome.
    “She wants what’s best for you. If Carson is best for you, she’ll listen to your heart.”
    “I hope so. Wish me luck.”
    “You don’t need luck. You have Carson.”
    Her reply makes my face beam bright. “I better get going. I’ve taken up enough of your time. I’m really happy for you, Emi. You deserve only the happiest of endings.” Circling my arms around Emi, I hug her into my chest to offer her all my love and support like a sister would.
    “Thanks, Lil. You do, too. Carson is really amazing. My dream wedding is all due to him.”
    “What do you mean?” I ask as I give her a puzzled look.
    “He paid for everything and had his people orchestrate the entire wedding: reception place, five-star catering by a celebrity chef, exotic flowers from L&H DeZinz, an entire security team fit for the president himself, and a honeymoon to Bora-Bora, my dream destination. All this he did just to surprise you with a trip to Fort Wayne for your best friend’s wedding.”
    I’m stunned. “But I heard Devan won a lottery of some sort.”
    “Devan didn’t win anything but me,” she giggles. “He’s as broke as a law student can be. Carson wanted the groom to get the glory for giving his bride her dream wedding, so they made up the lottery story.”
    “I see.” I honest to God don’t deserve Carson. While I continue to doubt the longevity of our relationship and his love for me, he’s saving the world and planning my best friend’s wedding to make me happy. How much more does it take to get through my dense head?
Carson Bradley
    It’s been at least three hours already and no calls from Lil, not even a single text or an emoji. I despise waiting. It’s not something I’m accustomed to. To trim away the torment of waiting, I paced around this country estate several times wearing down the soles of my Italian leather shoes. And now, I’m looking out the master bedroom window to a scenic view of the woods and streaming creek, trying to escape my edginess. Disappointedly, it’s not helping me any. The bodyguard reported no activities outside her home. Why won’t she call me to put my mind at ease? The damn briefcase on the oak executive desk at the far end of the room keeps hollering at me. The papers inside it want out and into Lil’s mother’s hands. Owen had advised me against having such a drastic clause to be added to a binding agreement, but I ignored him. Basically, I told my lawyers to make Lillian the president of my company if for any reason I fail to be a loving and faithful husband to her. With