Chapter 428
Caitlin grinned. “All right, I’ll let you make a wish p>
Gordon looked down at her, his deep voice roughened by an edge of hoarseness. “Can’t let a good chance go to waste. I’m saving it for later p>
He paused, eyes fixed on her with an intensity that felt almost tangible. “Is that okay?” His gaze, dark and fathomless, seemed to draw her in, as if she might fall right into him.
She smiled, lips curving. “Fine by me. But you’re not allowed to get cocky-you have to keep this up p>
“Deal p>
Caitlin reached up and pinched his cheek, still half-disbelieving the moment. Just half an hour ago, they’d been nothing more than friends.
Meanwhile, Raven waited outside the café, convinced that Gordon would come out and finally confess his feelings to her.
Suddenly, an excited buzz rippled through the crowd.
“Look! So many balloons p>
“They’re beautiful p>
“They’re all heart-shaped-someone must be making a declaration of love p>
“Hey, those balloons are coming from the rooftop garden at Lakeside Bistro. I heard someone booked the whole place today-bet it’s for a proposal p>
“A proposal at Lakeside Bistro? That must’ve cost a fortune p>
Raven’s head snapped up.
Sure enough, dozens of balloons floated into the sky, painting a breathtaking
scene.
Clearly, Gordon was head over heels for her. He was even using real balloons for the rehearsal.
She couldn’t help but smile. If only these people knew she was the real star of this story-they’d be green with envy.
Balloons and all, the rehearsal must be wrapping up. It wouldn’t be long now. Any minute, Gordon would come out, flowers in hand, braving the wind and the fluttering balloons, and confess to her in front of everyone-maybe even get down on one knee and ask her to be his girlfriend.
Raven’s heart pounded in her chest, fast and wild, as if it might burst. She’d waited for this day for fifteen years. Fifteen years!
A girl’s voice rang out again, “Miss Kensington, I love you? Looks like today’s lucky lady is someone named Kensington p>
What?
Miss Kensington p>
Raven went pale, like icy water had been dumped over her head in the dead of winter, chilling her all the way to her bones.
How could it be Miss Kensington?
Her name was Raven Cartwright.
Cartwright-Raven Cartwright!
No, it had to be a mistake.
She took a steadying breath and marched over to the couple holding the balloon. “You read it wrong! It’s not Miss Kensington, it’s Miss Cartwright! Miss Cartwright p>
The couple stared at her, dumbstruck, as Raven snatched the balloon from their hands. Only when she saw the writing on it did the truth finally sink in.
Miss Kensington?
How could it be Miss Kensington?
Gordon was supposed to love her!
Her knees nearly buckled; even her lips were trembling. She felt wretched, like a
fish flung out of water, unable to draw a breath.
Why?
Why not her?
Why would Gordon turn his back on her?
Why did Caitlin have to be so shameless, inserting herself between them? Did
she think being the other woman was something to be proud of?
“Aaah p>
Raven couldn’t take it. The shock that Gordon’s confession wasn’t for her sent her over the edge She screamed, her features twisted with rage she looked completely unhinged.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” the guy muttered, finally snapping out of his daze.
But Raven didn’t hear a thing. She squeezed the balloon with both hands until it popped with a sharp bang.
A red envelope tumbled out and landed at the guy’s feet.
He bent down to pick it up and read the inscription aloud. “We’re so happy you could witness our joy Here’s a little token may afflovers find their happy ending p>
The girl beside him nudged, “Check if there’s any money inside p>
He began to open it. “Probably just a card. No way there’s real money p>
Who would put cash in a party favor like that—unless they had money to burn?
But the words were barely out of his mouth before he pulled out a crisp hundred- dollar bill, plus a few smaller notes.
A hundred and eighteen dollars in all.
Nobody had expected that-real money!
The girl squealed, “Oh my god,
they’re loaded! There’s a hundred and eighteen bucks in here! Wishing the happy couple and Miss Kensington a lifetime of joy and maybe a baby soon p>
Miss Kensington? Again with the Miss Kensington!
Just a homewrecker-what right did Caitlin have to a happy ending with Gordon?
That last comment was the final straw. Raven glared at the girl, her eyes wild and bloodshot, and exploded, “Shut up! Just shut up, damn it p>