Read Bride by Design 3: Manchala Nights for Free Online Page A

attention, but she claimed she loved her childhood - "I could do anything I wanted and buy anything I liked , that's all that matters."
     
    I wasn't sure she was right, but I didn't contradict her and merely nodded.
     
    I tried to call Katie once a day, and though she was sad, she seemed to be doing well. Her mother had come down from New Jersey to spend a few days with her, and on Thursday and Friday night she went out clubbing with some single friends from work. She seemed to be having fun with her work friends, and I felt a twinge of jealousy that it wasn't me she was having drinks with. But I was happy she was doing well.
     
    I called my brother Alex every other day, and he was making good progress at rehab. He seemed stunned and grateful that I'd paid off his debts so soon , and promised to be clean once he got out. I hoped he'd stick to his word, and I made a mental note to keep an eye out for any signs of a relapse .
     
    On Saturday, I told Colin that I'd be accepting the job with Brian Brito Designs.
     
    "I thought as much," he said. His voice was deep and calm, and he didn't seem surprised at all.
     
    "It's not like you're about to g et this Manchala project either, " I said snidely. His calmness irked me, and I couldn't help being a bit mean.
     
    But Colin didn't seem to care and just shrugged. "You never know how things turn out."
     
    We eyed each other warily. He hadn't tried to kiss me o r touch me since the night Katie called, and a part of me felt hurt by that. Did he no longer find me attractive? Or was one night enough to satisfy his curiosity and mark me as "done"?
     
    But it's not like I would've responded to his caresses anyway, I told myself. Of course, that was a lie - I had learned not to trust my body. But having a physical relationship with a guy I hated wasn't a good idea, so part of me was thankful that he didn't seem to care about being with me.
     
    On Sunday morning we said goodbye to Don and Diane. The jeeps drove the six of us down to a bay and I could see a large boat in the distance.
     
    "Surprise," said Colin drily, "I arranged a boat for us instead of the plane."
     
    I was surprised and touched. He must've done this soon after we landed and I was so relieved I wouldn't have to get on that kite-plane again. I hugged him gratefully, since I knew that's what everyone expected me to do. His muscles were hard and lean and I pressed myself against him, but I let go soon - it was all just a charade.
     
    I wanted to kiss him and tell him how sorry I was that things hadn't gone as we'd hoped for in Manchala, and how thankful I was that he'd arranged for the boat. But Colin seemed detached and aloof, and everyone was watching, so I didn't say anything.
     
    Instead, we piled into small speedboats which took us out to the larger boat and we climbed up onto it . The boat took us a bit longer to get to St Bart's, but it was much more pleasant. I loved the feeling of the waves rolling us gently, the blue ocean surrounding us on all sides.
     
    Of course, Celine immediately went to the top deck and stripped down to her tiny bikini to sunbathe, and I sat down beside her.
     
    When we arrived in St Bart's, we said goodbye to Keith and John, who had their own plane to take them back to London .
     
    Celine and Roger would stay on in St Bart's for a few days. Celine hugged me and said, "Keep in touch, bitch."
     
    I smiled wryly. "I'll try."
     
    I realized I'd actually miss Celine, and was sorry to have to say goodbye . I wondered if I'd see her again, and whether she'd still want to be friends with me when I was no longer with Colin and no longer a part of her society.
     
    Colin and I boarded his plane again, and we began our flight back to New York . Once we were in the air, I thought it would be courteous to thank Colin for arranging the boat.
     
    I tried to stutter my thanks, but he just shrugged and said coldly, "Don't mention it."
     
    His disinterest was hurtful and I hated to end things