30 Days Until He Loses Me by Aaren Collins novel Chapter 3

Chapter 3

It didn’t add up. Felicia was just like always–smilin‘ at him gentle, trustin‘ him, puttin‘ up with his crap.

He hurried over to her. Then, for once, he actually tried to explain. “I saw the bridal shop’s message after my meeting today. Whit knows how swamped you are, so she offered to help out.”

Whitney chipped in, her face lookin‘ a little pale. “Feli, I was just doin‘ Joshua a favor. Please don’t be mad.”

Felicia kept smilin‘. “You said it yourself–it was just a favor. Why would I be mad?”

Whitney’s face stiffened up real obvious.

Joshua’s eyes were glued to Felicia. Seein‘ her smile, he let out a secret sigh of relief. “Now that you’re here, why don’t you try the dress on? Whit, grab it—”

Felicia cut him off, her voice still soft as ever. “No need. This one’s fine.”

She wasn’t gonna be the bride anyway.

After payin‘ for the dress, Joshua drove Felicia home.

In the passenger seat, she stared out the window. The car was dead quiet.

Joshua glanced at her every now and then. They were both always swamped–hardly any time off all year. On the rare occasions they had together, she’d just sit quiet by his side, smilin‘ that gentle smile.

He felt so at ease with her.

But today? Even though she looked the same, somethin‘ in his gut told him she’d changed. He just couldn’t put his finger on what.

Feelin‘ weird, he tried to make small talk once they got home.

He glanced at the countdown planner on the wall–her neat handwriting listed today’s plans: “Wedding dress fitting, book wedding flowers and cars, buy sparklers for the reception, candlelit dinner date with my soon–to–be husband…”

He gave her cheek a light pinch. “Hey, didn’t I tell you? I’m busy. Besides, I don’t want you

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Chapter 3

wearin‘ yourself out. Let’s keep the wedding simple.”

Felicia pulled away from him and crossed out “candlelit dinner date with my soon–to–be husband.”

“You’re always so thoughtful. Whatever you say.

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The next morning, Felicia woke up to find Joshua still home–super rare. He was standin‘ in front of the full–length mirror in the livin‘ room, tryin‘ to match a tie to his suit.

“Mornin‘,” he said. “Don’t bother cookin‘ tonight. I’ll swing by and pick you up–we’re eatin‘ out.”

She was a little shocked.

They’d been together for years, and he’d never once offered to take her out to eat.

Back in the day, she would’ve been over the moon–giddy, not knowin‘ what to do with herself. But things were different now. She just didn’t care anymore.

But his tone made it clear: it wasn’t a question. It was a done deal.

As dusk hit, sure enough, he came to pick her up.

They pulled up to the city’s fanciest rooftop hotel.

The second Felicia saw Whitney make her big entrance, the last little bit of surprise inside her faded away quiet–like.

One of their friends stepped up, whistlin‘ low. “Damn, Joshua. 80 grand for Whitney’s birthday party, and you didn’t even flinch. That’s generous as hell.”

Felicia glanced around. The banquet hall was decked out–even the carpet was fancy flannel.

Yeah, every penny was splashed out good.

But when she was plannin‘ their wedding? Joshua had bitched about 8 grand.

Maybe he thought the same thing. He turned to her, voice low, tryin‘ to explain. “Whit’s in fragile health. It’s her birthday–figured it’d lift her spirits. Plus, all our old friends are here. So I went all out.”

Right. Spare no expense for Whitney’s birthday. But for her wedding? Keep it simple.

It didn’t matter anymore. She didn’t care.

She smiled. “Hey, no need to explain. I know you and Whitney have always been close.”

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Whitney stood in the middle of all the attention, soak’in up the compliments. Felicia sat off to the side, perfectly happy to fade into the background.

When the party got lively, someone suggested a game.

A simple card game. Whoever lost had to take a punishment.

Either chug a strong shot, or do some “fun challenge” the group came up with.

After a few rounds, Joshua lost. The others exchanged looks and giggled–the room was buzzin‘.

“Finally! Now you’re ours. We’ll go easy on you–just a three–minute super romantic confession to the woman you love. Can’t wait to see you drop that reserved act.”

Everyone’s eyes turned to Felicia, like it was a given.

But Joshua grabbed the shot and chugged it down in one go.

Everyone was stunned–except Felicia and Whitney.

Someone laughed awkwardly, tryin‘ to smooth things over. “Joshua, you really live up to the hype -the super reserved professor, even keepin‘ your girl at arm’s length.”

Felicia said nothin‘.

It wasn’t about bein‘ reserved.

It was just that she wasn’t the one he wanted to confess to.

J

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