Intended Series Collection: Books 1-6 by Abigail Grant (best summer books .txt) 📗

and runs a nervous hand through her light hair. “Uh, don’t be mad okay?” she says suddenly shy. I pull my head back, confused and worried.

Kassy holds up her left hand and sitting on her ring finger is a small, diamond encircled silver engagement ring. My mouth drops open, surprisingly not touching my chest with how wide it falls.

I grab Kassy’s hand in mine and study the beautifully simple ring. “What is this? Are you engaged, Kassy?” I almost yell the question at her.

Kassy grimaces and her whole face scrunches up, showing guilt. “Actually… Liam and I sort of already got married.” She closes her eyes, ready for my freak out to hit her.

I gasp and drop her hand. My hands cover my mouth and I nearly release some very explicit language. As much as I’m sure Kassy thinks I’ll disapprove, I’m completely ecstatic for my two best friends.

“No way!” I yell and Kassy opens her eyes tentatively. “That is so flipping incredible, Kass!” Tears fill my eyes and I feel like a happy momma talking to her baby girl.

Kassy smiles and releases a long-held breath. “You’re not mad at me for eloping without you?”

I shake my head. “Kassy, I’m proud of you for opening your heart up and taking action. Liam is the one for you and I’ve known it for a while now. I’m just so happy for you both.”

I pull her into my arms and the two of us cry together, still in my opened doorway, when a voice interrupts our girl-time. “Can I come out now?”

Liam peeks around the hallway behind Kassy and I can’t help my laugh at his concerned face. I release Kassy and jump into her husband’s arms. “I’m so happy for you guys, Liam! Thank you for taking care of Kassy for me.”

Liam hugs me back and chuckles before leaning back and smiling down at me with his perfectly combed sandy-blonde hair. “Oh, thank the heavens. Kassy has been so stressed about how you’d react. Maybe now, I can actually start showing off my wife to the world.” He turns to her and winks.

I smile at them both. As fast as I thought this bonding was happening for Gavin and I, these two still happened to beat me to the big day. Somehow, it’s comforting that I’m not getting married first. I can feel the heavy pressure leave me slightly as I watch their happy, googly eyes.

Liam takes Kassy’s hand and kisses the back of it before turning back to me. “By the way, we’re both really glad you and Gavin are getting married… or uh, bonded.” He says the word with a questioning eyebrow lift.

I nod to him. “Yes, bonded. It’s surreal to even think about, but today is the day.” Did I really just say it out loud? I’m getting married today!

Kassy shakes her head. “Today is the day, El. And I couldn’t imagine a better pair than the two of you.” She glances up at her husband. “Well, other than us of course.” She giggles.

Liam nudges my arm. “By the way, Neo is out in the living room. He wanted to talk to you, but we called shotgun.”

I shrug, wondering why he would want to talk with me. “Send him in, I guess. I better hurry and start getting ready for my big entrance.” I try to smile but I’m sure it comes out nervous and probably terrified.

Kassy hugs me again and kisses me on the cheek. “I’ll be back to help you get ready after you talk to Neo. Oh, and before I forget, happy birthday.”

“Happy birthday!” Liam shouts as Kassy drags him behind her down the hallway.

I turn back to my mirror and try to fix my bird's nest of hair. I see Neo behind me and turn to him with a smile. We haven’t been alone together since Texas and it’s a good feeling to be able to talk to him again.

“Hey Neo,” I say to him.

His smile isn’t as happy as mine as he gives me a nod and short wave. “Hey. No offense, but you don’t look ready to walk down the aisle,” he teases.

I try to flatten down my hair and glare at him. “I just woke up! Don’t be mean!”

He laughs, but it still lacks the humor I’ve seen from him before.

I sit on the ottoman at the foot of my bed and wave him over to sit beside me. Standing in the empty room so formally just feels off. Neo and I were fated to find one another, and even though we are both intended for other people, we have a connection that will never fade.

“What’s going on, Neo? You don’t seem to be in the party mood.”

He shrugs and twirls his fingers together on his lap. “I feel like leaving. You know, just taking off and not coming back.”

His words shock me. “But, I thought you were having a good time here with Lex. You love her don’t you?” I know what it feels like to have an Intended. There is no way he doesn’t love Alexa.

Neo groans and lays his head in his hands. “Yes, I really, really love her, El.” His golden eyes find mine and there is sadness in them. “That’s the problem. I love her enough to want what’s best for her… but maybe that’s not me.”

My eyebrows scrunch together and I want to punch him for thinking that way. “Neo, you are a great person. You saved my life, and my cousin’s life. You are strong and caring. Even when you thought the thing between us was more than friendship, you never pushed it. I know your heart is good.”

He shrugs and avoids looking at me. “But what if I’m like my dad?”

I’m quiet. The only thing I know about Neo’s family is that his mom passed when he was young and his dad was awful to him. He never gave me details, but I had to imagine it was bad, considering he ran away