Chapter 28

I called Courtney and asked her to meet us here in an hour after Lory enthusiastically nodded. The three of us opted against going shopping again and instead chose to unwind by the pool. While Lory was still experiencing jet lag, I needed a break from all the shopping.

A few hours later, Lory was holding a chilly beverage in her hand and floating around the pool in a tube. "This is the life," she sighed.

Courtney and I were laughing as we dried off in the sun after our swim. Sunscreen, bikinis, girl talk, and sunshine made for the ideal day.

"Willow, you're a lucky girl," Courtney said.

I shook my head and put my sunglasses back on. It was nice to have all of that, but it was hard to believe how much had changed in my life in the past few weeks. But I hadn't sought it out myself. I had never lavished myself with things, only working hard to take care of myself. It wasn't my fault that Nicholas swooped in and handed me everything on a silver platter.

"It was more likely fate than p