The Price of Gold | Fortune's Fool #1

33.5 | the big announcement

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♥ louisa ♥

IN MERE SECONDS  both of his blonde eyebrows shot up. "Bloody hell. You weren't joking."

Saying the room was lavishly decorated would have been an understatement. Silver bunting hung from all three walls, complementing the cream table cloth that had been laid out on the round central table. On a side table was a huge tiered cake surrounded by probably 100 cupcakes, macaroons and other sweet treats.

"I didn't expect you to sort stuff out this fast. Congrats, Louisa."

The gleaming foil that dangled down from the Congratulations balloons shimmered under the light that crept in through the back door; the fourth wall was replaced by a sliding frame that led to a pretty garden.

Lexi exclaimed in astonishment at the big announcement. "Oh my god, this is incredible."

"What the hell, bitch! Why didn't you tell me? Congrats!" I heard Talisa shout as she walked towards me after picking up two flutes of champagne that had been laid out on a side table. She downed one before elegantly holding the other. "And to you Mr Logan Thornton."

Logan shot her a grin as Prince thumped him on the back, clearly forgetting about their earlier disagreements. "Surprise," I said in the most excited tone I could muster as Logan wrapped his hand in mine, giving it a squeeze as I did the same.

It felt limp, empty and forced. Nothing more than a display of the faux warmth that covered the broken debris of our relationship. 

His hands drifted to my hips as I looked up at him. His brown eyes flashed against his angelic looking face as his lips hovered quietly at my ear. "Hats off to you Louisa. This is pretty amazing."

My eyes flickered up to the elaborate banner that had been hung from the back wall. Printed in silver cursive against the white material was We're Engaged! Louisa Darling and Logan Thornton. Our names were entrapped inside a large heart like us.

"Ah shit, I probably should have given you guys one first. Etiquette and all." I laughed as Talisa finally remembered to give Logan and I a glass of Prosecco each.

"Thanks Tal."

She raised an eyebrow, a smile playing at her lips. "Go on then. I know you're dying to that cute couple thing where they link arms and drink champagne. It's fine. I'll look away for a couple minutes before I die of too much nostalgia."

I snorted thinking about how I'd never do that and snatched the other glass of alcohol that she had picked up. Eyebrows furrowed, I quietly spoke to her so nobody else could hear. "Slow down, honey. You haven't even eaten yet. Don't drink too much on an empty stomach, okay?"

She pretended she hadn't heard me.

Lexi congratulated me too, her wandering eye on the red haired waiter as I noticed Ashlei hadn't spoken a word since she'd entered the room. Strands of her wispy blonde hair framed her small face as she stared harshly at the 'L&L' keepsakes that were arranged on the table.

Seeming to sense me, her head darted upwards as she smiled widely. "Oh my God! Congratulations to the both of you! This is so cute. Especially the balloons and the whole reveal. Great idea! I'm genuinely so happy for you right now! Awh!"

I reciprocated the too hard hug she gave me, well aware of just how 'genuine' she was being. The ditzy blonde had just supposedly been stripped of her friends-with-benefits of three years, presumably without a word of warning.