Total pages in book: 156
Estimated words: 151044 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 755(@200wpm)___ 604(@250wpm)___ 503(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 151044 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 755(@200wpm)___ 604(@250wpm)___ 503(@300wpm)
The crystal chimed as he stood. “I just want to say it’s good to see my son so happy. Hale, I’d say you picked a good one, but I picked her first. You’re welcome.”
“Remington,” I warned and laughed.
My boss and future father-in-law chuckled. “Meyers, it’s good to see you dolled up for a change.” He held my stare for a moment, his weathered eyes creasing affectionately at the corners. “Who knows what twist of fate blew you into harbor that day you first set foot on my yacht? Under-qualified, underdressed, and shockingly underprepared. I thought, there had to be a reason you, of all people, were sitting at my table. And so there was. Here you are. Exactly where you belong.” He lifted his glass. “To fate. Cheers.”
“Cheers!” the guests echoed back in chorus.
As everyone returned to their conversations, Remington walked to my side of the table, bending to my cheek. “Kill anyone today?” he whispered.
I smiled up at him as if he told me I looked beautiful. “Not yet.”
He chuckled, squeezing my shoulder affectionately. “Then I’d say things are going well.” His nearness put me instantly at ease.
“It would seem.”
He glanced down at me in question, always a little more perceptive than most.
Before he could dig any deeper I said, “That was a nice toast.”
He smiled, his assessing eyes accepting that I didn’t want to delve below the surface while so many other people were nearby. He patted my shoulder. “It’s going to be a good week, Meyers. You tell me if there’s anything I can do.”
“I will. Thanks, Remington.”
The waiter returned to review the chef’s intentions for the night. Hale had arranged to have a private menu prepared for the occasion and this was the big reveal.
Tyler, seated on the other side of Avery, leaned closer and whispered, “Where’s Elle?”
I couldn’t do Elle math right now so I shrugged. “I guess she’s late.”
We delayed as long as we could, but by the time Elle and Paul arrived, the first course had been served and cleared. They took their seats without even a sorry we’re late.
“Maybe I should switch seats,” Phina said. “As your maid of honor, Elle should be closer to you.”
Should be, but she wasn’t. I placed a stilling hand on Phina’s arm before she could rise. “Everyone’s exactly where they should be. Please stay.” Lifting an untouched champagne flute, I placed it in front of her. “Let’s drink to sisterhood and stop worrying about etiquette.”
“I always worry about etiquette.”
“I know.” I tapped my glass to hers. “Drink.”
Phina grinned but did as she was told.
Noah owned a company that did something with extreme sports which lead to several threats to take Hale and I skydiving. I would literally shit myself if I had to jump out of a plane, so there was no way that was happening. And I was not letting Hale try it either. People didn’t spend their lives searching for a husband only to chuck him out of a plane at ten thousand feet.
At least not the good ones.
Dinner was wonderful. The chef did an outstanding job, and I had the added delight of taking home the leftovers.
By the time we got back to the hotel, I was exhausted. Being around so many people massively tired me out. Barrett, Noah, and Hale stayed downstairs to have a drink at the bar, while I took Elara upstairs for some cuddles before bed. By the time Hale got in, I was sound asleep.
I awoke to a clatter of coins and keys as he emptied his pockets on the dresser. Peeking through my lashes, I acknowledged that I’d successfully avoided him all day—just like I’d wanted to do. So why did I feel like an utter failure?
He climbed into bed, pressing a bourbon-scented kiss on my lips. “Goodnight, baby.” He settled onto his side of the bed and was asleep within minutes.
I knew then I needed to find the courage to tell him. While I didn’t want to taint the perfection of our wedding week, I also didn’t want this distance between us to fester into something more.
I missed our closeness. Lying next to him wasn’t enough. There was intimacy in truth and I wanted that more than anything with Hale. I just didn’t know how to explain everything to him without ripping myself to shreds in the process.
Hopefully, a solution would come to me soon.
Come Rayne or Come Hale
“April showers are here in the Northeast,” the cheery meteorologist declared, as torrential downpours pummeled the windows of The Plaza.
New York was a disaster when it stormed, and this was apparently the storm of the century. Our beautiful view had been obliterated by an ominous, grey sheet of rain and everything in the tri-state area was a soggy mess.
“Hale?” I called, as I stared at the television in horror while blowing my nose. “Hale, this is bad.”