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)
He frowned. “No one said you were.”
“You didn’t even ask what I wanted.”
“You didn’t give me a chance.”
I glared at him as the flambé flames shot into the air. Seraphina’s attention was on the server. “It’s bad enough I have to spend weeks apart from you because of business. I’m not leaving Elara for that long.”
He studied me and a small grin curved the corner of his mouth. “Enough said.” He sat back and watched as the waiter plated the Banana’s Foster.
By the time we left the fancy art deco restaurant, I decided I didn’t care for New York and I wanted to go home—my home that I would only be permitted to stay in until I was neatly moved by my many handlers to my new residence in the Big Apple.
On the flight back to Florida, Hale did that thing where he rested with his eyes closed and his hands folded tightly across his chest. I scowled at him, fully aware he wasn’t sleeping and probably just sitting that way to avoid a confrontation.
Once the private jet was cruising at an altitude of around thirty thousand feet, I kicked his shoe.
“Really?” He opened his eyes and scowled at me. “What was that for?”
“When were you going to tell me about New York?”
“I planned to discuss it with you sometime this week.”
“You’re shipping me off like an unruly child.”
“I’ve already explained that’s not the case. No one is shipping you off.”
“Sure feels that way.”
He cocked his head as if I were totally making this up. “Rayne—”
“Don’t Rayne me. Engagements include two people, Hale. A bride and a groom. Getting married in New York was your idea. If anyone should have to live there it should be you.”
He sat up and flicked on an overhead light, which immediately signaled one of the staff to check on him.
He held up a hand to the attendant. “Not now.” Turning back to me, he said, “Do you not want to get married there?”
My words jumbled in my throat in an impassible traffic jam. I just wanted to marry Hale. I didn’t want to parade our life in front of a million strangers and have our relationship on display like some sort of exposé. This whole thing was turning into a circus. “What’s wrong with a church?”
Deep grooves formed between his brows. “Is that what you want? When I asked you about your faith you told me Santa was cool and you loved Jewish delicatessens.”
“I just don’t see why everything has to be so grandiose. And I’m tired of decisions being made behind my back.”
“Every single decision has been yours, Rayne. We’re all waiting to hear what you want. When I suggested New York, you said you loved the idea. I hired Quinn to help bring your visions to life. This whole thing has been about creating your perfect day. How am I suddenly the bad guy being accused of secretly conspiring behind your back?”
When he originally suggested New York I loved the idea, mostly because of the way his eyes twinkled and how his smile lit up when he described his vision. I didn’t have a vision, but I could share Hale’s. I could picture him waiting for me at the altar, and that was the light at the end of the tunnel, the beacon I assumed would guide me down the aisle. I just never assumed I’d be traveling solo.
He pitched the idea and I agreed. Hale took my word at face value because that’s how he typically negotiated big decisions.
My sudden objections probably sounded manic and out of the blue. They were valid and had been festering for some time, but he wouldn’t know that since I actively tried to hide any irrational fears from him. I didn’t want to shit on his parade and talk him out of his big New York dream, especially after Quinn had worked so hard to find the perfect place and I already agreed to move the wedding up.
“You’re right,” I said, lowering my stare. “I don’t know why I’m acting this way.”
“No one is keeping secrets from you, Rayne.”
That wasn’t true. He had a secret. A very thick, heavy skeleton in his closet, currently stuffed in a manilla envelope at the bottom of his sock drawer. He probably had that stupid contract drawn up specifically for reasons like this. Hale knew how crazy I could get. It was good sense to have an escape plan.
“If you don’t want to stay in New York before the wedding, then don’t.” Irritation showed on his face as he dragged his fingers through his hair. “I just thought it would be fun for you to have a chance to fully experience the city since you’ve never been there before.”
I hated arguing with him. Mainly because I always felt outmatched. Here I was, pissed and feeling discarded when he was only trying to treat me to a fun experience. He didn’t understand that he was the secret ingredient to my happiness.