Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 83368 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 417(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83368 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 417(@200wpm)___ 333(@250wpm)___ 278(@300wpm)
Her mom was looking at her as though she knew full well there was more to her good mood than a house sale. Nothing got past Betsy Davenport, especially when it came to her children. After all, Mila sold houses all the time—phenomenal houses, at that—but rarely did they make her feel effervescent on the inside like she did now. But her mom also knew when to push the matter and when to stand back. As soon as Mila smiled enigmatically and then looked as if she had nothing more to add, Betsy jumped up, smoothed her chic blue shirtdress, and fetched a plate of fruit from the fridge. With that, they had the perfect blend of healthy and decadent breakfast offerings.
While Mila poured herself a mug of fresh coffee, Erin turned to Tessa and tapped the folder. “I love how organized you are. What’s in here?”
Tessa shook her head, and her dark hair fell across her forehead. “I don’t feel organized at all. I don’t know where to start when it comes to a glitzy wedding. Jay says we should announce our engagement publicly soon, so I really want to have the bare bones of my big, fancy, fake wedding already figured out. Arch suggested I read some bridal magazines, and I’ve been tearing pages out of them and jotting down ideas, but none of it really feels like me. I talked to Crystal Lopez, Damien’s friend, and he was right about her. She got Francesca to agree to cater our family wedding even though it’s less than two weeks away. Plus, she’s talking to another planner in Edinburgh who can help us there. She seemed to think there was no wedding problem she couldn’t solve, but she also encouraged me to bring some ideas to the table. So this file is half my real wedding—the family-only one—and half some pretty big ideas for the Scottish wedding. I thought I could start this morning by running some of them by you.”
“Excellent,” Mila said. “I’ve never been to Scotland, and I’m kind of looking forward to the rugged terrain and the men with gorgeous Scottish accents wearing kilts that show off their fine legs.” She paused and happily bit into a blueberry muffin. It was soft and sweet. A little mischievously, she added, “Have you talked Arch into wearing a kilt?”
Tessa laughed, and Mila was glad. She didn’t like seeing her soon-to-be sister-in-law so worried about something she didn’t even want in the first place.
Tessa said, “The first thing he made me promise when we agreed on a wedding in Scotland was that he didn’t have to wear a kilt.”
Betsy made a clucking sound and said, “Howie will be disappointed. He hasn’t been able to find a Davenport tartan, but I’m pretty sure he’s hoping to find he’s part of a clan and wear a kilt. I hope that’s okay, especially if he walks you down the aisle.”
Tessa said simply, “Howie can wear whatever he wants to my wedding. I’m just so happy he’s going to be there.”
Her response was one of the many reasons Mila loved Tessa as much as if they’d spent a lifetime as sisters.
Tessa went on, “I’m so happy all of you have welcomed me into your family the way you have. It means the world to me.” She could hardly finish the words as she choked up with tears. And then, of course, Erin and Betsy started blinking furiously. Mila had never been quick to cry, but she couldn’t help but feel overcome by Tessa’s sincerity. It was so refreshing to meet someone so openhearted.
Naturally, Betsy pulled herself together first and put her hand over Tessa’s. The two women’s diamond rings sparkled in the morning light. “I couldn’t have chosen a better bride for Archer,” she said warmly, releasing her hand after a hearty squeeze to tuck a strand of her honey-colored hair behind her ear. “You make him so happy.”
Mila could take only so much emotion at ten in the morning, so, remembering her promise to her brother, she said, “Before this turns into a full-on sobfest, what are you planning to wear?”
Tessa wiped the corners of her eyes and then sat up straight as though ready to face opposition. She looked almost guilty. “I really want to get my dress at a thrift store. I just can’t bear the thought of spending an awful lot of money on a dress I’ll only wear once.” Before anyone else could speak, she said, “I know Archer has a lot of money. It’s not really about that. It’s about who I am and the values I live by. Of course, I do understand I’m going to be a celebrity’s wife, and I’ll try never to embarrass him, but it’s my wedding too. At least with the family, I want to be myself.”