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)
“Outside,” Betsy commanded. “And not until after breakfast.”
Mila rolled her eyes. Her brothers were extremely successful in their own right, but when they got together, they behaved like they were still teenagers.
“Thank you, Damien,” Tessa said quickly, clearly seeing her moment. “I’d be honored to have you play, and this way, we’ll keep it in the family.”
“Okay, so best man is between me and Nick,” Finn said, putting on a which-way-to-the-beach show of manliness by flexing his biceps and showing his gorgeous profile.
Arch chuckled. “I would never choose between you guys,” he said, looking first at one brother, then the other. “Smith Sullivan is going to be my best man. But I’d like you both to be my groomsmen.”
Mila watched across the table as her brothers digested the news. “I guess that means I won’t have to make a speech,” Nick said, shrugging. “Or listen to you make one,” he added, pointing to Finn.
“It’s a good solution,” Betsy agreed. “All my handsome boys, and Smith, who’s like another son to me. It’s just perfect.” Nothing was more important to her mom than family. Betsy was a respected teacher and an incredible mom. Mila had nothing but admiration for her.
Mila wondered about Tessa’s family. Her parents had passed away, and none of the Davenports had met Tessa’s sister and brother-in-law or their daughter, though Tessa had said quietly that she was inviting her sister to the wedding, and she would be part of the wedding party. Mila couldn’t imagine going more than a few days without seeing her sister, but knew Tessa didn’t have that closeness with her own.
“Who is going to walk you down the aisle?” As soon as the words flew out of her mouth, Mila realized her mistake.
Tessa cast her eyes down and said she might ask her brother-in-law.
Mila knew she was too forthright, but she couldn’t contain herself. “Wait, aren’t these the people who, after your husband died and you had no money, supported you only by sending you hand-me-down clothes?”
Tessa nodded. “They were designer clothes. I’m sure my sister meant well.”
Mila glanced at Erin. “If you ever lose a husband, I promise right now to be there for you. We all will. That’s what family does.” She felt annoyed that a wonderful woman like Tessa would be treated so poorly by her closest family. Mila had once been famous, and she had a feeling she’d come across people like Tessa’s sister and her husband. “I’m not trying to be rude, but are your sister and brother-in-law suddenly available for you now that you’re marrying a movie star?”
“Mila,” Betsy said, shocked, “you are being rude. I’m sure Tessa loves her family.”
Before Mila could apologize for hurting Tessa’s feelings, Tessa said, “No, Mila’s right. I went from embarrassing charity case to someone important when I got together with Arch.” Mila could see how much it hurt Tessa to admit that. “I barely know my brother-in-law, but I’m sure they love the idea of being in wedding photos with Archer.” Then she bit her bottom lip. “I haven’t even given them a date because I know they’ll tell everyone they know. They won’t be able to resist.”
“And then our intimate wedding will become a media circus,” Arch said, looking grim.
Erin, whose sensitive journalist’s eyes never missed a thing, said, “I bet Dad would love to walk you down the aisle.”
Howie immediately got to his feet and said it would be his honor, if it would please Tessa. “You’re already like another daughter to me.” His warm eyes sparkled.
“I would love that,” Tessa said, a pretty flush spreading across her cheeks. “But may I think about it?”
Howie said, “Of course, but I’ll be happy to step in if needed.”
“I still don’t get how you’re really going to keep this wedding small and paparazzi-free,” Erin said. “People here in Carmel are relaxed about Hollywood stars, but the minute someone spots that ring on your finger and alerts the media, it will take on a life of its own. I know firsthand how hungry photographers are for celebrity wedding snaps.”
Tessa looked horrified. Mila knew her soon-to-be sister-in-law’s worst nightmare was to have a flashy wedding splashed across the tabloids. Maybe she’d yet to admit it to herself, but Tessa was marrying one of the biggest movie stars in the world. They’d been together for months now, and she still wasn’t used to seeing her picture in the press. But for Arch, she would withstand anything. That was the nature of true love.
“I have an idea,” Betsy said, reaching across the table for a plate of fresh sliced melon. “Do you remember the time Damien hired a lookalike actor as a decoy to divert attention while he enjoyed a quiet holiday before a big concert tour?”
“That guy was so much better looking than you,” Mila said with a laugh. “I can’t believe it worked so well.”