Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 100476 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 502(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100476 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 502(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
“You just wanted to see up my skirt,” she teases.
“I already know what’s up that skirt.” I give her thigh a squeeze. “And later I’m going to be doing a helluva lot more than look at what’s under it.”
Charlotte
Oh my God.
I can’t do this without crying.
“Don’t start,” Roux pleads. “I’m already a mess today. If you start bawling, I’m going to ruin all this hard work.”
Biting on my bottom lip to keep from crying, I nod quickly. I can’t speak yet, though. I’ll definitely cry.
Roux is the most beautiful bride I have ever seen.
Her simple, white, floor-length dress has a scooped neck that reveals her rose gold Little Hoodlum necklace. The dress cinches beneath her breasts and flares out, showing off her growing stomach. The beads are muted and understated, somehow bringing the focus back to the bride herself. I’ve done up her makeup to be striking for the day, highlighting her brilliant amber eyes since she’s chosen to wear contacts for the wedding, but still soft and natural. Jordy is going to melt when he sees her. Even her hair is perfect, pulled back in a loose bun with dark tendrils falling around her made-up face.
“You’re so beautiful,” I manage to croak out. “Jordy is lucky to have you.”
She grins. “I can’t believe I’m marrying that Hoodlum.”
“Only been secretly waiting for this day since you were like five?” I tease.
“Maybe.”
I pull her to me, hugging her neck. “Thank you for letting me be your maid of honor. Even after…”
“Hush,” she chides. “You were always my best friend, even when you didn’t think you were.”
I pull back and wave at my eyes to keep from crying. “How did your dad take it?”
“Surprisingly well. Supportive. I’d braced myself for him to be upset, but he wasn’t.”
Thank God.
I’ll have to make dinner for Jace one day as a reward. If he’d balked at Roux’s wishes to have Roan walk her down the aisle instead of her father, I’m not sure how she would have handled the guilt of having to tell him no.
“They’re playing creepy violins,” Penny says, popping her head in the bedroom. “Scared all the ducks away.”
“It’s wedding music. Beautiful. Not creepy,” I tell my sister.
“Try telling the ducks that,” she deadpans.
Roux laughs. “The ducks are probably scared of the Hoodlums.”
“Especially the ugly one,” Penny says. “I told him he should go as himself for Halloween for extra treats.”
“You’re such a bitch,” I say, swatting at her. “Also, when the hell did you grow boobs?”
Penny flips me off. “About five seconds before you did.”
“Seriously. Why don’t you show off your assets more? You might actually get a boyfriend,” I tell her. “Right now, I think all the boys are confused into thinking you’re really a guy under all that attitude.”
“Not having this conversation,” Penny gripes, turning on her heel to leave.
I wasn’t lying. Penny cleans up well. She’s wearing a matching dress to mine—pale peach—that hugs all her athletic curves. Who knew she had such a bangin’ ass?
“You ready?” I ask, handing Roux the bouquet Mom and Aunt Karen made for her with fresh flowers.
“So ready.”
I snatch up my bouquet and hook my arm with Roux’s. Together, we make our way through Mike’s house to the back door. As soon as we step onto the porch, Roan is waiting. My brother-in-law is incredibly handsome in his suit, though he looks completely uncomfortable having to wear it. When he sees his sister, he freezes, then he shakes his head, his jaw clenching furiously.
“Ready to pass the torch?” I tease.
He ignores me, stalking right up to his sister. “Dammit, Roux.”
“I’m going to be okay, big bro,” Roux assures him. “You made sure of that.”
Roan rubs at his eyes, his shoulders hunching. “This feels big. Too big. I…”
“Jordy is going to take care of me,” she assures him. “It’s okay.”
He yanks her to him, squeezing her in his arms. His shoulders tremble. Oh no. I could barely take Roux crying. But Roan? My makeup is destined to be ruined today. They whisper back and forth for the longest time, sniffling and laughing. I should leave and allow them their moment, but they’re blocking my escape. Finally, Roan pulls away and kisses his sister on the forehead.
“Tell Jordy I cried and I’ll send Sebban with you on your honeymoon,” Roan threatens.
Roux laughs. “Your secret is safe with me.”
I walk over to her and fix the slight smudge of mascara under her eye. “Get out there and marry that boy who’s crazy about you.”
I give her a kiss and then plant one on Roan’s cheek before walking around the house toward the pond. When Jordy and Roux were looking at places to get married, they decided on the pond at Mike’s house. Since her bedroom overlooked that pond for a few years, she said it felt like home and a place she wanted more good memories of.