Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 61199 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 306(@200wpm)___ 245(@250wpm)___ 204(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61199 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 306(@200wpm)___ 245(@250wpm)___ 204(@300wpm)
Lucy was right, the chef had no problem packing up a few items for me once she realized I was the “regular woman” who got to marry Alex Witter. “I’ll bring it to your table.”
“Okay, thank you.” That was easy enough and I was grateful that Lucy was available today or we might have ended up with hoagie sandwiches for our wedding meal. “She’s going to bring out the to-go containers but we’re done so you can get back to your day. I appreciate you making time in your day for me, though.”
“Are you kidding? We’re practically going to be sisters. Dante is a bit of a grump and Alex is his best friend so we’ll be seeing a lot of each other over the years.”
I looked away because I didn’t like to lie but the truth was we would only see each other for the next couple of years and then I would just be the girl that was Alex’s first wife.
“Is something wrong?”
“No,” I said too quickly. “Nothing at all. Why?”
“No reason,” Lucy said just as quickly. “Let’s get out of here.”
I frowned. “Where are we going?”
Lucy sent me a coy smile. “You’ll see.”
A thread of worry tightened inside of me but I didn’t think she had any nefarious plans so I strapped Dixie in and followed Lucy in her navy blue Mercedes. We stopped at a gargantuan light brick building without a sign, at least anywhere that I could see. “What is this place,” I asked as she and Lena stopped beside the car.
Lucy bounced on her toes. “We’re going wedding dress shopping!” She jumped up and down as much as her pregnant body would allow, and then she stopped. “I mean, I assumed you didn’t have one yet since you didn’t say anything, or show me any photos.”
Shit. “I totally forgot.” How on earth was I going to sell this story about my relationship with Alex when I totally spaced on what most women consider the centerpiece of their wedding day? The gown. “How could I have forgotten?”
“Pregnancy brain?” Lucy offered with a teasing grin.
“Definitely not.”
She frowned.
“I mean, we’re careful. Now isn’t the right time, with Dixie’s arrival and the season starting and all that.” Dammit, I was blowing this. “I’m not pregnant. Just forgetful, apparently.”
“No worries. We’re here and we’ll find you something that’ll make Alex swallow his tongue.”
The thought of Alex seeing me as a woman suitable for him in every way, of him gasping in shock when he caught sight of me in my wedding dress was appealing. But it couldn’t happen.
Could it?
“Sasha?” Lucy’s concerned expression made me realize I’d spaced out, lost in my own thoughts.
“Oh, sorry. I guess I was just imagining his face when he sees me,” I lied. He did say I was perfect and beautiful, though it was in the heat of passion so did that really count? I didn’t know but staring at Lucy’s hopeful expression made me want to find out.
Chapter 25
Alex
“What do you think?” I stood on the elevated platform in a black tuxedo, arms spread wide and a smile on my face as I looked at Dante through the half-circle of mirrors that surrounded us.
Dante looked me up and down, his gaze assessing like the fashion mogul he was. “Looks good. But are you sure black on black is appropriate for a wedding?”
I frowned. “Why not?”
“You look like a spy or a gangster, especially with your light coloring.”
My shoulders slumped. “So I have to go with a basic black and white tux?”
Dante’s lips curled into an amused grin. “No. There’s a world between a basic tux and this,” he waved his hand at the tux. “What does Sasha say?”
His question hit harder than it should. “Nothing. She hasn’t said much about the wedding. Isn’t that odd?” The wedding planning was complete except for wedding attire which was why I was putting myself through the hassle of shopping.
Dante shrugged. “Why? The wedding is real but this isn’t a love match. Is it?”
It didn’t start out that way but I couldn’t deny that I felt something for the curvy nanny. “It wasn’t supposed to be.”
Dante arched a brow. “But it is now?”
I nodded and told him about the news I received about Dixie’s mother. “Sasha and I were together when I got the news and you know what she did? Slid closer and soothed me, tried to make me feel better that I didn’t remember anything about the woman who had my daughter.” I still couldn’t believe how kind and caring she’d been at the moment I was sure I deserved it least. “What am I supposed to do about that?”
Dante’s lips tugged up into a smile. “Keep her?”
I nodded because that was exactly what I wanted. I could picture it as clear as day since it was the life I lived now, except we snuck around to be together as though we shouldn’t be, despite the fact that soon we would be married. “I think I’m falling for her, Dante.”