Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 78340 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 392(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78340 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 392(@200wpm)___ 313(@250wpm)___ 261(@300wpm)
We ended up kissing for quite a while, before we decided we really should get dressed. Since we were just going to get soaked all over again, we stuck with our wet jeans but paired them with button-down shirts.
Lucky asked, “Does Owen have a raincoat? It’s not that cold out, but he still might catch a chill if he gets all wet.” I thought it was sweet that he seemed so concerned.
“He actually has an entire rain ensemble, thanks to his doting uncles.” I showed Lucky the tiny yellow raincoat and matching hat, which looked like a duck with its orange brim and beady eyes. That went with the cutest pair of baby-sized rain boots I’d ever seen. He agreed that it was all ridiculously adorable.
Kel sent out a group text a few moments later, which said: Early bird guests have started to arrive, including Yolanda’s mom, aunt, and cousins. We’re making everyone comfortable with cocktails in the living room, so you all can take your time.
I opened my bedroom door and looked around. I could hear Lark and Dylan laughing and talking in their bedroom. Then Eliot’s door opened, and when he saw me, he waved me over.
He was in full drag, and I was so proud of him, because he rarely showed anyone that side of himself. I hurried across the landing and gave him a hug as I told him, “You look amazing.”
He was a very different person when he was in drag, as evidenced by his confident smile as he said, “Right? My friend Marjorie loaned me this fabulous raincoat, which was a little boxy until I cinched it to the gods.” The trench coat was bubblegum pink and tightly fitted around his narrow waist with a wide, black patent leather belt. That in turn coordinated with his black patent platform boots. A wide-brimmed black hat completed the look.
I asked, “Has your family ever seen you in drag?” Since he and Yolanda were cousins, the women who’d just arrived were his mom, aunt, and sisters.
“No, and let’s just say they’re not exactly fans of the artform. But I decided to go for it anyway, with Marjorie’s encouragement.” He called a cute young woman over and said, “Marj, meet my housemate Logan and his hot boyfriend Lucky.”
Marjorie reminded me of a cartoon character. She was all of about five-two with short red curls, and she wore a cute raincoat with a ladybug pattern and red rain boots. “Well damn,” she said, as she looked up at Lucky and shook his hand. “You really are hot.” It was an interesting contrast, since he was at least a foot taller than her.
“I agree on the hot part,” I said, “though he’s technically not my boyfriend.” It seemed silly to tack on that last part, but I didn’t want Lucky to feel uncomfortable with a label he hadn’t been expecting and probably didn’t want.
She shook my hand next. I noticed she and Eliot wore the same shade of red lipstick and nail polish. “I’ve heard so much about you, Logan,” she said. “Eliot goes on and on at work about his family here at the pink Victorian, so I feel like I already know you.” It was news to me that he talked about us, but it was also pretty touching.
When we stepped into Eliot’s room, we discovered Yolanda lounging on the chaise by the window, wearing her version of a wedding dress. It was a simple, sleeveless design and came to mid-thigh. But what made it remarkable was that the whole thing was composed of hundreds of flower appliques in varying sizes, styles, and shades of dark red, overlapping to form a dress that was equal parts fantasy and fashion.
She was clearly feeling no pain as she raised a glass of red wine and exclaimed, “Aw, there are some of my boys! Come in and have a drink.”
Eliot breezed across the room and plucked the wineglass from her hand. “You’ve had enough, sis,” he said. “I won’t allow you to be a messy drunk on your wedding day.”
“Yeah, I guess you’re right, and I like it when you call me sis,” she said. “It’s better than ‘cousin.’ Kind of like a family upgrade.”
Eliot sighed and passed the wineglass to Marjorie, who instantly finished it off. Then he told Yolanda, “Focus, Winorella. Have you decided if you’re sold on this hairstyle? We can still go with your idea of wearing it down, but I think this is going to stand up to the rain a lot better.”
Yolanda’s long, dark hair was draped over one shoulder in a thick French braid. She shrugged and said, “Whatever. Like I care what my hair’s doing. When can I see my sweet, beautiful JoJo? I miss her.”
“Not until the ceremony,” Eliot told her. “You know JoJo wants to surprise you with her completed look. Now, let’s talk footwear.”