Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 62362 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 312(@200wpm)___ 249(@250wpm)___ 208(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62362 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 312(@200wpm)___ 249(@250wpm)___ 208(@300wpm)
“Speaking of men…” Lauren’s voice broke into the morose thoughts Jade tried hard not to dwell on.
“We weren’t.” She narrowed her eyes at Lauren. “We were discussing my sister and, before that, Bridezilla.”
Lauren opened a water bottle and took a sip. “Okay then. Just pretend we were discussing men. Are you still on a man fast? Because it’s been a year and a half since you broke up with Dickhead, and I think it’s time for you to get out there again.” She twirled around and her long bob swung with her. “Mix and mingle. My neighbor invited me to go to a bar with some friends tonight. You should come with me.” She turned pleading eyes on Jade.
Jade knew when she was being manipulated. Lauren had done it often enough during their college days at NYU, when she would try and get Jade to go somewhere she didn’t want to go. Jade suffered from migraines and anxiety, and she was lucky that Lauren had stuck around, back in the days when partying was everything. A lot of Jade’s high school friends had become bored with her issues.
“Thanks for the invite. I’ll think about it.”
Lauren raised an eyebrow. “You’re lying.”
Unable to hold it in, Jade burst out laughing. “You know me too well.”
“Is it because of the man fast?” Lauren asked, her tone serious.
Jade took a quick glance at the rear of the exhibit, making sure Layla had gone back to her reading and wouldn’t overhear their conversation. A man fast was what Jade was calling the time she was taking to fully get past what that lying, cheating SOB Theo Matthews, her former fiancé, had done to her. She considered it a necessity, something she had to do for herself before she moved on. After all, she’d jumped into a relationship too soon with Theo, after ending things with Douglas Webster, a creep who’d only wanted her for her family money.
If Mr. Right ever came her way, she wanted to be in the right frame of mind to recognize it. And so, taking the time to know herself first was imperative.
“I’d say I have good reason for steering clear of men,” Jade muttered. “And would you stop saying those words? We’re here to sell happily-ever-afters, not run people off,” she said, tipping her head at the visitors looking at their brochures and photos.
Lauren sighed. “One of these days, you’re going to give in and go out again. I just know it.”
“Hi!” A perky redhead walked up to Jade and Lauren, ending their conversation, for which Jade was grateful.
“Hello,” Jade said, smiling. “How can we help… Oh! Natalie! It’s good to see you. I’ve talked to so many people today, I just dove in without realizing I already knew you.”
The attractive woman laughed. “Six months and counting!” she said, her smile as big as her obvious excitement.
She was one of the brides Jade enjoyed talking to. “I know. You remember Lauren, right?”
“Of course!” Both women spoke at the same time and laughed.
“What are you doing here today?” They’d booked all her vendors already.
“John is having a guys-only day, so I figured I’d come sign up for some of the giveaways. I’m feeling lucky!” Natalie said.
“Well then, why don’t you enter ours? We’re offering a night in the bridal suite at the Meridian. You never know. You might end up staying there for free.” Lauren winked at Jade and led Natalie toward the giveaway table, giving Jade a few minutes of blessed peace.
She picked up a bottle of water from a table, opened the cap, and took a long sip. As she replaced the top, a female voice called her name.
She put the bottle down and turned.
“Jade, hi!” Holly Matthews, her most recent ex’s sister, rushed over and engulfed her in a hug. “I’m so happy to see you!” Holly exclaimed loudly in Jade’s ear.
“Let her go, Holl,” a deep, masculine voice said. “You’re squeezing the life out of her.” A rumbling sexy chuckle followed and she shivered at the sound.
Holly laughed and released her. “Sorry. It’s just been way too long. I’ve missed you,” she said, keeping Jade’s focus on her.
Jade smiled. “I’ve missed you, too.” She should have kept in touch with Theo’s little sister. They weren’t all that far apart in age and she’d always liked her. “What are you doing at the Bridal and Wedding Expo?”
“She’s getting married,” the same masculine voice said, drawing her attention and she glanced up, meeting Knox Sinclair’s amused gaze.
He was Holly’s brother, Theo’s stepbrother, and the man whose wife Theo had slept with when he’d cheated on Jade. It wasn’t a great connection to have, and they hadn’t commiserated about it afterward. He was also the hottest man she’d ever seen, then and now. His appearance here was a surprise and butterflies immediately took up residence inside her. He was just that handsome.