Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 104037 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 520(@200wpm)___ 416(@250wpm)___ 347(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104037 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 520(@200wpm)___ 416(@250wpm)___ 347(@300wpm)
Before the door closes, she says, “Make sure you’re invisible tonight. I don’t want to upset Trevor.”
I close the door, wishing I had before she had a chance to speak. When I round the corner, I run into exactly who I don’t want to see. “Congratulations on your nuptials,” I say, able to keep the peace for a few hours. After that, there are no guarantees.
“Poppy.” Trevor looks me up and down and then says, “I’m sure this outfit went over well with your mother. I know she was counting on your support.” I can smell notes of scotch wafting off his breath. Honestly, I don’t blame him.
“That’s why I’m here. I’m here supporting her.” I lower my head and add, “If you’ll excuse me.”
His arm blocks me from leaving. “You and I . . . we have unfinished business.”
“And what’s that?” He’s damn lucky Laird can’t step into the city limits of Nashville. There’s no way he’d give the grace I’m giving this asshole.
“I can’t have you fucking up the gift again.”
“What gift?”
“The wedding gift. After you blew the bridal shower, I hope you didn’t fuck this up. What did you get your mom?”
Is he serious right now? I burst out laughing. “The catering. I paid for all the food, and I’m catering it. My time is money, and you’ll never be able to afford me again.” I poke him in the chest, forcing him to step back a foot or two to give me room. “So enjoy your beef Wellington because it will be the best you ever had and the last time either of you will eat my food.”
I exhale, shaking my head as I return to the kitchen. “Are they out of their fucking minds?” Laird is rubbing off on me. I wish he were here.
The cake cutting is being organized as the guests are shuffled over toward that end of the ballroom. I already told them I’m not touching the cake, and neither is my crew.
I’m not sure why one of the bartenders took the job, but for his sake, I hope it pays well.
It’s the sirens I hear first. They’re not befitting the elegant reception.
Then the double doors hit the jamb when a lady rushes through. “Poppy? Is there a Poppy?”
So much for being invisible.
I slink out of the shadows in the back corner near a charcuterie display of snacks. “I’m Poppy. What’s wrong?”
Sweat beads at her hairline, and her cheeks are a deep rosy color. “There are at least ten, maybe more police cars out front.”
“Okay,” I say, hoping to eventually connect the dots I’m missing. “What does that have to do with me?”
Grabbing hold of my arms, she smiles so big that I’m now genuinely lost. “You need to go out there.” She starts pushing me by the arm and then fast claps behind me while nipping at my heels. “Right away. Hustle. Hustle.”
“Okay. Okay. Geez. I’m going.”
I go the way she came despite not being allowed to as “event staff.” When I push through the door to the outside, alarm bells ring in my head. I can see a couple of police cars with their lights flashing. What am I walking into?
The hustle lady tells me to go on once more. I keep walking down the sidewalk until I reach the corner. Holy . . . there are way more than ten police cars out front, but who are they here for? I hate that Laird comes to mind, but is it so wrong to want a grand gesture?
“Put your hands up, Poppy Stanfield,” someone says over a speaker, but I have no idea where it came from—a car or a person?
I raise my hands, but then I hear someone say, “Don’t scare her.”
Laird.
I’m going to kill him right after I smother him to death with kisses and my love.
He comes running from the center of the lineup, looking every bit the sexy musician. Wild hair, worn T-shirt, faded jeans, and sneakers. He runs to me just as I head toward him.
Catching me in his arms, he swings me around while covering my temple in kisses. “I missed you so fucking much, baby.”
A round of applause breaks out, bringing us back to the here and now. When my feet land on the ground again, I lift to kiss him. When our lips part, I look into those eyes that hold the sun instead and say, “I love you.”
“I love you, too.” He wraps himself around me once more as I embrace him fully.
I pull him to me, and with his head tucked into the crook of my neck, I whisper, “Tell me they didn’t chase you here? You’re not about to be arrested, are you?”
He chuckles as he rises to his full height in front of me. “No. They’re on my side.”