Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82453 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82453 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
That’s enough to lure my sister into the room.
The smile that had been on her face all day was chased away by surprise once she realized she hit me with the bouquet.
I muttered something about being fine as I rushed off after watching Telford jumping up and down with the flowers in his hand.
“I’m sorry,” Abby repeats the words she called after me when I took off. “I’m so sorry, Carrie.”
“No.” I shake her apology away with a wave of my hand. “I’m fine.”
“How can you be fine?” She shrugs. “I hit you with the bouquet.”
I don’t need the reminder, but I fear that at least a few people caught it all on their phones. I’ll likely be a trending topic on social media by morning.
“I’m good,” I tell her. “Years from now, we’ll look back at it and laugh.”
She’ll probably always laugh harder than me, but I refuse to allow my sister’s wedding day to be ruined.
The truth is that I’m not hiding in here because of the bouquet toss debacle. I’ve sequestered myself in this luxurious bathroom because I told Rook Thorsen I’m a virgin.
No one else on the planet knows that secret. Not even my stepsister.
Her arms circle me. “It’s okay to be upset with me, Carrie.”
I hug her briefly before I step back from our embrace. “I’m not upset, Abs. I promise.”
“Are you sure?” Her gaze scans my face.
“I’m sure,” I tell her. “I just need another minute or two to refresh my makeup.”
She smiles. “Telford is leaving. He asked me to tell you when he saw me heading this way. He’s been waiting outside the door since you dashed in here.”
I glance toward the door. “He’s going home?”
“To plan that perfect proposal.” She tilts her chin down. “He’s convinced that catching the bouquet was a sign, so he’s feeling inspired. I think he’s going to pop the question soon. For real this time.”
If it took the bouquet bouncing off my head to finally get Tel to take the proposal plunge, I can’t help but see my sister’s bad aim as a very good thing.
Abby tugs on the skirt of my dress. “You should come say bye to him.”
“I should,” I affirm with a nod, even though the last thing I want to do is leave the safe haven of this washroom.
“Rook just took off, too. It looks like only a few of us will be partying into the night.”
“Rook left?” Surprise laces my tone even though relief is flooding me.
“His brother was arrested,” she follows that with a laugh.
“What?” I ask because I don’t see the humor in handcuffs.
“Something about a fight in a bar. Rook will handle it.” She turns to look at herself in the mirror. “I should have brought my purse in with me. My makeup could use a redo.”
“You’re beautiful,” I reassure her because it’s the truth. “Your makeup is perfect.”
Her gaze catches mine in the mirror. “Can you believe this is my life, Carrie? I had no idea what my future looked like a year ago.”
I push a lock of her hair behind her shoulder. “I believe it. This is the life you deserve, Abs. It’s the life you’re meant to be living.”
“I want you to be as happy as I am,” she whispers, her eyes still locked on mine in the mirror.
“I am happy.” I smile to accentuate the point. “I have a kick-ass career, the best sister in the world, and I’m going to be an aunt…a very cool aunt.”
A light laugh escapes her. “You do have a great life.”
“You know it,” I say with conviction, even though I confessed to being a virgin to an Adonis tonight.
She extends her left hand to me. “Come say goodbye to Tel.”
My gaze drops to it and the engagement and wedding rings circling her finger. Happiness engulfs me, and I can’t hold it in. A tear streams down my cheek, so I swipe it away quickly.
“You’re crying,” she says, taking my hand. “Happy or sad tears?”
“Happy.”
“Me, too.” She sighs. “After we say goodbye to Tel, let’s take another picture. I want one of just the two of us.”
“I’d love that,” I whisper.
“I love you,” she reminds me. “I can’t wait until the day I can be your matron of honor.”
“I love you, too.” I glance at the mirror again. “Don’t hold your breath on the matron of honor thing. I’m not in a rush to get married.”
“That timetable isn’t yours to set.”
“Oh, yes, it is,” I argue.
“Love is going to show up when you least expect it.” She points a finger at me. “Be ready for it.”
The only thing I’m ready for is for this night to be over and for Rook to forget every word I said to him.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Rook
I push open the door of the police precinct in midtown. “How many times do you think I can work my magic?”