Total pages in book: 221
Estimated words: 213317 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1067(@200wpm)___ 853(@250wpm)___ 711(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 213317 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1067(@200wpm)___ 853(@250wpm)___ 711(@300wpm)
“I’m so honoured,” he whispers, and he looks it.
“Me too,” I reply. “Thank you.”
“No,” he says. “Thank you, princess.”
“Oh my God. We can’t wait to see you!” Mum says, with tears in her eyes. And then she asks a question. One that gives my stomach a horrible lurch.
“And did you do it? Ant says you’ve been talking about the future, and you’re going to hand in your resignation.”
Fucking hell.
It seems they know everything ahead of me.
All of them are staring at me expectantly, and I feel like even more of an ungrateful bitch than ever as they wait on the news like it’s a good thing.
“Yes,” I tell them. “I did.”
They let out another cheer, and Ant claps along with them, and God knows what he’s told them, since they’re acting like I’ve won the lottery.
Although, I guess I have. Most women would be beyond excited to quit their job and prepare for the married family life they’ve been dreaming of for ever with a guy as incredible as my fiancé.
“I’m the happiest I’ve ever been in my life,” he exclaims, and picks me up to spin me in his arms. “Cassandra, you’re going to be my wife!”
The world spins and the tears in my eyes are from so much love that I can’t keep it inside, grateful for the people I have in my life.
“I can’t believe it,” I tell Ant. “I can’t believe we’re engaged.”
“You’d better start believing it, sweetheart,” he laughs. “Since I’m not planning we’ll be engaged all that long before our big day. Good job you’re done with Wedding Bliss, since you’ve got our own dream day to give your full attention.”
I nod. Smiling like a fool.
He leans in close so he can whisper.
“You see now why I was putting so much pressure on you to hand in that resignation letter? I know you will want to give your everything to making our day the very best it can be. You’ll be the princess walking down the aisle you’ve always dreamt of, and I’ll be the happiest man in the world to hear you say I do.”
Yeah, I was a bitch. A stupid bitch for doubting him, when I should have known better.
“We’ll see you tomorrow, love,” Dad says, and the family waves me goodbye with another cheer as Ant prepares to end the call.
I wave them goodbye, giving them one final flash of my ring before they get to see it up close, and my heart is jumping alive.
I’m engaged now. I’m engaged to the man I love. The beautiful hero I met on a barstool.
As always, Anthony Bradstone seems to read my mind. He gestures upstairs, and smirks at me.
“Time to put that beautiful red dress on, baby. We’re going out to dinner at Hanley Hall.”
Gerwyn
I brace myself as the message comes through. The team is waiting, all of us around the bar table, ready for the incoming news. Victoria and Georgina are holding up crossed fingers with smiles on their faces.
I open the message, and a picture of Cass and Ant greets me. Cass holds up her hand for the camera. There it is, the ring on her finger.
“She said yes!” I announce.
The whole team lets out a cheer and the champagne glasses are raised, and I’m there along with them here’s to Ant and Cass!
My smile is genuine as my phone gets passed from person to person. The girls jump up and down, and the guys throw their arms in the air, everyone caught up in the celebrations.
“You’re gonna be best man?” Stu asks me.
“Yeah. I’ll be best man.”
He slaps my shoulder. “That’s fucking brilliant.”
Yes, it is. It’ll be an honour to stand at Ant’s side as he declares his love for the woman he adores. I can only imagine the way she’ll be looking at him as they say their vows.
Ant’s already told me how he’s planning the wedding will be in two months’ time. That’s how desperate he is for his life with Cass to move forward, and I’m not surprised.
As much as people are shocked that Ant has found a woman he wants to commit to, it doesn’t shock me in the slightest. Cass is such an amazing woman that he’d be a fool if he didn’t.
Georgina rushes up to me, leaping up and wrapping her arms around my shoulders.
“You must be over the moon!”
“I am. I’m so happy for both of them.”
If only I was so happy for me.
I’ve been fighting the lurch in my stomach I feel for Cass, because it’s ridiculous. I’d turned away from dating sites and friends of friends a long time ago, but I’ve been trying to resurrect my efforts, craving the distraction. I’ve scrolled through profiles of incredible women with great interests that could be a match for mine, but I’ve felt nothing. Not one single thing.