Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 33691 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 168(@200wpm)___ 135(@250wpm)___ 112(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33691 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 168(@200wpm)___ 135(@250wpm)___ 112(@300wpm)
“Okay, okay.” She holds her hands out. “I don’t need to know more but wow.”
“Why is this so shocking? I mean maybe on my end, but is it really on your brother’s? He’s a man.”
“I think the men around here are really discreet or something because people love gossip, and I haven’t heard about my brother kissing anyone ever. Unless you count Courtney.” A flare of jealousy rocks me at the mention of another woman’s name. I know I’m being ridiculous, but I can’t help it.
“Courtney?” I ask, only to be interrupted.
“Girls, how are we getting along in here?” My mom comes into the room, wearing a beautiful blue dress that molds to her body. Why didn’t she give me any of those tall, skinny genes? If not for our eyes and lips, my own mom looks more like my stepsister.
“Only have to put our dresses on,” Emily tells her.
“Is it time?” I ask.
I don’t want to get dressed until we have to. My dress is pretty comfortable, but I am wearing heels with it. Mom and Emily helped me pick out a pair that had thicker heels so I don’t break my neck, but still. This isn’t going to be easy. I’m going to feel so out of place.
“Yes, some guests have already arrived.”
“Gracie,” Tomas calls for my mom, stepping into the library where Emily and I had spent the afternoon getting ready. “You left me.”
“I didn’t leave you.” Mom laughs as Tomas pulls her into his side.
“Remember my birthday present,” he whispers to her.
“We’re right here!”
“Standing right here.” Both Emily and I speak at the same time.
They’re adorable, but I don’t want to think about what gift my mom might be giving him later. Especially one he’s whispering about. If he’s as dirty as his son and uses a bit of blackmail, I really don’t want to know.
“Both of you stop.” Mom shakes her head at us. “I promised him I’d stay in reach of him all night.”
“It’s my birthday. I want to spend it with my wife.”
“Tomas.” Mom melts into him, and they start to kiss.
“Okay, you two. We’ll get dressed and be out shortly.” Emily shoos them along.
I help her get into her dress. It’s not shocking that she has a pink dress. It’s strapless, fitting tight at the top but flaring out at the waist before stopping mid-thigh. She looks gorgeous in it. But that’s no surprise. The girl could wear a paper bag and make it look glamorous.
I’d gotten a white dress that also fits snug up top, but it has long sleeves with ruffles at the ends. The front dips down low, showing more cleavage than I’m used to, but with this style of dress, I get to wear a bra, and I need one. It flares out around the waist, but mine is a bit longer than Emily’s, stopping right above my knees.
“I can see your panty line,” Emily points out. “You got a thong?”
“No.”
“Yeah, they suck. Just go without.”
“Go without panties?”
“Yeah, it will be fine. Your dress isn’t short.” I glance in the mirror that was set up next to the rack where our dresses had been hanging, and realize you can see the outline of my panties at the top before the dress starts to flare out.
“Fine.” I reach under and pull them off, putting them into one of the bags before I put the heels on.
“Damn, you look like a sexy angel.”
“Really?” I don’t think anyone has ever described me that way before.
“That red lipstick really pops with your dark hair.” I run my fingers through my hair that they’ve put soft waves into. I even have to admit that I feel different tonight. I’m not sure if it’s from everything that happened with Asher or what. But I feel sexier in my own skin.
I wonder what Asher will think when he sees me. Is he still regretting the things we did?
What have I done?
I haven’t seen him since he left my room. I know one thing for sure: I won’t be chasing him down.
14
Asher
“I take it that things didn’t go well last night?” Chase asks as I toss back the scotch the bartender poured me.
“It went fine.” The bartender starts to refill my drink, but I wave him off. I don’t need to be blasted right now. I’m already having control issues as it is when it comes to Molly. No need to fuel that fire.
“Then what’s with the piss-poor attitude?” My eyes linger on the entrance of the giant tented-off area. I don’t think you can call it a tent. A whole ballroom has been constructed in the backyard. I have to give it to Grace; she’s really gone all out for my father’s birthday. But I guess you can do that when you have an unlimited supply of money to work with.