Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 93578 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 468(@200wpm)___ 374(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93578 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 468(@200wpm)___ 374(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
“Tell that to her,” said Thornton, tipping up his glass to finish off his cocktail. “I’ll be right back. I need another drink.”
Mimi didn’t even look at him as he walked away. “What about your dress? Where’s it from?”
“Paris,” Felicity said. “It’s French.”
“I know where Paris is,” she snapped. “How about the reception?”
“Cloverleigh Farms, of course. But it’s very intimate—just immediate family.”
At this point, Mimi had to concede victory. “Sounds like you’ve got it all worked out.”
“We do.” Felicity put her hand on my chest. And left it there. “We’re very happy.”
“Well, congratulations on keeping it a secret.” Mimi crossed her arms. “That must have been hard.”
“Well, it’s actually still sort of a secret.” Felicity laughed nervously. “We haven’t really announced anything official yet, so if you wouldn’t mind keeping it quiet?”
“Say no more.” Mimi’s eyes suddenly gleamed. “If you’ll just excuse me, I’m going to find Thornton.”
I turned to Felicity as soon as we were alone. “You know she’s going to tell everyone she knows, right?”
She sighed, her shoulders drooping, her eyes dropping to the floor. “Yeah. I’m sorry.”
“You don’t have to apologize to me.” I glanced out at the crowd. “But if she starts spilling the news right now, we might be swamped with people trying to get the scoop.”
Her eyes met mine, a little panicked. “You’re right. Let’s get out of here.”
I put my drink on the table. “You never have to ask me to leave a party twice. What about your appetizers?”
“I can leave them.” She grabbed her purse from beneath the table. “I’ll pick up the platters tomorrow, and my warming bags are already in the car. Let’s just go.”
This time, I took her hand and pulled her through the crowd, into the lobby, and out the front door. I moved quickly, and Felicity had to hustle to keep up with me. When we were out in the parking lot, we slowed to a walk and she started to laugh. “I think we’re safe. God, that was fun. Did you see her face?”
I had to laugh too. “I had no idea what was going to come out of your mouth next.”
“Me neither.”
“Where are you parked?” I asked.
“Right here.” She pointed at the nearest row. “You?”
“I’m over there.” I gestured toward the far side of the lot. “But I’ll walk you to your car.”
“Thanks.” She took a deep breath and looked at the darkening sky. “Smells like a storm is coming, doesn’t it?”
“Yeah.” We walked a few car-lengths. “You still hate them?”
“I don’t really hate them, they just . . . put me on edge.” She glanced at me. “You going back to poker night?”
“Hell no.” I told her about my mother inviting Cleopatra over, and she laughed.
“Well, you can go home early and tell her I kept you out late.”
Going home was exactly what I wanted, except . . . I didn’t really want to leave her. “Do you want to come over?”
“Sure. Have you eaten?”
“No. Want to order in?”
“Or I could make us something. Do you have any food at your house?”
“I’m not sure.” My housekeeper did my grocery shopping for me, but since I didn’t cook, I never paid much attention to what was in my fridge or pantry.
“I’ll hit the store on my way over,” she said, pulling her keys from her purse. “My cooking is better than takeout.” She unlocked her car, the lights flashing in the dark. “I’ll see you in a few?”
“Sounds good.” I opened the driver’s side door for her, and she tossed her purse onto the passenger seat. Then she surprised me by putting her arms around my neck and pressing her body full-length against mine in a giant hug.
“Thanks a lot for coming here tonight,” she said. “I know it was hard for you.”
The words hard for you buzzed through my head as my cock came to life in my pants. Could she feel it? I was an expert in concealing my inner thoughts, but hiding an erection was a trickier task. “I didn’t have a choice, remember? You used the code.”
She leaned back so I could see her face, but she kept her arms looped around my neck, her hips resting on mine. “I promise I won’t use it again unless it’s a real emergency. Anyway, you were amazing.” She kissed my cheek, which did nothing to stop the rush of blood to my crotch.
“It was all you. I only said three words.”
“Really?”
“Yes, I said ‘hi,’ I said ‘F,’ and I said ‘VVS one.’ Some of that might not even count as words.”
She laughed, finally letting me go. “I guess I did do all the talking—all the lying, I mean. Which is going to turn into a big mess tomorrow once Mimi opens her mouth. But don’t worry.” Her eyes met mine, her smile fading. “I promise to clean it up.”