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)
But before we could protest, the Clipper Cuts gathered into formation before us, and Harvey blew a note on the pitch pipe.
“Congratulations to you,” they sang in four-part harmony to the tune of Happy Birthday, “Congratulations to you. Congratulations on your engagement, congratulations toooooo youuuuuuu,” they crooned, drawing out the last two notes while shock coursed through my veins.
Everyone cheered as Felicity and I exchanged a frantic look.
“Pic!” my sister shouted, holding up her phone. “Everyone in!”
The Clipper Cuts eagerly crowded in behind us while my family squeezed in on the sides. Neil held Jonas in his arms, and my mother scooped up Keely and set her on one hip. Allie snapped one, then scrunched down in front of us and took another selfie-style so she could be in it too. “How about smiling this time?” she suggested with a laugh. “Hutton and Felicity, you two look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
I couldn’t even attempt a smile. I have no idea what shape Felicity was able to make with her face. For fuck’s sake, I didn’t even have a shirt on.
“Now one of the happy couple,” my mother said.
I held up one hand. “Mom, really, this isn’t the—”
“Oh, now don’t be shy,” she chided, clasping her hands beneath her chin. “Put your arm around her, Hutton! You’re in love! And the poor girl is trembling with excitement.”
I looked at Felicity—she did look shaken and scared—and immediately put my arm around her shoulder.
“Um, Mrs. French, everyone, there’s something I need to explain,” Felicity began.
“Please. Call me Mom.” My mom’s eyes grew tearful again. “And there’s nothing to explain. It’s the oldest story in the book—boy meets girl, they’re just friends for years, then they realize that there’s always been something more there . . .” She wiped away tears. “It’s like the universe has answered all my prayers. Now I can stop worrying about you, Hutton.”
“You can?”
“Yes.” She laughed delightedly. “No more trying to set you up, because clearly you’ve realized that your soul mate has been right here all along.”
Felicity shook her head. “I’m so sorry about this, but—”
“Don’t be sorry.” My mother smiled. “We understand wanting to keep the news to yourselves. It’s only natural to want to hold a secret like that close to your heart. But now that it’s out,” she went on excitedly, “I can’t wait to celebrate! And is it true the wedding is next month?”
“Uh . . .” Another panicked look passed between Felicity and me. “Where did you hear that?”
“Oh, the news is everywhere,” said my sister. “Online, local morning news, social media. You’ve been secretly engaged for weeks, and you’re having a very intimate wedding at Cloverleigh Farms in August. At least five friends texted me the headlines and asked if it was true.” She laughed. “I had my doubts, but Mom was positive the universe would not play such a cruel trick on her.”
“And I was right! Just look at them—it’s obvious what’s been going on,” my mother said with a wink, gesturing at my shirtless chest and Felicity’s bare legs.
“Hope we didn’t interrupt,” said Neil with a laugh.
“Say cheese!” My sister snapped another pic. “How about a kiss?”
“A what?” A tremor went through Felicity, and I tightened my arm on her shoulders.
“A kiss!” My mother clearly loved the idea. “For the camera. For prosperity. For love!”
“Exactly,” my sister said, aiming her phone at us. “Kiss her, Hutton.”
I looked into Felicity’s eyes and saw a multitude of emotions—fear mostly, but also a familiar warmth, and possibly even a little hope. Without thinking, I lowered my lips to hers.
My mother sighed, my sister awwww’d, Zosia ewwww’d, and the Clipper Cuts launched into “Let Me Call You Sweetheart.”
But I barely heard any of it, because for the first time, I was actually kissing the girl I’d been wanting to kiss since I was fifteen. Her lips remained closed, but they were just as soft and sweet as I’d imagined them, and even though the kiss was as chaste as it had to be with such a big audience, I didn’t want it to end.
“Okay, I got the picture,” my sister said.
But we didn’t stop.
“Get a room!” shouted Neil.
“That’s gross. Can we have the donuts now?” asked Zosia.
I lifted my head and opened my eyes—Felicity’s expression was one of total astonishment. “I’m—I’m confused,” she whispered.
“Come with me.” I grabbed her forearm and yanked her toward the back hallway, my mind clicking.
“I was kidding!” Neil yelled with a laugh.
“Oh, let them go,” my mother said. “They probably need a moment to themselves—we barged right into their love nest unannounced.”
Inside my room, I closed the door and spun around. Felicity’s face was drained of color except for two splotches of red on her cheeks. “Oh my God,” she said. “I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t be.”
But Felicity had started to pace along the foot of my bed. “I shouldn’t have opened my big mouth to Mimi. I knew this would happen. I just didn’t think about the consequences of your family hearing the news and being so happy about it! And it’s not just them.”