Total pages in book: 190
Estimated words: 181992 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 910(@200wpm)___ 728(@250wpm)___ 607(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 181992 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 910(@200wpm)___ 728(@250wpm)___ 607(@300wpm)
“No, they won’t,” I agreed. “I’m planning to announce it at my birthday barbecue later.” My parents were holding it at their home. “I have no doubt I’ll receive negative reactions from several corners. But I have Alicia’s support, and now yours. I think Harri will back me, though she might be hesitant at first.”
“Tamara will be behind you, too. Purely because I am. As for Marleigh and my parents? I can’t be sure how they’ll react.”
“I’m not expecting everyone to be all joyful about it. I get why they won’t be. But I’m not going to change my mind—I just need them to respect that and let the situation be.” I’d do the same for them, so it was only fair.
“When are you going to tell Dax that you’ve reached a decision?”
“Tomorrow. He said he’d come see me then.” I was a little nervous about it, despite being sure of my decision. Or maybe it was the mere thought of being in his general proximity that made my system feel unsettled.
“If you tell your family first, you run the risk of them contacting him before you have a chance to give him your answer,” she warned.
“I’m going to make them first promise not to share my news with anyone else.”
“You think that will really stop your dad from contacting Dax to scare him off if it’s what he wants to do?” asked Sabrina, flicking up a doubtful brow.
“Don’t worry, I’ll handle my dad. He’ll be all disapproving, but he won’t interfere once I put things in a certain light.” He’d otherwise be a hypocritical bastard.
She squinted. “You know something I don’t.”
“I do.” And he had no idea I was aware of it.
“Are you going to blackmail him?”
I frowned. “What? No. Do you really think I’d do that?”
She gave an innocent shrug. “You Davenports can be ruthless.”
The door behind me swung open as a member of our team breezed inside, speaking into his phone. He briefly raised his eyebrows at us and then made a beeline for the corkboard across the room.
Sabrina leaned into me. “By the way,” she began in a whisper, “I’m telling you now, you’d better make me maid of honor.”
She’d said the same to Marleigh. “Are you going to insist that everybody around you does this?” I asked, my voice just as low.
“Yes. Tamara isn’t keen on marriage, so this is the closest I’ll get to walking down an aisle in a pretty dress. You will not take that from me.”
I flapped my arms a little. “Why is everyone trying to benefit from my wedding?”
“It’s your own fault for surrounding yourself with selfish people, so don’t expect any sympathy from me.”
I rolled my eyes. “Whatever. Now let’s get to work.”
∞∞∞
Not lacking in either space or style, my parents’ mansion was situated on a sprawling piece of land. It had rooms upon rooms, which had made our childhood games of hide-and-seek interesting. My favorite room was, without a doubt, the grand library. But the outdoor setup sure was sweet, and not merely because of the pool, hot tub, and cabanas.
All of us were gathered around the patio as we waited for the burgers and hot dogs to be ready. Dane and Ollie stood at the barbecue with Sabrina’s parents, Hanna and Kyle. I had no idea what they were talking about, since I sat on one of the long, rattan sofas with Alicia, Sabrina, Harri, and my mom Vienna.
Both Tamara and Marleigh had each claimed a nearby chair. My maternal grandfather, Simon, sat on another sofa with my mom’s foster parents, Melinda and Wyatt—all three had essentially banded together to raise Vienna.
The sounds of chatter, meat sizzling, and the crackling of the firepit laced the evening air, along with the scents of charred food, woodsmoke, and chlorine.
I hadn’t yet mentioned my upcoming marriage. I didn’t want to speak of it until my grandfather was gone. Though Simon had Dissociative Identity Disorder, he wasn’t fragile by any means. Still, he wouldn’t deal well with all kinds of shouting—and there’d for sure be shouting once Ollie and my dad heard my news.
So I’d kept quiet about it, gratefully accepted my gifts and cards, and was now raring to eat. I was also looking forward to getting a slice of my birthday cake—my mom had bought it for me and damn it looked freaking delicious, all white frosting and edible roses and swirly thick borders.
Beside me, Alicia growled, snapping me out of my reverie. “God, Sabrina, why do you insist on playing cupid?”
“If I can’t match Aleksei up with Addie, it’s going to have to be you,” Sabrina told her from further along the sofa.
“Why does it have to be any of us?” questioned Alicia.
Sabrina pursed her lips. “I suppose I could try matching him with Harri.”
“He’s too old for her.”