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)
“If it wasn’t me he was marrying, it would be someone else. The impression I got is that he’s given up on trying to build a real relationship.”
“Yeah, I sensed that, too.” She took a moment to study me as intently as her son often did. “Are you sure this is truly what you want? I don’t only ask that as Dax’s mom. I ask it as someone who—being so happily married—knows what you could be missing out on by committing to someone you might never love.”
I really did like this woman. “It’s what I truly want.”
“Then I hope everything works out the way we want it to.” She got to her feet. “Take care, Addison.”
I rose from my chair. “You, too.”
No sooner had Kensey left than my best friend rushed inside, a hand on her chest.
“What was that all about?” asked Sabrina. “Did she come to talk you out of marrying Dax?”
“Actually, no.” I sank back into my seat. “She pretty much wanted the reassurance that I wasn’t utterly indifferent toward Dax. She was a lot nicer to me than what I suspect my dad and Ollie have been to him. Both sought Dax out yesterday to press him into backing out of the pact.” They’d also called me late last night to take another shot at making me reassess whether I was truly doing what was best for me.
Sabrina let out a loaded sigh. “I suppose we should have expected that.”
“I did expect it. I know how they are. Dax made it clear they were wasting their time, but I doubt they’ll so easily give up. It’s not in their nature.”
“Don’t be surprised if they give you a recommendation for a divorce lawyer as a wedding gift.”
A surprised chuckle bubbled up. “I wouldn’t put it past them. I’d make them pay for being interfering busybodies by forcing them to wear weird-ass buttonholes, but there’s no way to force them to do anything they don’t want.”
“You’re really no different in that respect, you know.”
“I do know. I’m fine with it. On a whole other subject, did you get Tamara to agree to be a bridesmaid?”
“No.” Sabrina’s lips thinned. “I tried. I really did. She wants to support you on your big day, but she has unflattering views of marriage and thinks the concept of it is bizarre and outdated. But hey, you’ll have Alicia and Harri.”
“And Raven, Dax’s sister. I called her earlier. She wants to be included.” She’d been so sweet about it. “I emailed her a picture of the dress Alicia and Harri chose—she gave it a thumbs up.”
“Awesome. We totally need to bring her into the fold. Who’s the best man?”
“Dax’s brother, Caelan.”
“What about the rest of the groomsmen? Who are they?”
“Drey and two guys who seem close to all three brothers. Jagger—or Jag, as he’s mostly referred to—is the son of Kensey’s best friend and also a tattoo artist who works for Caelan. Maverick works at CCC, the place that builds custom motorcycles.”
Sabrina hummed. “I’ve heard plenty about CCC. And I think I’ve seen pictures of Maverick—he’s always photographed with Drey, right?”
“Yes, those two are pretty tight. I haven’t officially met Maverick, but I did meet Jag once—they’re cousins. And equally pleasant to look at.”
“So, basically, there’ll be a hot guy buffet at your wedding.”
“Essentially, yes. I offered for Ollie to be one of the groomsmen. He stiffly but politely turned it down.” Which wasn’t a surprise.
“Because it means he’d otherwise have to give the marriage his stamp of approval.”
“Exactly. But it works out okay, actually. It means I have an equal amount of bridesmaids and groomsmen.”
Sabrina grinned. “You’re going to pair Harri up with Drey when it’s time for them all to walk down the aisle, aren’t you?”
“Well, of course. What kind of sister would I be if I didn’t?”
“The kind who doesn’t want to see Alicia turn a frightening shade of red at the sight of her baby sister linking arms with someone who’s ‘too old’ for her.”
I felt my mouth curve. “And why wouldn’t I want to see that?”
Chapter Eleven
Mouthing the lyrics to the song playing on my tablet, I smoothed my hand along the brown parcel tape, pressing it firmly against the cardboard box to help it stick. Satisfied it was well wrapped, I grabbed the black marker from the hardwood floor beside me and then scribbled, “BOOKS” on both sides of the box.
I’d spent the past two hours sitting on my bedroom floor packing my belongings, and my butt was beginning to hurt. Luckily, there wasn’t much left to do, because I couldn’t afford to stay up late.
I was getting married tomorrow.
I would have thought I’d be a nervous wreck, but I was the most relaxed I’d been since Dax emailed me out of nowhere to ask for a client consultation. No doubt I’d have a bad case of the jitters in the morning, though. It wasn’t every day a girl exchanged vows with a man before a priest, was it?