Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 73963 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 370(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73963 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 370(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
I’ll figure it out later.
“What time?” Max asks.
“We say our vows at four, just in time for the sunset. The photos will be ridiculous. And then we’ll have a small reception at the Lodge on the lake.”
“Not Jacob’s lodge?” I ask, surprised. We usually have most of our events there.
“Not this time,” Jenna says. “I want a lake view.”
“I have a lake house,” Max reminds her.
“I didn’t want to ask,” she admits. “Because it’s short notice.”
Max leans in, looking his sister in the eye. “Anything you want, Jen. Ever. It’s never too much. We’ll have it at the house, and we’ll cater it however you want. Just let me know.”
“I love you,” Jenna says with tears in her eyes.
“I love you, too,” Max says, then reaches for my hand under the table.
“What am I supposed to wear?” I ask.
“Well, I have something for you,” Jenna says, reaching into her handbag.
“If it’s a dress, it’s way too small,” I say, making her giggle.
She passes me a card.
I love you, friend. Please be my maid of honor?
“Now you’ve done it,” I say as I swipe at a tear and lean over to kiss her cheek. “Of course. But I still don’t know what to wear.”
“Something warm,” she says with a smile. “No need to be fancy. This isn’t about fancy or flashy. It’s about love.”
“Damn it,” Nina mutters, also swiping at tears. “Why do you have to be so damn mushy?”
“I know,” I add, nodding. “I can’t even with them. They’re so romantic.”
“So, why do it on the down low?” Max asks.
“Two reasons,” Jenna replies. “My brother and my fiancé are both ridiculously famous, and I don’t want a circus. Secondly, I want the marriage. The wedding isn’t the priority.”
“You’ve never been one to need pomp and circumstance,” I remind everyone. “This actually doesn’t surprise me at all, aside from the timing. You could have told me before this. I don’t tell your secrets.”
“We decided last night,” Christian says, smiling down at Jenna. “We’re ready.”
“Well, then, looks like it’ll be a busy weekend,” I say with a grin. “Would you rather I ask my mom to keep Alex on Saturday or do you mind if he joins us?”
Jenna frowns. “Alex is part of my family,” she says. “He needs to be there.”
“Well, I’m just going to spend the night crying,” Nina says, reaching for another napkin. “I can’t even.”
“Yeah, we’re mushy,” I say with a smile and lean over to hug my best friend. “I’m so happy for you. I want to see pictures of your dress.”
“You’re going to die,” she says, shimmying in her seat. “Like, absolutely die.”
“I can’t believe you didn’t let me help you pick it out. I’m your fashion person.”
“I know.” She bites her lip. “I saw it online, and I just ordered it. It was a spontaneous decision.”
“You ordered a wedding dress without trying it on?” I ask, appalled.
“Yeah. You know a seamstress, right? In case it doesn’t fit?”
“Wait. It’s not here?”
“It arrives tomorrow.”
“That’s like two days before the wedding.”
She nods. “Yeah.”
I take a deep breath and laugh. “We’ve got this. I know people. It’s okay. Everything’s going to be okay.”
“You’ve broken her,” Christian says, laughing hard.
“I’m okay,” I reply.
“It’s going to be the best day ever,” Jenna says with confidence.
And I believe her.
Chapter Eighteen
~Max~
“YOU KNOW I LOVE Alex, right?” I walk into my house and toss my keys on the table inside the door, then pull Willa to me, kissing her soundly.
“But?” she asks with a smile.
“But, it’s convenient that there are grandparents around who enjoy a sleepover now and then.” I pick her up in my arms and head straight for my bedroom. “I’m not at the place where I’m comfortable having sex with him in the house yet.”
“And I love you for that,” she says, cupping my cheek. Every time she says those words, it’s a dart to my heart. “We’ll get there. Eventually.”
“If you weren’t a screamer, it wouldn’t be an issue.”
I grin when she scowls and dump her onto the bed.
“I’m not a screamer.”
“I beg to differ,” I reply as I peel her jeans down her legs and toss them over my shoulder. “You’re a vocal lover.”
“I can’t help it,” she says and reaches for my shirt, tugging it up so she can kiss my stomach. “It’s your fault.”
“I’m not sorry.”
Both of us naked now, I crawl over her, pinning her under me, and nibble her mouth from one corner to the other.
“You’re so fucking amazing,” I mutter against her lips, making her grin. “You turn me on all the damn time.”
“Good. Because it’s the same for me.” She pulls her knees back in an invitation that I’ll never be able to resist, and I slide home, buried balls-deep. “Oh, my God.”
“See? Vocal.”
She bears down, squeezing me, and I groan in pleasure.
“I’m not the only one.”