Total pages in book: 167
Estimated words: 157175 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 786(@200wpm)___ 629(@250wpm)___ 524(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 157175 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 786(@200wpm)___ 629(@250wpm)___ 524(@300wpm)
‘What if I need the ladies?’
‘Then I’ll come,’ I say matter-of-factly, because it is definitely a fact. She smiles, knowing I really will, and leaves the elevator. ‘If it’s too loud, you must tell me.’ I don’t want her getting a headache.
‘What will you do? Demand everyone be quiet and order Drew to turn off the music?’
I smile down at her, not needing to answer. She knows I’d do that as well.
‘Silly question,’ she says on a shake of her head. ‘Of course you would.’
We cross the threshold of the room, and I feel Ava’s hand squeeze mine, her other hand coming up and clinging onto my bicep. ‘Relax,’ I tell her gently, taking a glass of fizz from an offered tray and peeling her hand off my arm. I give her the champagne. ‘Small sips.’
‘Right.’ She sinks the entire glass, stealthily moving back when I reach to seize it. ‘Too slow, Ward,’ she murmurs, placing the empty on the tray.
The woman is impossible. ‘You’ll pay for that.’
‘Can’t wait.’ Her hand raises in a wave, and we’re soon joined by Raya. ‘Congratulations, Raya. You look gorgeous,’ Ava tells her, taking both her hands and holding them out to admire Raya’s dress in all its glory.
‘This old thing?’ She rolls her eyes and moves in to kiss Ava on the cheek. ‘Thank you for coming. It means a lot to me and Drew.’
‘Wouldn’t miss it for the world.’ Ava peeks up at me and jerks her head a little, her way of telling me to give some attention to the lady of the moment.
‘Really stunning,’ I all but grunt, peeling my eyes away from my devious wife just as Drew joins us. His suit is pristine, as expected. He gives his fiancée a loving kiss on her cheek, before moving in on Ava. I will him not to make a big deal of her presence. Everyone commenting on her actually being here won’t help.
‘Ava, you look sublime.’ Drew drops a gentle kiss on her cheek before rejoining Raya. ‘Thank you for coming. Now, if you wouldn’t mind me stealing my beautiful bride-to-be.’
‘Of course, you go.’ Ava shoos them away and takes advantage of the passing waiter as I shake Drew’s hand.
‘Easy,’ I warn as she takes the glass to her lips.
It rests on her bottom lip for a few moments as she regards my increasingly bristly form. Then she makes a show of taking the smallest, slowest sip she possibly could.
‘Don’t push me, lady.’ I collect her hand and push through the crowd, making sure I clear the way first as I pull Ava along with me.
‘There’s John,’ Ava says, pointing towards the bar. ‘And Elsie.’
He’s brought a date? I change course quickly, heading their way. The big guy is smiling, probably wider than I’ve ever seen before, and he’s made a real effort. His black suit is new for sure, his white shirt stark, and his bald head is supershiny, undoubtedly freshly polished. As soon as he spots me, his bright smile turns into a filthy glare. One that could shrink every muscle I have, and I have a lot. But, of course, I completely ignore his suddenly threatening stance, my body becoming taller.
‘Don’t tease him,’ Ava warns.
I scoff. I’ve waited for ever for this. ‘John.’ I slap a firm hand on his solid shoulder. He doesn’t move an inch. ‘You look like you’re here to impress.’ His eyes darken, only making my grin widen. I turn it onto Elsie and blind her with it. ‘And you look ravishing. I hope John has told you so.’ I can’t imagine him paying a compliment.
‘Oh, he has.’ Elsie’s hand reaches for John’s. ‘Quite a few times, in fact.’
John’s still glaring at me, and I’m still totally ignoring it. ‘How romantic of you.’ His eyes are telling me to fuck right off before he smashes me in my smug face, but he would never tell me so in front of his new lady friend. ‘So you two official?’
‘Jesse.’ Ava sighs, sounding tired by my game. Tired? I’ve only just begun. ‘Let’s go and find Kate and Sam.’
‘Good idea,’ John growls as Ava pulls me away. I just can’t wipe the grin off my face. ‘Have a nice evening.’ John sounds less than sincere.
‘You too,’ Ava calls, her yanks of my arm getting firmer. ‘Jesse, for the love of God, will you behave?’
‘This is monumental stuff, baby.’ I relent and turn, letting her pull me through the crowds. ‘I’ve only known him to be goo-goo over his bonsai trees.’
‘He has bonsai trees?’ Her wonder is warranted as she glances back to the colossal, mean-looking man who I adore with all my heart.
‘If he pays as much attention to Elsie as he does those trees, she’ll be feeling pretty special.’ I spot Sam with Kate, who’s shoving a canapé in her mouth. ‘Hungry, Kate?’ I ask, alarmed as she follows it up quickly with another.