Total pages in book: 156
Estimated words: 151044 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 755(@200wpm)___ 604(@250wpm)___ 503(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 151044 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 755(@200wpm)___ 604(@250wpm)___ 503(@300wpm)
“Is that an option?”
“Yes, but we would probably have to wait two years to find a place this perfect again. Two years, Elle! Think of everything that could go wrong in two years. We’re still dealing with a pandemic. Weird diseases like rickets and polio are coming back. Putin’s a wild card. The government keeps talking about aliens.”
“You did not literally just reference Putin in regard to your wedding plans.”
“I’m just saying it’s obviously unsafe to postpone when tomorrow is this unpredictable. But most of all, what if two years is too long and Hale realizes he’s made a huge mistake?”
The moment the words actually left my mouth I admitted that was my biggest worry. I glanced at the picture of him in the magazine and felt how off-balance we were. Every day new reminders pointed out our differences.
“Okay,” Elle said softly, gripping my hand. “Take a breath.”
I did as she said and felt my fears morph into sheer exhaustion. “He’s just so perfect.”
“Look, I know you think I’m on Team Hale and I am, but first, I’m the head cheerleader for Team Rayne. I love you, Ray. We all do. So stop acting like you’re this unlovable person.”
I reached for the cupcake wrapper and proceeded to lick it. Elle caught my hand.
“For the love of God, stop. I’ll get you a cookie.” She took the trash and went to the counter. A moment later she returned with a large chocolate chip cookie in a napkin. “Here.”
“Thanks.” I took a bite. “I know Hale loves me, but—” I paused and cocked my head. Then I spit the crumbled cookie onto the napkin. “Blah. No wonder I have trust issues.”
“What’s wrong with the cookie?”
“Raisins masquerading as chocolate.” I shoved the cookie away. “I seriously miss the coffee shops back home sometimes.” Oregon was the OG of hipsters and coffee shops. I sighed. “You’ll help me, right?”
“Of course. I mean, I have school and work, but other than that I’m yours. And don’t forget Tyler.”
“Do you think it’s bad he’s not in the wedding? The planner said we could make him an usher or a reader. I suggested ring bearer, but…”
She snorted. “Were you thinking of making him wear a fanny pack full of flowers? He’d hate that.”
“The idea crossed my mind. Isn’t there some rule that you can’t say no to a bride?” Tyler was our childhood friend and so obviously gay, but he’d never outwardly admitted his sexual orientation. He didn’t like flash and he hated being the center of attention. But he also really liked staring at hot men.
“Maybe don’t piss him off just yet. Tyler can be helpful when he wants.”
“True.” But he could also be negative. “Maybe he’ll meet a sexy single guy at our wedding. I think Elara’s nanny might be gay.”
She lifted a brow. “Maybe we sit them next to each other at the rehearsal dinner.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
“So, do you think you’re going to do it?”
Maybe my mind was already made up and this panic was just part of my process. “I don’t want to wait two years.” All I wanted was to marry Hale.
“Then I say do it. Life’s just a series of distractions. You can either focus on the fun stuff or worry about everything that could go wrong. Either way, time is passing by.”
She was right. I needed to start looking at this as an adventure. After all that was how the best memories were made.
I pulled out my phone and tapped the screen. Then I banged it on the table and blew into the charging port.
Elle frowned. “Are you having some kind of fit?”
“There’s couscous stuck in my phone and it’s not working right.”
“Why is there couscous in your phone?”
“Because I accidentally dropped it in the toilet and the internet said to sit it in rice overnight, but we were out of rice. All we had was couscous. Those little fucking balls got everywhere.” I blew into the charger hole and finally got my contacts to open. I dialed Hale. “It’s ringing.”
He answered right away. “Hey, babe.”
“Hey. Are you finished work for the day? I need to talk to you about some wedding stuff.”
“Hello?”
“Shit.” I shook the phone. “Hale?”
“Rayne?”
“Can you hear me?”
“Hello?”
I banged the phone on the table. “Stupid fucking couscous. I’ll call you from the car!” I chucked the phone in my purse.
I’m in Deep Smit
My phone was ringing the moment I got into the car. I quickly plugged it into the stereo to activate the Bluetooth because, yes, my car was from the Stone Age. The screen of my radio flashed with the words Big Dick Davenport and I answered.
“Hey.”
“Can you hear me now?”
“Yeah. Sorry. I was in a café and there was couscous and… Anyway. Are you finished with your calls for the day?”
“I have a few hours free.”