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)
“But you kept the girls pink?”
“Look, Elara’s craft kit consists of finger paint and stamps. I had limited options and we’re never going to get done if we don’t focus.”
“Gotcha.”
I handed him a huge pile of cards that wasn’t even half the guests. “Start with these.”
He paged through the stack. “What am I doing with them?”
“We’re arranging them in groups of ten. That’s how many guests can sit at one table. Where are you going?”
“To get more wine. No way I’m getting through this sober.”
“Might as well crack open another bottle to breathe.” I looked down at the cards in my hand and mumbled, “Because this is going to take all night.”
Hale began spreading out names on the carpet as I worked on a cross-referencing system, something to identify sub-categories of guests so I had a better idea of who the hell these people were. We used mermaid stamps for Naomi’s friends and anchor stamps for Remington’s. Politicians got an American flag stamp, and business associates got butterflies.
“Who’s Lucian and Evelyn Patras?” I asked, taking my job as card-marker very seriously.
“Business associates. You can put them with Shamus Callahan and Lucian’s two sisters. Their names escape me at the moment.”
“We’re inviting people whose names you can’t remember?”
“I know their names, I’ve just had a lot of wine.”
I shuffled through the pile. “Antoinette Patras and Isadora Patras?”
“Yes, that’s it.”
“Uh-oh.”
“What uh-oh?”
I read the back of Isadora’s card. “It says here that Isadora’s husband and brother don’t get along.”
“That’s old news.”
“This came from your father.”
“Well, he’s old. He doesn’t keep up with that sort of thing. Sit them together. They’ll be fine. And put Slade Bishop at that table too.”
“That leaves three more seats.”
Hale stood like a giant over a sea of scattered index cards appearing overwhelmed and ready to bolt. His fingers forked through his hair, leaving it standing on end. “Why is this so difficult?”
“Because someone wanted an enormous wedding.” I took no pity on him. This was his doing, not mine.
“This is like trying to solve an impossible puzzle. Too many people have too many damn enemies. Can’t they just suck it up for one night?”
“Would you want to share a table with people who screwed you over in business or someone who beat you in the last election.”
He huffed. “We can’t possibly accommodate everyone’s bullshit.”
“How about this? Every time you close out a table, I’ll remove an article of clothing?”
His head shot up, a look of intrigue in his eyes. “Deal.” He scanned the grouping of Patras guests. “Find Mason and Liberty Davis and add Sean O’Malley.”
“Who are they?”
“Friends from North Carolina. We can put them at that table. Then you owe me a piece of clothing.”
“Fair is fair.” The wine was making me hot anyway. I stripped off my cardigan and draped it over the chair. I handed him the cards he requested and kept moving. “Who’s next?”
Hale worked faster once I found the right incentive. By the time we were on the G’s I was down to my bra and panties.
“Elliot and Nadia Garnet.”
Hale clicked his fingers and pointed in the air. “That’s… Uh… Roan! Put them with Asher and Scarlett Roan.”
I crawled across the floor to locate the group with the Roans. “Found it.” I looked over my shoulder. “Four more seats to close out their table.”
His smoldering gaze locked with mine. “Fuck.” He visibly swallowed. “Stay right there.” His hand went to his collar as his stare drifted to my ass.
“Focus, Mr. Davenport. We have a hundred more guests to do.”
“I’d like to do you.”
“You can after you finish your homework.”
His eyes rolled back and he groaned. “And when you use that teacher voice… I’m already hard.”
I smothered a laugh. “A boner in class? Not very classy of you, Mr. Davenport.”
“I would have had one every day if you were my teacher.”
“Your assignment’s not finished yet.”
“Fine,” he growled. “But once those panties come off, I’m done and so are you.”
“We’ll see about that.” I tapped the pile of cards impatiently. “We need two more couples to close out Table Nineteen.”
He pinched the bridge of his nose. “Did we place Alessio Di Vicci?”
“The Italian dude? Yes.”
“Damn.” He acted like he was on a game show and a timer was about to go off. “Add Gage and Perrin King…”
“Two more.”
“Shit.” He paced, agitated and unable to think with the huge erection pressing against his pants. “Couples or seats?”
“Two seats or one couple.”
He wracked his brain and fumbled through the cards. “I’ve got nothing but old people and politicians here. We need a young couple.”
“What about the photographer’s brother?”
“Yes! Riley and Emma Lockhart! Bra off, baby!”
I rolled my eyes and laughed at how excited he got. As if he couldn’t see my tits whenever he wanted. “Find their cards.”
While Hale rummaged through the various piles for the Lockharts, I sat up on my knees and unclasped my bra. The room had chilled and my nipples instantly puckered as the lace fell away.