Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 85608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 428(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85608 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 428(@200wpm)___ 342(@250wpm)___ 285(@300wpm)
“Hi, Maggie,” I said, turning in my seat to face her. “How was your day?”
“Oh, delightful. The Lockes have a house not far from here. We mostly hung out by the pool all day.”
“Sounds nice.”
“Also,” she said almost conspiratorially, “I heard someone is having a bridal shower back in Midland.”
I glanced at Gavin, and he groaned.
“I hadn’t confirmed it yet, Maggie.”
“Well, Mom told me she was already in full planning mode and that I’m expected to be there. Can I fly with you?”
My cheeks colored. We’d discussed this, and I’d told Gavin to put it on the schedule, but I hadn’t really heard that he’d moved forward with the idea.
“You still want to do it, right?” Gavin asked hesitantly.
“Of course she wants to do it,” Margaret said, speaking over him.
Gavin arched an eyebrow, and I nodded quickly.
“Yes, let’s do it.”
“All right,” he conceded. “Then, sure. You can fly home with us.”
“Excellent. I can’t wait,” Margaret said. “I’m going to head back to Micah.” She waved her fingers at me and then disappeared.
Gavin practically pressed his lips to my ear to ask, “Are you sure?”
On one hand, maybe it was shitty to accept gifts for this wedding. It wasn’t real, and it was happening in such a short period of time. But on the other hand, maybe I wanted to go. Not that I knew what to think about that, except that I adored his family. I’d never had people in my life like that.
“I’m sure,” I finally told him.
He kissed my cheek, and his smile was all genuine. I realized that I liked that too.
A few minutes later, dinner was served, and we all ate the delicious meal prepared by the venue. Cupcakes came later. I couldn’t decide between three decadent flavors, and Gavin insisted we get them all. Chocolate chip cookie dough ended up being my favorite. I’d never had it in a cupcake before, and it tasted so much like ice cream that my taste buds were confused that it was cake.
After dinner was cleared, there were a handful of speeches, and then Gavin pulled me onto the dance floor. Again, I had a bunch of people come up to ask about my hair and who my stylist was.
Katherine laughed beside me when one person came back to ask again. “This is fascinating.”
“That people like my hair?”
“No, I like your hair. I’d never wear it, but it’s so you. It’s ridiculous to think that anyone else has a sufficient personality to carry it.”
I blinked. “That sounded like a compliment, Katherine.”
“Maybe it was.”
“Careful, or I’ll think you’re hitting on me,” I told her with a playful wink.
Katherine was obviously straight, but I liked teasing her all the same. I mean, if she had even an inkling of playing for the other team, I would know and be there so fast.
Katherine shot me a bemused look. “See what I mean? Sufficient personality.”
“Well, I can’t deny that.”
“And you and Gavin?”
“What about us?”
Katherine arched an eyebrow, and her lips quirked. “You know exactly what I mean.”
I glanced around the room, finding him easily, as he was in a deep discussion with a group of other businessmen. My gaze softened. “I like him. It seems crazy since we were such close friends for so long. I never thought either of us would be serious enough to even try this.”
“He seems awfully serious,” Katherine added.
“He does. Doesn’t he?”
“Yes. How do you feel about that?”
“I thought I’d be terrified, but I sort of like it.”
Katherine scowled. “You like how much he likes you, or you find you like him as much as he likes you? Because the first is dangerous territory, Whit. I don’t want you to lead my friend on any more than I’d let him break your little damaged heart.”
From anyone but Katherine, that would be an insult. But I took it at face value. That was where all of her words came from. And I considered them just as seriously in turn.
“I’m going to Midland with him for a bridal shower.”
“Really?” Katherine asked, a note of surprise in her voice.
“I want to go. I love his family.”
“And him?”
I bit my lip. “Well, I don’t like it when he’s gone. And I’ve been having these … weird feelings.”
“Describe them.”
“Like, you know, when you hit a big dip in the road. Like swoops in my stomach.”
Katherine’s grin turned feral. “Butterflies.”
I laughed. “No, no, it’s not like that. It’s like tidal waves. Sometimes, when he says something or kisses me, it’s like everything rocks on the open sea.”
“Because you like him.”
“Yes,” I whispered.
“Good.” She nodded and patted my shoulder twice. “Good. Now, try not to run away scared, okay?”
Katherine looked me up and down to see whether or not I was being serious. Then, she nodded, as if satisfied, and headed toward her husband, who was walking in our direction.