Total pages in book: 111
Estimated words: 106806 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 534(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 356(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106806 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 534(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 356(@300wpm)
He leans forward and murmurs something to the driver before settling back in the seat. When he takes my hand, thumb stroking the inside of my palm, I don’t pull away.
Maybe it’s the wine we had at dinner or the relief of knowing I made it over one more major hurdle with The Rage, but I’m more relaxed than I have been in months, and I want to revel in this feeling.
Our destination, however, is so close that, despite traffic, the driver announces our arrival a few minutes later.
Alec climbs out and offers his hand to me as I step onto the sidewalk. When he doesn’t let go but threads his fingers through mine, it feels so natural that I don’t pull away.
“Savvy!” someone squeals, and I turn to see Rose running down the sidewalk on sky-high heels. “Alec didn’t tell me you were coming to town!”
Alec and I exchange a glance. I feel like I’ve been caught in a lie, but the truth is this helps us maintain the image for Rose’s wedding.
“It’s just a short visit,” I say. “For business.”
She slaps her brother on the shoulder. “You wanted to have her all to yourself. You can admit it!” She looks me over. “God damn, you look incredible in that dress! I hope that . . .” Her jaw unhinges and her gaze lingers on my hand.
This time when I meet Alec’s gaze, I know my eyes are wide. The ring.
“You didn’t tell me you were going to propose.” She throws a hand over her mouth, and tears fill her blue eyes.
My gaze darts back and forth between the siblings—Rose looking like sunshine spilling over, and Alec with that deer-in-the-headlights look about him. I take a deep breath. “Listen, Rose—”
“I’m so happy!” she squeals, throwing her arms around me. “I get it. You two didn’t want your engagement to overshadow my wedding, but I swear, I am not that bride. I love this news.”
When I meet Alec’s gaze over Rose’s shoulder, there’s an apology in his eyes. Our little lie just got a whole lot messier.
Rose steps back and takes my left hand, tilting it this way and that as she studies the ring in the light of the streetlamps. “Good job, brother.” She flashes Alec a grin. “It’s just stunning.”
He nods. “It suits her.”
“You’ve told Mom, though, right?” She barely waits a breath before her eyes go wide with horror. “Alec, you have to tell her. Like, ASAP. She’ll go apeshit if she thinks you intentionally kept this from her.”
“We weren’t ready to share the news yet,” he says, and it comes out smoothly. He must’ve recovered from the shock of this encounter.
At least one of us has.
Rose turns back to me, and her smile turns into a grimace. “Mom is a shark when it comes to this one. When you met her last weekend she was on her best behavior, but when she feels slighted, you have to watch out.” She finally releases my hand and props her fists on her hips. “You’re playing with fire, brother. She’s got it in her head that you and Portentia will get back—”
“That’s never happening.” Alec folds his arms and shakes his head at his sister, fondness written all over his amused expression. “And if you don’t tell Mom before I do, we won’t have a problem, will we?”
Rose presses a hand to her chest, showing off her own beautiful ring. “I would never narc, you turd!”
He flicks her nose then steps to my side to slide his arm around me and pull me close. “It’s going to be okay.”
Rose bites her bottom lip and studies my ring one more time before giving a sharp nod. “Okay. You always handle her better than the rest of us, so I’ll take your word for it that you have a plan.”
“Thank you,” he says, pulling me tighter into his side. Maybe he can tell that I’m two seconds away from blurting out the truth.
“Oh, look at me, keeping you on the street when you’re out celebrating. I need to get back to my friends anyway.” She waves to a trio of women chatting together at the end of the block. “Go. Drink, dance, be happy. I am so thrilled for you both.” She claps her hands together.
I really like her. So much that part of me wishes this moment were real. I would’ve loved having a sister-in-law like Rose.
“I’ll see you at home,” Alec says.
Rose gapes at him. “Oh, hell no! I’m staying with Jared tonight. You two need the house to yourselves to celebrate properly.”
Alec’s blush is the most adorable thing I’ve seen all year. “Thanks, Rose.”
She winks, blows me a kiss, turns on her very high heels, and walks away.
I sag against Alec. “Holy shit.”
He presses a kiss to the top of my head. “It’ll be okay.”