Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 77341 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77341 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 387(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 258(@300wpm)
“I think I’m marrying well anyway.”
“My mother does seem to think I’m a catch.”
She laughs. I’m relieved. Despite her return to laughter, there’s more to her feelings than she shared. I want to know what they are, but I don’t want to push her. Not now.
If I’m completely honest, I can’t believe I care this much. It’s not that I was ever an asshole to Bianca—not intentionally, anyway. But I didn’t suggest talking about emotions and sharing personal shit or deep matters with each other. Yet … it doesn’t feel uncomfortable.
Who knew?
I hide a grin. As long as I don’t turn into Banks and be all about emotions, I’ll be okay.
My phone starts ringing. “Ah, hang on.” I dig it out of my pocket. “This is my sister, and if I don’t answer it, she’ll just keep calling. And if I turn my phone off, she’ll send someone over here to order me to turn it back on and answer her.”
“I like her already.”
“You would.” I roll my eyes as she bumps my shoulder. “Hi, Paige.”
“Foxx Callum Carmichael—you better tell me that our mom is a big fat liar.”
I chuckle. “I’m good, Paige. How are you?”
“Are you getting married tomorrow?”
“We’re trying to get married tomorrow.”
“And you didn’t think to tell me? Even Maddox had the decency to tell me so I could be there. How can you do this to me? I’m getting a new sister, and I don’t even know her. How am I supposed to know what kind of memes to send her?”
I laugh. “That’s what you’re worried about?”
“Sir,” she says as if the word is a whole sentence. “Memes are the language of the times. You would know that if you weren’t an out-of-touch, cranky old man.”
I grin. “And you wonder why I didn’t invite you to my wedding.”
“Jerk. Is she there? Can I talk to her?”
In a perfect world, I’d rather not let Paige talk to her yet. I’d rather she meet the family one at a time in a controlled environment. But something gnaws at me, making me wonder if it wouldn’t help Bianca to know there’s a big family of slightly crazy but supportive people who will rally around her with no questions asked. So she can relax here. So she can feel safe.
“Bianca hasn’t even met Mom yet,” I say. “I’m afraid you’ll scare her off.”
“I’ll be on my best behavior. Swear.”
I sigh, looking at Bianca. Secretly, I’m glad Paige is being a pain in the ass. This might take one element of anxiety away from my fiancée.
“This is my sister. Do you want to talk to her? You can say no.”
“But please don’t say no!” Paige shouts.
Bianca is unsure but holds her hand out for the phone. I place it in her palm and hope for the best.
“Hello,” Bianca says, sitting tall. “Yes, I’m really marrying your brother.” She listens for a moment—too long of a moment before laughing. “Absolutely. And, no, I won’t tell him.”
She looks at me and winks.
“Give me that back,” I say, holding out my hand.
“Talk to you soon,” Bianca says before returning the phone to me. “She’s so sweet.”
I roll my eyes. “Happy now?” I ask my sister.
“I couldn’t express my current level of happiness if I tried,” Paige says. “I’ll let you go. I just had to find out if you wouldn’t be a solitary animal any longer. And, Foxx, I already really like her.”
“Well, I’m glad. I can go through with the wedding now.”
“Asshole.” She laughs. “Love you.”
“Love you, Paige. Goodbye.”
I rest my head against the cushions and turn my face to Bianca’s. Instead of feeling a ripple of anxiety, a wave of contentment washes over me.
She sits sideways on the sofa with her shoulder against it. She studies me.
“What?” I ask.
“I just can’t believe you’re doing this for me.”
I smile. “It’s really putting me out.”
She narrows her eyes but smiles, too. “Do you want to get married one day? For real?”
I hum, looking at the ceiling and pondering that question. It’s not an easy question to answer.
I’ve purposely avoided relationships that I thought could develop into something serious, mostly because I didn’t want to go through the drama of having it end. Women, people, annoy me. I dislike most of them. That’s not a great character trait, but at least I’m honest with myself. I get a negative vibe from most of the people I meet—something that tells me they have a vein of dishonesty or laziness or disloyalty. I can’t override my gut instinct. I spent too many years relying on it.
Would I have felt differently had I been with the right woman? If I’d been with a woman who made me laugh, who challenged me, who kept me on my toes? Someone intelligent, and brave, and beautiful … would I have considered a path to marriage?