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)
“We understand that we just met,” Brooke says. “And you might have this under control and want us to go away. But we’d love to help you with the wedding.”
“Damaris said it was a spur-of-the-moment thing,” Ashley says. “Do you have a dress and flowers and all of that?”
Damaris smirks at Foxx. He tries to glare at her but can’t quite pull it off. I want to laugh, but Pippa pulls my attention away.
“Tell us about yourself, Bianca. Not in some weird interview kind of way. But where did you live before here? What do you do for a living?”
The question is gentle and asked with a sweet curiosity. It’s oddly comforting.
“Well, I live, or lived, in Nashville,” I say, glancing up at Foxx. “I was the interim president of Brewer Group but have taken a leave of absence since this guy demanded to marry me.”
“That’s such a Foxx thing to do,” Brooke says, laughing. “I wondered how he proposed. A demand seems fitting.”
I laugh, laying a hand on his stomach. My God, the man is made of steel.
“How did you meet?” Ashley asks.
“Foxx works for my family.”
“Doing what, exactly?” Maddox asks from across the room.
“I’m going with she owns a strip club, and he’s a stripper,” Jess says.
Foxx groans. “Can we not do this?”
“My money is on a spy,” Moss says. “And I say that because of the binoculars.”
I furrow a brow and look up at Foxx. “Binoculars?”
“I think he’s secretly like a children’s surgeon or something. And that’s why he’s always stressed out and in a bad mood,” Maddox says.
“I think he inseminates baby goats,” Banks says.
“What?” everyone says in unison.
“Not … personally,” Banks says. “With a syringe or something.”
Jess shakes his head. “What goes through your head, Sparkles?”
Sparkles?
Banks shrugs much in the same way Foxx does. It’s adorable.
“Fascinating guesses. But he’s just a part of our security detail,” I say. “No baby goats.”
The brothers exchange a look. I can’t tell if they don’t believe me or are bored by the explanation.
“He used to be on my team,” I say, hoping context will help them understand the situation. “But he’s been on my brother Renn’s detail for a while.”
Maddox stands, a look of incredulity on his face. “Renn Brewer? Like, the rugby player Renn Brewer?”
“That’s him.”
“He’s your brother?” Banks asks.
“Yes.” I laugh nervously. “Why? Is there a problem?”
Jess snickers, turning his attention to Foxx. “So that’s what you do? You protect celebrities. That makes so much sense.”
“I feel like I’m missing something,” I say.
“We’ve never known what, exactly, Foxx does,” Moss says. “We’ve had theories. But he sneaks out of here in the middle of the night—with my binoculars. And he won’t tell us where he’s going.”
“I’m under an NDA,” Foxx says. “The people I work for don’t want everyone knowing their business.”
“So you’re telling me that Jason Brewer is Renn Brewer’s brother?” Banks asks, still piecing things together. “I’ve had conversations with a famous person’s brother and had no idea.”
I laugh. “Make sure you tell Jason he’s a famous person’s brother the next time you see him and see how well that goes over.”
Everyone laughs, and the sound is music to my ears.
“We have an idea,” Jess says, his arm around Pippa’s shoulders. “If you’re getting married tomorrow, then you can’t stay together tonight.”
My heart starts to pound. Foxx squeezes his fingers against me.
“It’s tradition,” Pippa says. “So why don’t we girls have a little bridal shower slash bachelorette party tonight? And Foxx can hang with the guys.”
“I don’t hang with the guys,” Foxx says.
“We’ll just stay at my house and have some drinks. Talk shit. Beat up Banks,” Jess says.
Banks scoffs. “You can try. He had me pinned behind a table earlier. It wasn’t exactly a respectable fight—and it couldn’t be a respectable fight because I’d kick his ass.”
Foxx lifts a brow. Banks sits back down, angling himself toward the door.
“Or the guys can stay at your house, and Bianca can come to ours,” Pippa offers, ignoring Banks. “It would be so much fun. We could get to know each other, and we can help you get ready in the morning. We can do face masks and our nails—all the stuff.”
“Pippa, that is such a lovely offer,” Damaris says.
My nervousness over the suggestion wanes, and a bubble of excitement grows.
I’ve never had a girls’ night before. I’ve never been invited to hang out and do masks and nails. And while the prospect is slightly terrifying—especially on the eve of my impromptu marriage—it also seems like fun.
“It might be fun,” I say to Foxx. My voice is barely heard over the roar of the room. “What do you think?”
He swallows, eyeing me carefully. Finally, he leans down close to the shell of my ear. “I have to protect you, remember?”
I turn my face to him, nearly brushing my lips against his. I tingle from head to toe and struggle to focus on our conversation.