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)
“Becca and I were talking about it this morning when we picked up our coffee order at Mugger’s,” she says. “The way he looks at you. His little smile.” She squeals. “It’s freaking adorable and even more so because it’s Foxx. The man never smiles.”
I pull my arms over my stomach as she gets up to work on my face.
Foxx isn’t a cheerful person. His generalized demeanor is aloof and a bit cantankerous at times. But when we’re together, his demeanor mollifies. It’s these moments, happening more and more, that I see the real him—the man who hides his emotions behind barriers of self-built protection.
But protection from what?
My heart softens as I imagine him creating a shield between himself and the world. The man I know—the kind, generous, thoughtful man who will very soon be my husband—seems trapped inside his beautiful exterior, and that makes me sad.
Doesn’t he want to be loved? Doesn’t he want to experience the world? Experience … me?
I close my eyes as she dabs a sponge over my face.
You aren’t marrying him for love, Bianca. This is an agreement between two mature adults acting from reason and facts instead of impulse or instinct. Don’t become jaded.
“Your hair looks beautiful,” Pippa says. “Brooke did a great job.”
I check out my reflection in the mirror. “Yes, she did.”
“I want to know how she made it so voluminous.” She sweeps bronzer over my skin. “I’ll have to remember to ask her next weekend at pizza night. Did anyone tell you about pizza night?”
“No. I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Every Friday, we meet at Brooke’s for homemade pizzas. They have this pizza oven on their lanai. We set up a bar, eat, and drink some wine. The guys usually end up in the pool at some point.” She grins. “Foxx has never been to one of them, so hopefully you can talk him into it. I have a feeling you can talk him into anything.”
My cheeks flush, and it’s not from the blush she’s now applying to my face.
I’m not sure what to think about her observations. I definitely can’t talk Foxx into everything, or else I would’ve had sex with him by now. But I can’t tell her that. It would be a big red flag.
But is that what it looks like to everyone else? Is Foxx selling our story that well? I would bet that he can do just about anything well. But acting? Somehow, that surprises me.
A part of me is amused. Another part of me, though, is a little wistful.
It would be so easy to buy into this whole facade. I could lean into being Mrs. Foxx Carmichael, a member of this wonderful family, and escape the reality of my real life. Instead of hiding from my father, I could help Kixx clean up at family dinners. I could hang out with Damaris and learn how to make her pudding pies that everyone raved about last night instead of wishing I could talk to my mother about, well, anything. The only thing I would miss are my brothers.
I miss them.
Tears well in the corners of my eyes.
Even though this wedding is a fraud and it’s only for optics, being surrounded by Foxx’s family makes me wish for my own. I thought I would be okay. I’m used to dealing with emotional situations alone. But I didn’t expect to be emotional, and I didn’t expect to long for someone from my family to stand beside me when I take my fake vows to my fake husband.
Pippa pulls back. “Are you okay, babe?”
I dab at my eyes and sniffle. “Yeah. I’m fine.”
“Oh, Bianca.”
She sets down her brush and pulls me toward her.
The contact breaks me, causing the tears to spill down my cheeks. I don’t know why I’m crying or how to save my self-respect after this burst of emotional vulnerability. All I know is that being hugged by this woman I just met means more to me than anything. This is the hug I’ve been needing.
I pull away, sniffling. “I just screwed up your handiwork.”
She takes a tissue and dries my face. “Then it’s a good thing I can fix it.”
“You’re too nice to me.”
“You’re family.” She winks, getting back to work on repairing my tearstained cheeks. “So I’m sure we’ll fight it out someday. It’s all about balance.”
“I was just thinking about my brothers …” I sigh. “I often think they’re the biggest pains in the asses in the world. But, for whatever reason, I wish they were here today.”
Her brows pull together. “Why did you say they aren’t coming?”
“Oh, um, the wedding was a last-minute thing, and they’re all busy. It’s hard to expect anyone to travel across the country with less than twenty-four hours' notice.”
That and we can’t tip off my father.
“We’ll have a party later,” I say. “It’s probably for the best, anyway. If Tate and Banks were in the same room, it might catch on fire.”