Total pages in book: 132
Estimated words: 133224 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 666(@200wpm)___ 533(@250wpm)___ 444(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 133224 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 666(@200wpm)___ 533(@250wpm)___ 444(@300wpm)
I’m not feeling so brave now.
“Just here,” Blake instructs the driver. The driver pulls over and parks the car. Blake climbs out and then holds his hand out to help me. I give him a nervous smile.
“What?” He frowns.
“Do you know everyone here?” I ask as I climb out of the car.
“No idea.” He looks across the road at the church and all the people. “Not everyone.” He takes my hand in his. “Ready to meet my family?”
I swallow the lump in my throat and nod. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”
We walk across the road, and as we get closer, people turn to watch us.
“Oh my god,” someone pretends to whisper. “Blake brought a date.”
“Subtle.” Blake winces. “My cousins are a nightmare with no idea how to whisper.”
I get the giggles; all families are the same.
“My apologies in advance. We can leave as soon as the speeches finish.” He frowns as he pulls me through the crowd.
“It’s fine.” I smile. It really is fine. The fact that his family is just like mine is somehow comforting.
“Hello.” He nods to people as he leads me along. “Hello, Aunt Patty.” He kisses her cheek. “This is Rebecca.”
“Hello.” I smile.
“Well . . .” Aunt Patty looks me up and down. “Aren’t you just adorable.”
“I love your dress,” I tell her.
“Thank you. I have been dieting for a whole year to fit into it.” She puts her hands on her hips. “I’ve been going to WeightWatchers on Tuesday mornings at the basketball center. It costs a bomb, but I really do think it’s worth it because I couldn’t do it by myself. Frank tells me I could save my money, but what does he know?” She gives me an overexaggerated wink.
Blake’s brow creases as he stares at her, and I bite my lip to hide my smile.
“Catch you later, Aunty Patty,” he tells her as he leads me through the crowd some more. “My family are abominable oversharers,” he says over his shoulder. “Please forget everything you see or hear here.”
“Oh,” someone cries. “My shoes are giving me blisters already.” I glance over to see a young girl, perhaps fourteen, all dressed up in a pretty dress with high heels. She’s holding one of her shoes in her hand. “Does anyone have a Band-Aid?” she calls.
People begin scrambling through their purses, and my heart swells.
“Classy,” he mutters dryly. “Hello, Belinda.” He kisses the young girl. “This is Rebecca.”
“Hello.” She smiles as she holds her shoe. “You don’t happen to have a Band-Aid, do you?”
Blake plays along and pretends to pat his pockets down. “I’m afraid not.”
She turns to her mother. “I told you I shouldn’t wear these stupid shoes.”
“Blake!” her mother screeches as she looks him up and down. “My darling, you look so handsome.”
“Hi, Aunt Thelma.” He kisses her cheek. “This is Rebecca, my girlfriend.”
Girlfriend.
“Ohhh.” Her eyes widen to the size of saucers. “You’re official now?” She pulls me into a bear hug. “Oh, welcome to the family, you sweet child. It will be your wedding next—don’t let him get away. Will you, dear?”
Blake pinches the bridge of his nose, and I bubble up a giggle at his mortification.
Blake Grayson, the suave and sophisticated playboy, has an embarrassing family, and quite honestly, it’s the best thing I’ve ever seen.
“What am I going to do about these stupid shoes?” the young girl interrupts. “Does anyone even care about the pain I’m in?”
“Not really, dear,” her mother replies as she keeps her eyes on me.
“Where’s Mom and Dad?” Blake asks as he looks around.
“Not sure,” she says as she looks around too. “Your sister Catherine has a problem with her SPANX.”
Blake frowns. “What kind of problem?”
“I don’t know,” she huffs. “Her dress is sticking to them and riding up or something. Your father went to find some hand cream from the corner shop.”
“Good grief.” Blake rolls his eyes. “What next?”
“Oh,” I interrupt. “Blake, you should call your dad to pick up some Band-Aids for Belinda while he’s there.”
“Good point.” He takes out his phone and dials the number.
“Oh . . . you’re smart too.” Thelma smiles all-knowingly. “I can see why he’s so smitten.”
I force a smile. Remembering Band-Aids for a child who can hardly walk isn’t what I’d call smart . . . but I’ll take it anyway.
Two hands snake around my waist from behind, and Blake laughs over my shoulder when he sees who they belong to. “Hi, Mom.”
I turn to see a woman. She’s short and curvy, with the most beautiful smile. Her hair is sandy brown, and she has Blake’s eyes. “Rebecca?” She smiles.
“Yes.”
She kisses my cheek, and she has the most gentle energy. I instantly feel at ease. “This is my mom, Rosemary.” Blake hugs her.
“Hello.” I smile. “I can see the family resemblance.”
“You are divine.” She holds my two arms. “I’m half in love with you already.”