Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 64966 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64966 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
“How nostalgic could it be? The island was bought by a developer about fifteen years ago. The original lodge was bulldozed, and this giant structure was built in its place. Maybe I’m wrong, but I don’t see how it could feel nostalgic after that.”
I glanced at his profile again. “So, if you were to get married, how would you do it?”
“I’d want us to elope. The ceremony should just be about you and me, instead of a big public spectacle. We’d probably have to bring Ginny, or else she’d never forgive us. But that’s it. Afterwards, we could throw a small party to celebrate with our closest friends and family. Why does it need to be more than that?”
Wait…you and me? I’d been speaking hypothetically, and I really hadn’t expected him to make it about us.
Before I could say something about that, my phone buzzed. I read the text and said, “Joy wants to see a photo of each individual basket before it’s sent to the guest rooms.”
“Absolutely not.” He took out his phone and dialed her number. When his sister answered, he put her on speaker and asked, “Where are you right now, Joy?”
“In the back of a town car. I’m on my way to argue our case.”
“And how long have you been preparing for this moment?”
“Seven months.”
“It’s been a hell of a lot longer than that,” he told her. “Your entire career has been building to this, so I need you to be present in the moment. I also need you to trust me. Daniel and I have this under control. The baskets are perfect. Each one looks exactly like the photo you signed off on, and if you think we’re going to send a million more pictures, you’re nuts. Now please, take a breath, and go and kill it. We don’t want to hear from you again until you’re done and on your way to the airport.”
She sighed, but then she muttered, “Alright. But are you sure the baskets are perfect?”
“I’m sure.”
After a slight pause, she asked, “Can I talk to Daniel?”
“You’re on speaker, and I’m right here, Joy,” I said. “The baskets are breathtaking. As good as they looked in the photos I sent, they’re a hundred times better in person. Seriously, they’re stunning, and all of your guests are going to be so impressed.”
“Well, okay.”
“We’ve got your back, and we’re not going to let you down. I promise.”
“Thanks, Daniel. I’m almost at my destination, so I’d better go. I’ll check in afterwards.”
“Good luck, Joy,” I said. “Go in there like the strong, amazing boss that you are and argue the hell out of that case.”
“That’s the plan.”
When the call ended, Malcolm frowned and returned the phone to his pocket. “I’m mildly offended that she won’t listen to me, but she’ll listen to you. She’s never even met you.”
“That’s typical. My siblings would be the exact same way. I think it’s because they’ve known us all our lives, and they’ve seen us do some truly ridiculous shit.”
He turned to me with a grin. “What have your siblings seen you do?”
“Let’s see. There was the month I went around with my underwear on my head and a towel tied around my neck, because I wanted to be Batman.”
“How old were you?”
“Twenty-two.”
He burst out laughing, and I smiled at him. “I was six, actually. And thank god it was over summer vacation, so I didn’t go to school that way.”
“How did putting your underwear on your head make you Batman?”
“My brother’s asshole friend AJ convinced me it looked like Batman’s mask. I was dumb enough to believe him.”
He ran his hands around my waist as his eyes sparkled behind his glasses. “Please tell me there are photos.”
“Of course there are, despite my best efforts to find and destroy them. To this day, my brother Donny still threatens to use them as his Christmas card.”
“Think he’d put me on his mailing list if I asked nicely?”
I chuckled and pretended to push Malcolm away, but he pulled me into a hug and kissed my forehead. We stayed like that for a long moment, until I sighed and said, “I guess we should get back to it. I’m curious to see the party favors.”
“They’re so ridiculous. You’re going to love it.”
We went back inside, and he led me to some boxes in the corner. “There are two different favors. First off, every guest is getting a nice bottle of champagne. It has a custom label, which includes Joy and Felix’s names and their wedding date. And then everyone is also getting one of these.”
He produced a big, blue Tiffany’s box and unpacked an eight-by-ten sterling silver frame. “That’s beautiful,” I said. “Why would you call it ridiculous?”
Malcolm stood the frame on the tabletop and picked up a thick folder. “Because each frame is being given out with this in it.”