Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 95264 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95264 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
“Play your cards right tonight, and I might let you help me peel—”
“Justine! Oh good, you’re here.” Mom’s interruption sounds breathless, as if she ran across the room to get here. She probably did. “I was beginning to worry you’d changed your mind about coming.”
“I honor my commitments, Mom. You know that. But I’m here for a good time, not a long time.” A few drinks and a couple of key hellos—just enough to stroll out with my head held high.
“That’s fine. Joe and Sara will understand.” After a brief kiss on my cheek, she collects my hands within hers. “Gosh, look at you. You look stunning.” She raises her eyebrows at me in a way that says, “But that’s a lot of skin, dear.”
“Nowhere near as stunning as the mother of the groom.” I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen her in anything more formal than a blouse and trousers. Probably Bill’s wedding to Debra.
Ugh. Everything in my life seems to tie back to him.
“You picked out a good one for me.” She beams as she strikes a pose in her royal blue satin dress before her curious gaze shifts to the looming figure beside me.
“Dean, this is my mom, Kitty.” There’s no point using her actual name. It’ll get lost within minutes. “Mom … Dean.”
She tips her head back. “It’s so lovely to meet one of Justine’s new friends.”
Dean flashes his million-watt smile, sending her into a fit of Kitty-esque titters.
“Okay, settle down. Where’s Dad?” I search the room. But it’s not him I’m looking for. The sooner I locate Bill, the sooner I can avoid crossing paths with him.
“I left him over there, talking about cigars or some other nonsense with Clive, Sara’s father.” She waves it off before dropping her voice to whisper, “This place is something else, isn’t it? I thought your father was going to test the picture frames for gold on our way in.”
A warm hand catches my elbow and my attention. “Beer, Justine?” Dean has spotted the penguin suit behind the full bar and needs a drink that doesn’t come in a dainty flute.
“In this dress?” I scoff. “A Negroni, please.”
He turns to my mother. “Kitty, can I get you something?”
“Oh, I have a champagne going somewhere. On a table, I think. But thank you. That’s very sweet.”
“Yeah, that’s Dean. Sweet.”
He flashes another brilliant smile, and Mom bursts into another round of titters, one that turns a few heads.
“Stop that.” I jab his side with my index finger, meeting hard muscle. “She’s not Dottie, comprende?”
He strolls away, parting the small crowd with his size .
“Who’s Dottie?” Mom asks.
“Scarlet’s mother. Dean got drunk and banged her a few years back.”
A strangled sound escapes Mom’s mouth. She knows nothing of Scarlet’s siren mother or the scenario that could have led to that outcome.
I’m too preoccupied with my own worries to enlighten her. “Are they here?” I don’t have to specify who.
It takes her a few beats of blinking and swallowing to regain her composure. “Yes, they’ve been here all night. The last I saw, they were going out onto the terrace with Craig and Molly. They have heaters set up.”
“And where is this terrace?” So I can avoid going anywhere in the vicinity of it. It shouldn’t be too hard. This place is huge.
“Far left. Come, we should introduce you to Sara’s family.” She collects my arm.
But I plant my heels on the patterned hardwood floor. “I’d rather have my drink and my big, beefy crutch with me before I dive in.”
Mom gives me a look that’s half pity, half admonishment. “I know the situation is far less than ideal, but this isn’t you, Justine. You don’t cower. You charge in headfirst, like a bull.”
“Olé.” I sigh, her words cutting deep. “I know. You’re right.” I guess Bill broke something in me.
“It’ll be like a Band-Aid. The sooner you get it over with, the sooner it’s done. Come.” She gives my arm a gentle tug forward, whispering, “Just tone down the crass words and talk of banging. We want to make a good impression on Joe’s future in-laws.”
“So, don’t be myself?” She just finished complaining that I wasn’t.
“Be you, but a more refined version. And please, for the love of all that’s holy, don’t cause a scene that will embarrass your brother.”
“Moi? Never.” I force a smile as Mom prattles in my ear and we meander through the throng of guests. They’re all from Sara’s side, from what I can see, or a side of Joe’s life I’m unfamiliar with.
“Sara’s parents’ names are Audra and Clive, and they are as lovely as she is. Honestly, I’ve been so nervous all week, wondering what they’d think of us. But Audra has been nothing but gracious since we arrived. I can see where Sara gets it. And your father seems to be hitting it off with Clive and the others … a few of Sara’s uncles are here. I can’t remember their names, so make sure you lead with the introduction. Her sister’s named Katrina, and her brother is Kent. They’re twins, and they’re both in the wedding party.”