Total pages in book: 127
Estimated words: 123435 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 617(@200wpm)___ 494(@250wpm)___ 411(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 123435 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 617(@200wpm)___ 494(@250wpm)___ 411(@300wpm)
“A, definitely. I mean, no man wants to win a date with his mother.”
That makes me laugh. “Your mom’s here?”
“Her and Dad are sitting over there.” He points to a table to the right of the stage. “She promised she’d save the day if you bailed on me. Hey, you know what, come meet them.”
“What?” I shift in discomfort, the heels of my pointy nude pumps sinking into the burgundy carpet. “Ah, that’s not necessary.”
“No, come. They’d love to meet you. I was telling them about you earlier.”
He was?
I notice Joy giving me a look that says he’s talking you up to his parents?
When I respond with a panicky look that says help, she throws me into the deep end as usual. “I’ll stay here,” she chirps, snagging a flute of champagne from one of the waiters. She takes a sip, smiling impishly around the edge of her glass. “Go meet his parents, Cass.”
Traitor.
“What, is this weird?” Tate asks as he loosely holds my arm to escort me through the crowd.
“No,” I lie. “Why would it be weird?”
“Joy’s acting like meeting my parents is a big deal or something.” He offers a flippant shrug. “It’s just my folks. They’re nothing special.”
He’s wrong. The moment I meet the Bartletts, I become a bit starry-eyed. I’m not the only one either. The couple holds court in the middle of a large group, clearly the center of attention. Tate’s dad, tall, blond, and gregarious, is regaling everyone with a tale that’s making them yowl with laughter. A gray-haired man wipes tears of mirth from his eyes, declaring, “Jesus Christ, Gavin, that’s the craziest thing I’ve ever heard.”
When they notice Tate approaching, the Bartletts break away from their friends, greeting us with broad smiles. Tate had described his parents as being disgustingly in love, and I pick up on it instantly. They emit a distinctive aura that surrounds them, and everyone around them, in a loving cocoon of tenderness.
And they’re always touching each other in some way. Even while Tate’s dad holds out a hand toward me, one arm remains wrapped around his wife’s shoulder. “Gavin,” he introduces himself. “Nice to meet you.”
When Tate’s mom shakes my hand, her other one remains nestled in the crook of Gavin’s arm. “Gemma,” she says. She’s a petite, curvy woman with dirty-blond hair and warm brown eyes, appearing much younger than her age. A white sheath dress fits her body like a glove.
“I’m Cassie.” I return the handshake before glancing over at Tate. “Aw, man. They even have the same initials. Gavin and Gemma. I love it.” I grin in delight. “You guys totally missed an opportunity to go all Kardashian and give Tate a G name.”
“We were definitely considering Gate,” Gavin replies earnestly, “but Tate had a better ring to it.”
I snort out a laugh. “Hear that, Gate? You dodged a bullet.”
“Tate says you’re his auction backup?” Gemma prompts, smiling at me.
“I don’t know … I thought I was. Now it sounds like it’s going to be a bidding war between you and I …” I tip my chin in mock challenge.
Gemma feigns a glare. “Oh, it’s on.”
“Ladies, please. Don’t fight over me.” Tate grimaces. “Like, seriously, don’t. I can’t have my mother involved in any competition where I’m the prize.”
Gavin booms with laughter. “Good point, kid.” He claps Tate on the shoulder before focusing his attention on me. “Cassie, how are you enjoying the summer?”
“It’s been nice. I’ve just been taking it easy.”
“Tate says you grew up in the Bay?”
“I did. My dad and stepmom still live here, with my two half sisters, but I’m in Boston now. I go to college there.”
“Did you tell her my news?” Gavin asks his son.
Tate is flabbergasted. “Of course not. Why would I do that?”
“Maybe because it’s the most exciting thing that’s ever happened to anybody?” his father shoots back.
Tate wasn’t kidding about his dad being an overgrown child. And Tate is the spitting image of his father. The two of them are so similar in both looks and personality that I have to smile watching them interact.
“What’s the news?” I ask curiously.
Gavin’s entire face lights up, pride in his eyes. “Guess who’s being featured in the newspaper.”
Tate glances at me. “The Avalon Bee is doing a write-up on Dad,” he explains. His voice lowers to a stage whisper. “He thinks this makes him special, but they run a profile on a local businessman every month. He’s literally one of dozens.”
“Front page?” challenges Gavin.
“Well, no,” Tate relents. “But the only reason you’re being featured on the front page is because you gave Harvey a deal on that speedboat. You basically bribed the guy.”
“Me? You think I’m capable of bribing a journalist?”
“Yes,” Tate and Gemma answer in unison.
I laugh, then dutifully ooh and aah as Gavin offers more details about the article. We chat for a few more minutes, until Big and Blonde return to the stage and ask everyone to take their seats. The bachelor auction is about to commence.