Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 86751 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 434(@200wpm)___ 347(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86751 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 434(@200wpm)___ 347(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
“You look nice.”
She smiles prettily, her eyes dropping to her feet. “Thank you. You look nice, too.” Her gaze lifts to my resort-casual khakis and pale blue button-down before she meets my eyes.
Even though she doesn’t open the door wide, her roommates are in view, standing together behind her, grinning like they have a secret.
“Are you ready to go?”
“Sure. C’mon in.” When I enter, she introduces me to Ana and Marissa, who I’ve learned about during our study sessions. The pair of them are all eyes, gawking at me like I’m on display in a zoo.
Ana twirls a lock of hair as she assesses me. “I can’t remember, are you the one who goes to Callie’s yoga class?”
“That’s my brother, Miles.”
Her eyes, already like saucers, grow to dinner plates. “Wow, you sure do look like him.”
I give her a grin. “That’s how the identical twin thing works.”
There’s a lot I like about Callie so far, and one thing is that she doesn’t appear to delight in the spectacle of our twinness. She treats my brother and I as individuals, and it’s refreshing.
Callie gestures to a group of bags on the floor. “This is everything.”
“It sure is. Is that everything you own?”
Her face scrunches into an adorable scowl. “I had to pack clothing for five days, multiple events including the wedding, and I also have welcome bags here that I was tasked with putting together for all of the guests.”
“Miles and I could have helped you with those.”
She flashes me a smile as she bends to pick up a bag. “Oh, don’t worry. There’s more to do when we get there.”
“Here, I’ll take that.” I reach for the strap she’s settling onto her shoulder, but she keeps it clasped in her hands.
“I’ve got it.”
“I insist. No respectable fake boyfriend lets his fake girlfriend carry her own bags.”
This comment triggers eye flutters and soft giggles from Ana and Marissa, which causes Callie to give them a disapproving glare.
“I’ll load up and be right back.” I’m barely out the door with several bags in hand when I hear one of Callie’s roommates say something about my butt.
Finally, my freshly-washed car is loaded, and Callie and I are on our way up the coast to the resort. It’s a beautiful day, the sun sparkling on the water and the trees swaying gently in the breeze.
“You mentioned multiple events. Could you remind me of the itinerary for the next several days?”
Callie startles, as if she’d been lost in thought. “Oh, sure. Tonight, there’s a welcome party. Tomorrow is packed, with a morning yoga session—”
I chuckle at this, knowing Miles will be attending.
“…an outing at a nearby roller rink where Sadie and Adam had their first date, and a pool party at night. Then, Friday, the women are going to the spa while the men do some sort of activity, I can’t remember what. Friday night, there’s the rehearsal and dinner—I don’t think you’ll need to go to the rehearsal itself, but my mom will expect you at the dinner.”
“Of course, glad to.”
With a sigh, she continues. “Then finally, the wedding on Saturday, the reception, and an afterparty at the resort’s club. Sunday, there’s a sendoff brunch, but you can always make an excuse that you need to leave by then.”
I offer a smile. “I’m in no rush, Callie.”
“It’s a lot. You may be ready to bolt long before Sunday.”
“I won’t. Stop worrying. We’ll have a good time.” Without thinking about it, I reach over and squeeze her knee. My intention is to be reassuring, but as soon as my hand touches her bare skin, warmth spreads up to my chest. She must feel something too, because her cheeks go pink and her lashes flutter shyly downward.
I want to keep my hand on her leg, but I force myself to pull back.
Her voice is thicker the next time she speaks. “Do you think we should review things, so we’ll have our stories straight?”
“I’m feeling confident. Is there anything you’re not sure about?”
She’s quiet for a moment, thinking. “I guess not.”
“It’ll all be fine. Our relationship is new, so we won’t be expected to know everything about each other.”
Callie nods and turns her gaze toward the horizon.
“How long has your sister been with her fiancé?”
“About two and a half years. They used to work together, but Adam moved to a different company so there wouldn’t be any conflicts if either of them got a promotion.”
“Oh, he doesn’t work in his family business? I looked up the Hargroves, since the name was familiar.”
“Do you know them?”
I shake my head. “No, different Hargrove, but I saw Adam’s father’s shipping business. It looks like a big operation.”
Callie shrugs. “I don’t know why Adam doesn’t work with him. Maybe he just had different career aspirations.”
Good thing for Adam.
CHAPTER 19
CALLIE
Sadie told me the resort was fancy, and she wasn’t kidding. A valet opens my car door when we pull up to the entrance. He takes Max’s keys, and assures us our luggage will be delivered to our room shortly after we check in.