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)
Max steps up beside me at the full-length mirror. “We’re going to turn heads when we walk in.”
I don’t look at our reflection for long, but we do look good together. “It’s not my goal to take attention away from Sadie.”
“Your ex is going to kick himself for losing you.”
I adjust the neckline of my dress and make sure my bra strap is tucked in. “I’m told he won’t be here until Friday, thank goodness.”
“Good. Then you can relax and enjoy yourself.”
I don’t know about relaxing, but I’ll do my best to enjoy myself.
Max’s prediction was correct. We do turn heads when we enter the back lawn where the party is taking place, though I suspect the majority of my family are gawking because they’re curious about my date.
Max does look gorgeous, though. His shirt makes his skin look more tan, his teeth more white, and brings out the natural highlights in his brown hair. The sun is preparing to set, and he looks especially golden in this golden hour.
With the beach and the ocean as the backdrop, the evening suddenly feels a little bit magical.
“Would you like something to drink?” Max nods his head toward the bar that’s set up past a line of manicured trees and flower gardens.
“Sure. I’ll go with you so my relatives don’t ambush you.”
His face is skeptical as his grin shines down on me. “You’re silly, Callie. C’mon.” He wraps my hand in his, and I nearly stumble at the sensations that jolt through me.
Miles’s touch had a similar effect, but it was through clothing and not as direct. The warmth of Max’s palm pressed against mine feels ridiculously intimate, and it sends my mind off spinning in a million directions. I fight to cut through the mental noise and remind myself that this man is posing as my boyfriend, and only holding my hand because that’s what’s expected.
Despite the flustered feelings his touch stirs up, there’s another side to it. I also feel safe and whole with my hand in his, like I can relax and feel at ease among the crowd.
And a big part of me hates that a man’s touch can make me feel this way.
If we were alone, I’d pull away, but eyes are on us, so I let him hold my hand as he leads me across to the bar.
On the way there, we have to stop twice so I can introduce him to a great aunt and uncle and a pair of older cousins. Max’s manners are unfailingly smooth.
After we get our drinks—a bottle of light craft beer for him and a white sangria for me—Sadie finds us and introduces Max to Adam. The two men start talking about beer or golf or whatever it is men talk about, while Sadie pulls me off to the side.
“How’s it going? He seems really nice.” Again, her eyes tell me that she also thinks Max looks really nice, but she's probably not going to say anything about that while we're just a few feet away from the men.
“It’s going fine. More importantly, how are things going for you?”
“Good. It’s hard to believe we’re finally here, after all of the planning.”
“I’ll bet.”
We’re facing out toward the rest of the party as a tall, distinguished-looking older man crosses the lawn. “Have you met Adam’s dad yet?” Sadie asks, gesturing toward him.
I shake my head. “That’s the famous Mr. Hargrove?” The man does somehow have an appearance of wealth about him. Maybe it’s his clothing or the cut of his black hair that’s mostly gone silver. I suppose I can see why Mom might be attracted to him.
“Is Mom letting you relax?” I ask, turning back to my sister.
She shakes her head and rolls her eyes. “Now that we’re here, I figured out my best strategy is distraction. When she gets worked up about something, I direct her attention to some small detail or some other person, and send her on her way.”
“Smart. Is there anything you need?”
“Nope. And don’t let Mom send you off on countless errands either. Try and have a good time.”
“That’s what Max told me I should do—the have a good time part. He hasn’t known Mom long enough to tell me to avoid her.”
This cracks my sister up, and the two of us are giggling when the men rejoin us.
“What did we miss?” Adam asks.
“We’re just discussing ways to dodge our mother,” Sadie explains, and Adam nods knowingly. I really hope, for his sake, that our mom settles down once the wedding is over, or he’s going to become one of those men who always complain about their mother-in-law.
As if we accidentally summoned her, Mom appears a moment later with her two sisters in tow. “Have you met Callie’s boyfriend yet?” she asks as she ushers them forward to shake hands with Max.