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)
Forcing myself to look away, I say, “It’ll be a fun rehearsal if the groom and all his men come back drunk.”
“Yeah, that would make it interesting, especially if tomorrow comes and they don’t remember anything they rehearsed.” As I’m laughing at this, he asks, “Would you like me to come to the rehearsal?”
“No, that’s not necessary. Only the people in the wedding need to be there.”
His face goes serious. “What if Rick is there?”
I stand taller, pushing my shoulders back. “He shouldn’t be, but if he is, I’ll be okay.”
Miles gives me a long, steady look, as if he’s trying to gauge the honesty in my assertion. “Remember that we’re here for you if you need us. All you have to do is send a text, and I’ll come right down.”
“Thank you. I appreciate that.”
That sweet exchange replays in my head while I get undressed in the bathroom and get in the shower. As I soap up, I think again about what it would feel like to have the men’s hands all over me. Max said he was tempted to touch me last night at the pool party, and I would have let him.
Miles offered to share my bed tonight, and I’m already looking forward to having his big, strong arms wrapped around me. It was wonderful cuddling up to Max’s warm body, and I expect it’ll be just the same, yet somehow delightfully different, with Miles.
Thinking about how the twins are different reminds me of how Max said he needed to kiss me so that I could compare, but he never did ask me to rank them, thank goodness. I’d rate both of them twelve out of ten for kissing, and I could never pick which one was better.
It’s funny how I’d been dreading this long series of wedding events, but now I’m starting to feel sad that after tonight, we’ll only be here two more days. Is there any way I can go on seeing both Max and Miles when our long fake date is over?
I may have talked a big talk, but I find myself holding my breath each time someone new arrives at the rehearsal site on the resort’s side lawn. Luckily, time after time, there’s no sign of Rick, and I’m especially relieved when Alexis walks in alone.
Adam and his groomsmen arrive late, and they do seem like they’re feeling the whiskey, but not to the extent that it should affect the proceedings.
Mom and the wedding planner run the show, letting all of us know how things will go during the ceremony and what will be expected. After a couple of run-throughs that go smoothly, we’re dismissed to get ready for dinner.
When Sadie’s friends pull her into a discussion about their hair, Alexis is left standing off to one side, and I impulsively seize the opportunity.
“Want to walk back with me?”
My invitation clearly takes her by surprise, but she nods and falls into step.
We don’t have far to go, so I cut right to the point. “You may not want to hear what I have to say. If he’s anything like he was with me, Rick is probably making you feel like a princess right now.”
Alexis stiffens and pulls away a bit, but she keeps walking.
“All I’m going to say is be careful. He lied to me, he took things from me, and he wasn’t the man he pretended to be. Keep your eyes open.”
She doesn’t respond, and her expression is tight, but not angry.
I give her a moment, in case she wants to respond or ask questions. When she doesn’t, I pick up my pace and cut to the right, toward the side entrance. I’ve said all I need to say. “See you later, Alexis.”
Before I reach the door, my sister calls after me. “Callie, wait.” When she catches up, she sounds sheepish. “Would you have time to do a favor for me?”
“Sure.”
“I’m sorry to ask you to do this, but could you go back to the spa and pick up some of the small tubes of their signature lotion? Everyone loved the vanilla sandalwood scent, and I’d like to add it to the bridesmaids’ gifts. You liked it too, right?”
“Yeah, it was nice.”
“Please get six of them, if you can. You can have them charge it to my room.”
“Will do.”
“If the spa was closer, I’d get them myself, but Adam needs help wrapping his groomsmen gifts, and I won’t have time to do both.”
“No need to explain. I’ve got it.” I turn to leave, but she’s still apologizing.
“I’m just really sorry to ask you to pick up part of your own gift. I’m such a bridezilla.”
“Oh my gosh, Sadie, you are not. That term is nonsense, anyway. It’s your special day, and you deserve to get what you want. Now, Mom, on the other hand … there should be some monster mashup nickname for how she’s been behaving all this time.”