Total pages in book: 64
Estimated words: 61922 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 310(@200wpm)___ 248(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61922 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 310(@200wpm)___ 248(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
“Yes, please.” My gaze locked on his strong hands and…geez, since when were forearms sexy? I cleared my throat and immediately started talking a mile a minute. “No small wedding. I’m gonna want all the bells and whistles.”
“Thank you for the warning.”
“You’re welcome. I’ll have you know I’ve been planning my wedding since I was nine years old and my cousin, Letitia brought over a stack of Bride magazines taller than I was. You could have wrapped me in a bolt of tulle, thrown me a bouquet, and I swear I’d have been the happiest boy in town.”
Alistair’s lips quirked in amusement. “I think my father would have swallowed his tongue.”
“I’m sure my parents probably had a few uncomfortable chats about their precocious son constantly trying on his mama’s high heels, but ultimately, they must have decided foisting conformity on me wasn’t worth the effort. I have a vague memory of being signed up for preschool T-ball. I was probably five years old and had no idea what it was, but I think my mom and dad lured me in with promises of treats and a trophy. One glance at the costume on game day and all hell broke loose. It was so…ugly that I refused to wear it. No way, no how was I putting that polyester mess on my skinny little body. According to Jazz, that was the day I came out.” I snickered.
He grinned, casually petting Beau’s head as he reached for his wineglass. “I can see it clearly. I bet you were ridiculously adorable.”
“Totally ridiculous. When did you come out?”
“I’m not out. Not all the way out, anyway. My family knows and a few friends. That’s it. It just doesn’t seem like anyone else’s business.”
“Fair enough. When did you come out to your parents?” I amended.
“Well, I’d started seeing someone I really liked. My mum recognized all the signs of my mad crush and she was delighted at the prospect that I had a prospect, so she harangued me for hints about the identity of the lucky lady. I finally lost my cool and blurted, ‘Liam!’ ”
I snickered gleefully and did my best RuPaul diva snap. “Oh, no you didn’t.”
Alistair nodded. “I did, and after she’d clutched her pearls and moved beyond the shock, she told me to bring him round for Sunday dinner.”
“That’s nice. And did you?”
“No, we didn’t last long enough to get the family involved. I was so awkward around poor Liam.” He pulled a face and continued. “I tripped over my shoelaces, stumbled over my words, and generally came across as a bona fide mess whenever he walked into a room. Like the day I first saw you.”
“At your office?”
He gave a lopsided half smile. “No, the first time I set eyes on you was at Raine’s party in Cornwall. You floated into the room like a phantom, dressed in gold. Your hair was perfect, your lips were pink, and you’d done your eyes up like an Egyptian prince. I’d never seen anyone more beautiful in my life.”
“Me?” I set my hand on my heart.
“Yes, you. I never quite worked up the courage to say hello that night. There were so many people and in the general chaos, I could almost believe I’d imagined you. A couple of years later, I was too engrossed in my work to put two and two together until you showed up, ready to take Paris by storm. I told Raine I didn’t need the help, but he insisted.” Alistair lowered his gaze and leaned forward. “I’m glad he did.”
I opened and closed my mouth…twice. “I…me too.”
He reached for my hand and pressed a kiss on my palm. “Are you hungry? Françoise is a wonderful cook and—”
“Wait. You’re not awkward. You’re lovely. Inside and out.”
He snorted. “Thank you, but I think most people would tell you that I’m an odd duck.”
“Oh, yeah? Well, odd is my middle name.”
“What a coincidence. It’s mine too.”
We shared a sappy smile. I’m talkin’ super sappy. I had stars in my eyes, a goofy grin on my face, and my heart was beating a mile a minute. It was disarming to feel so rattled yet so safe at the same time. With a dog snoring at our feet and French music playing softly in the background, I could have stumbled onto a Hollywood movie set. This couldn’t be real.
Buzz buzz.
I slipped my phone out, squealing at the new pic of Liza flashing on my screen.
Meow bitch, when are you coming home? Max gives me extra kibble and I think I love him now. Also, news flash. Cally McNally is opening a salon on Melrose. She wants you. My lack of opposable thumbs is tiresome. Can Max send your résumé?
Job opportunity.
That was…interesting. Not something I wanted to think about now.
I closed the text thread, but showed Alistair the photo of Liza, grateful for the diversion.