Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 119548 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 598(@200wpm)___ 478(@250wpm)___ 398(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119548 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 598(@200wpm)___ 478(@250wpm)___ 398(@300wpm)
Unsurprisingly, that was when we’d banned her from flaunting them. Not that she listened to us, but at least we could say we’d tried.
Fred sat next to me on the sofa and rested his arm comfortably along the back of the cushions. He relaxed his hand, and his fingers just brushed my loose hair. It took everything in me not to swat his hand away from me, so I folded my arms across my chest and tucked my hands under my armpits so I could resist the temptation.
This was going to take some getting used to.
Him rubbing my feet or shoulders was fine—but this casual, flippant contact was a bit unnerving.
“Relax,” he muttered in my ear as Nana turned her attention to something on Mel’s phone. “Unless you want us to get caught.”
“I kind of do,” I replied under my breath.
He laughed and shook his head. I didn’t know what was so funny. I wasn’t lying. Getting caught would be one way to put an end to this farce before we truly passed the point of no return.
Nana looked over at us, her eyes crinkling as she smiled. “There’s no need to look so uncomfortable, Lala.”
“She’s just not used to it,” Fred answered before I could open my mouth and say something stupid. “Besides, she’s not exactly a public display of affection person like these two.” He nodded towards Mel and Henry.
“There’s nothing wrong with that!” Mel huffed, but she got up and sat on my other side, grabbing my arm. She hugged it and tugged me against her, and I leant to the right into her hold. “See? She doesn’t mind when I do it.”
“She’s my girlfriend,” Fred said dryly, staring at her. “Honestly, are you sure you’re in your twenties? You’re acting like you’re about eight and I’m taking away your favourite teddy bear.”
Mel glared at him. “You’re going to ruin her life if you marry her. I won’t let it happen.”
Fred wrapped his arm around my shoulder and pulled me towards him, and I leant to the left this time. “If I was going to ruin her life, I’ve had ample opportunities over the past thirty years. If anything, I will be making her life exponentially better.”
“You would say that. Your ego is the size of Mount Everest. You couldn’t possibly think you do anything wrong.” She reached over and wrapped her arm around my waist.
Great.
Now I was sandwiched between the two of them.
Even Henry looked confused. “Babe, I know she’s your best friend, but isn’t this a bit much?”
“Treason,” Mel said flatly. “This is the greatest act of treason you could commit against our relationship, Henry.”
He held his hands up. “I’m just saying that marriage takes consent from both parties, you know? Fred is hardly kidnapping her and forcing her to be his wife.” He stopped. “They’re not even engaged yet.”
Yet.
We probably would be in a few hours.
“Thank you,” Fred said, nodding towards Henry gratefully. “It takes two to maintain a relationship, Mel. She’s consenting to this, too.”
Under duress.
I was consenting under duress.
I would have that written on my headstone if it came to it.
“She’s having a bout of temporary insanity,” Mel insisted, snuggling into me.
Well.
Yeah.
That, too.
I blinked at the painting on the far wall. “Will you two please let me go?”
“No,” they both said at the same time.
“I can’t let you marry this egomaniac.” Mel squeezed me, and I groaned at the pressure on my stomach. “Even if it means we will be sisters.”
“Then we won’t bother inviting you to the wedding,” Fred said, pulling me as close to him as he could. “I’ll have you removed from the premises so you can’t make any objections.”
“Why, you—”
“Okay, all right, that’s enough,” I said, wriggling until they both loosened their holds on me.
They didn’t let go, though.
No.
That would be too simple.
“Mel, Fred and Henry are right. And that might be the only time I ever say those words aloud, so enjoy it,” I added, glancing at Henry’s smirking face. “I am a willing participant in this relationship, and if we get married, it’ll be because both of us have made that decision. Besides, it’s actually the safest option for me. Fred will never mistreat me because he knows I’ll beat the shit out of him if he does.”
Fred nodded solemnly.
“Atta girl,” Nana said chirpily.
Mel’s hold on me loosened until she sat back upright with a little huff. “Fine. I don’t like it, though. But you can’t ban me from the wedding because I’m going to be your bridesmaid.”
“You can’t just decide to be someone’s bridesmaid,” Fred said, scooping me against him now that she’d released me. “It’s her choice, not yours.”
“Deal.” I hurried out the word before they could start arguing again. “You can be my bridesmaid.”
Mel clapped her hands together.
At least she was happy now.
“And, Fred.” I shifted so I was looking up at him. “You cannot monopolise me just because we’re in a relationship. Even if I ever become your wife, you can’t just keep me to yourself.”