Total pages in book: 126
Estimated words: 116231 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 581(@200wpm)___ 465(@250wpm)___ 387(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 116231 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 581(@200wpm)___ 465(@250wpm)___ 387(@300wpm)
“That’s what I said,” I say, taking her in in her own black dress. “This is—”
“Do you have your speech ready?” Kirby asks me and I shake my head.
“I’m not doing a speech,” I tell him, and he raises his eyebrows. “Don’t give me that look, Lexi can do it.”
“We are going to do it together,” Lexi informs me. “Now, where do we get some champagne?” she asks. “There is a lot to celebrate tonight.”
As if the server was waiting for her to arrive, he walks out of the swinging door to the side with a tray and three glasses. I take a glass and then wait for them to take theirs. “To tonight,” I toast, holding up my glass, “and many more.” I smile at both of them, clinking their glasses before downing my whole glass.
“I don’t know how you did it.” I look at Lexi. “it was one of the most stressful weeks I’ve had in my life..” She laughs at me and the door behind her opens and her parents, Zoe and Viktor, walk in.
I smile at them as they look around and Lexi walks to them. “She’s amazing,” Kirby declares from beside me, and I couldn’t agree more.
“We are sitting at table one?” I ask him and he nods his head. “I’m going to go put my purse down,” I tell him, walking over to the table and placing my purse down in front of one of the plates.
When I look back at the door, it feels like fifty people arrived at the same time. “Kylie,” I hear my name being called by Lexi, who is standing at the front of the room greeting people, “get over here.” I smile and walk to her but stop along the way to say hello to her parents, who have welcomed me with open arms. Truth be told, they probably like me more than they do Kirby, well, at least Viktor does. When he went to ask for her hand in marriage, he actually said no, which Kirby didn’t really take seriously. Even though her father kept reminding him that he never said yes every time someone congratulated them on their engagement.
“You look amazing.” He kisses my cheek. “Are you dating anyone?” He looks around. “If you are, he and I are going to have a few words.”
I smile at him and look down, trying not to blush. “I am not dating anyone,” I answer him, my head adding, I did fuck someone last week in his SUV though. “I will say,” I tell him, “after spending two weeks with you guys and seeing how you treat your women, the guy has big shoes to fill. I have high standards now.”
“No one is going to be good enough for you,” he declares, and I don’t think I’ve ever been touched by words before as much as I am right now. “Remember that.”
“Stop talking.” Zoe slaps his stomach. “You are going to make her all teary-eyed and she has to pose for pictures.”
“I’ll stop, but…” He holds up his hand and reaches for mine and squeezes it, “just wanted you to know.”
“Thank you, Viktor,” I tell him and swallow down the lump in my throat. “No one has ever said that to me before.”
His eyes show the shock he must feel, but he doesn’t make me feel like I’ve missed out, he just smiles. “Go pose for your pictures.” He motions toward the front of the venue.
I kiss his cheek before walking away from him and looking down, blinking away the tears. I stand with Lexi as we welcome everyone to the event, and I’m trying my best to remain calm, but the nerves in my stomach are making it hard to even breathe at this point.
“I’ll be right back,” Lexi says, walking to her uncle, Kirby following her, and I am about to tell him to get back here when the door opens and Knox steps in.
His eyes land on mine before I can make a run for it and rush away from the door. “Hey,” he says, looking around, “this is—” He nods.
“Yeah,” I sigh, putting my hand on my stomach. The flutters are for a whole different reason now that I see him standing here, wearing a black suit that looks like it was made for him. Chances are it was, but whatever. “It’s—”
“You okay?” he asks me, and I shake my head. I have no idea why I’m actually telling him the truth. Everyone has asked me how I’m doing tonight, and I’ve lied to each and every one of them. “What’s wrong?”
I look over at him, my voice going lower to make sure no one else but him can hear. “I’m just nervous.” I fight the way my nose stings and my eyes get so dry they burn. “This is a big deal, and I don’t want to let Lexi down.”