Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 103431 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 517(@200wpm)___ 414(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103431 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 517(@200wpm)___ 414(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
Damn, who knew weddings were so lethal? It’s a paper-thin excuse, because let’s be real, I’m so fucking gone for this woman it’s unreal. I’d do anything for her, because somehow, in what feels like both an eternity and barely any time at all, she’s become my everything.
She bites her lip and shrugs. “I hope so.”
I'm about to tell her I'll work every damn day to prove to her it can be. But the DJ announces it's time to send the happy couple off.
“That's our cue,” Scarlet murmurs. “We’re officially on baby duty.”
Kid’s already blocking me and we haven’t even left the venue, I think, putting a mental pin in this topic to revisit it later because as wild and sudden as it seems, I absolutely see myself wanting to spend the rest of my life with her.
Here's to hoping she feels the same.
“So, how hard do you think this will be?” Scarlet asks as we gather along the stepping stone path to see the happy couple out.
“What?” I ask, knowing I was only halfway paying attention.
She raises a brow as she pops the lid on her bubbles, dipping the wand into the liquid. “Nora saying goodbye to James.”
“Oh,” I snort, doing the same. Scarlet originally suggested sparklers, but Nora was worried about James getting burned and instead opted for bubbles “What's harder than hard?”
She giggles. “I wonder if I'll be like that if I'm a mom.”
“When?” The thought of her with her belly rounded pops into my mind unbidden. There's not a single part of me that hates it...
She laughs again, but this time it's cautious... guarded. “Not when... if.”
“I'm good with when,” I say with a roguish grin. “Just so you know.”
Her eyes flare wider than the fine China plates our dinner was served on. “We are not discussing procreating at our best friends' wedding.”
“Seems like as good a time as any,” I fire back, winking to let her know I'm only joking. “But seriously, maybe we should talk about this. One day...”
“One day,” she agrees, craning forward when the music starts. “Oh, here they come!”
We all watch on as the happy couple and James make their way down the pathway through a myriad of iridescent bubbles. There's a pep in their steps, their smiles brighter than the moon as they make their way toward us.
Not gonna lie, happiness looks good on them, and even though their path to it was crooked and hard, I know they're better for it. Stronger. They have the kind of love others can only hope to have one day.
“Congrats, man,” I say when they stop in front of us. “Happy for y'all.”
Atlas grips my hand and draws me into a hug. “Appreciate it, man.”
“You want to come to me or Ellis?” Scarlet asks.
To no one's surprise, James says, “Scar!” as he makes grabby hands at her.
She reaches to take him from Nora, but she steps back, twisting out of reach. “Not so fast,” she says, cuddling her squirmy toddler to her chest. “Mama's not ready.”
“Mama!” James yells, smacking his hands against her cheeks before leaning in for what is undoubtedly a sticky kiss. “Wub ooh.”
“I love you, too, sweet boy.” She peppers kisses all over his face. “I'm gonna miss you so, so much.”
“We will send lots of pics and video chat every day,” Scarlet promises.
“Maybe we should...” Nora starts, only for Atlas to shut her down. “Absolutely not. We're going on our honeymoon. James will be loved, spoiled, and well cared for with Ellis and Scarlet.”
My girl preens. “That might be the nicest thing you've ever said to me.”
“Way to set the bar low, Scarlet.” Swear, if it wasn’t his wedding day, I’d pop him in the mouth for being such a dick to her.
She shrugs. “I figure we're still in the baby steps stage of our friendship, yeah?”
“Probably too soon to even call it a friendship,” Atlas says, his face devoid of any real emotion.
Scarlet shrinks. “Right. Well, regardless, we're working on it, and I promise your little man will be so very loved while y'all are sipping soda poolside.”
My best friend stares down the love of my life like he's trying to see into her soul. It's a shame he can't, because if he could, he'd know just how genuine and good Scarlet is. “Thanks.”
“Okay, Pip. We've gotta get on the road.”
“Do we?” she asks, her big hazel eyes filling with tears.
Atlas nods. “We do, and you know it.”
“Everything's going to be great, Nora. You know I won't let anything happen.”
Nora sighs and passes James to Atlas before tugging Scarlet into a bone-crushing hug. “I know you won't, Scar. You love James like he’s your own.”
“I do.” She gives a sharp nod. “And like I said, I'll send lots of pictures and you can call any time.”
“Thank you,” Nora breathes out the words before releasing Scarlet and squaring her shoulders. “Okay. I can do this. I'm good. Promise.”