Total pages in book: 174
Estimated words: 172061 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 860(@200wpm)___ 688(@250wpm)___ 574(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 172061 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 860(@200wpm)___ 688(@250wpm)___ 574(@300wpm)
She tacked a whole lot of suggestion onto that then added a dramatic wink.
Super subtle, that one.
“That is after we fix this.” She rested the box on the back of the couch and made a big circle around me with her finger.
I shifted on my bare feet. Glancing down at the tank and scroungy lounge pants I’d worn to bed, though I was pretty sure what I was actually wearing was the proof of the way things had gotten handsy between me and Cash last night.
His touch imprinted over every inch of me.
My hair a mess, and my body still trembling.
Speaking of Cash, where was he?
Anxiety flicking through my nerves, I peered around the room for any sign of him. I was worried whatever plans these ladies had were about to be thrown out the window since I doubted Cash had any intention of heading to the altar today.
“Um, I don’t think—”
“The plan is to gather up these little sweetie pies and take them to my place so everyone else can help get you ready,” Piper said. Then she edged toward me, dropping her voice. “You don’t need to worry. Theo and a guard will be there the entire time.”
“Oh, I…”
God, I couldn’t even finish a whole sentence.
“I don’t think I need any help getting ready,” I finally managed. “It’s not a big—”
The sharp gasp ripping from Raven cut me off. “Please tell me you weren’t getting ready to say it’s not a big deal, because this is most definitely a really big deal. Um, hello, wedding day. And who else is going to help you get into this if you don’t have your besties to help you?”
She shook the big box.
I frowned at it.
“A gift,” she said with a lift of her brows. “From your fiancé.”
“What?” Confusion wound through me while my stupid insides took flight.
Emery stepped forward. “He called me super early and asked if he could go into Ivy Threads and pick something special for you. Which I just so happened to have something extra special that our very own Piper here designed. Cash walked directly to it, obviously, since it’s the most gorgeous dress we have in the store. It’s not exactly a traditional wedding dress, but I think it’s perfect.” Emery brushed her fingers over the backside of Piper’s arm in a show of admiration.
Redness splashed Piper’s cheeks. “I hope you like it.”
“He also had us help him pick out some cute outfits for the kids,” Emery added.
I stood there stunned. Cash picked out a dress for me? Picked out clothes for my children? I thought for sure the plan had been demolished last night.
That it was too painful for him to even entertain.
That what I had asked of him had become too much.
Charleigh laughed a disbelieving sound. “I don’t think there’s any worry in that. It’s stunning. Cash is going to lose his mind when he sees you in it.”
My nerves rattled. Apprehension and this buzz of excitement that I knew better than to allow to invade.
This was fake.
Fake.
Fake.
Fake.
I silently chanted it to try to keep my fantasies from galloping away and becoming a life of their own. From turning this fiction into fact.
“Cash only asked that you open this alone first before we ‘descend on her with whatever torture you plan on inflicting’.” She made the grumpiest, growliest voice that she could, her head rocking back and forth as she parroted him. “As if us coming in here to help you get ready for the most important day of your life is torture. More like Best. Day. Ever.”
“And we brought mimosas.” Glass bottles clanked as Charleigh lifted her bag.
“I…”
“Go on, take this and we’ll get the kids ready to go.”
Piper gestured to Raven, who stepped forward and placed the large white box in my hands. A pink ribbon was wrapped around it, the bow adorned with fresh white and pink flowers that matched.
It was so pretty I almost hated to open it, but honestly, I couldn’t wait to see what was hidden inside.
A hum of anticipation whirring through my spirit as I pictured that gruff man in Emery’s boutique picking it out for me.
Gulping, I accepted the package. “Thank you.”
“Oh, I don’t think you need to thank me,” Raven said with a smirk. “You can thank Cash later.”
“It’s not like that,” I tried to reiterate.
She laughed a tinkling sound. “Oh, my sweet, dear, innocent Daisy. Cash demanded all of us meet him at the store at six o’clock this morning to help him pick out a wedding dress for you.”
“And shoes!” Emery lifted another bag, then she hiked up the one in her other hand and lowered her voice conspiratorially. “We took it upon ourselves to pick out the sexy bits. That way it’s a surprise for him.”
“Uh…um…” I stammered again.
Raven angled her pretty head. “This is our resident recluse who doesn’t attend family events until I’m threatening physical harm. And he actually gave us the green light to come here this morning. To actually go into his house. A place we’ve been forbidden to step foot into, a rule I had to adhere to in fear of stepping into some sort of booby trap.”