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 gave me a look like it would be ludicrous to think otherwise.
“And based on the way you look properly loved up this morning, I’m thinking it’s definitely like that,” Charleigh rushed beneath her breath, making sure that the kids were out of earshot.
Properly?
If only.
Because damn it, how badly I’d wanted to actually feel him completely.
Not that the orgasm hadn’t been out of this world.
Extraordinary.
But when it came to Cash, I wanted…
I trailed off, refusing to give credence to that foolish train of thought.
“Go on,” Piper urged. “We’ll get your littles situated.”
Gratitude filled me to overflowing. My heart feeling like it would explode or cave or a combo of the two. All I knew was I felt unstable. As if everything were shifting. Everything I knew taking new shape.
Slowly, I turned and shuffled back to Cash’s room to the sweet call of Piper shouting at the kids, “All right, everyone grab a change of clothes and your toothbrushes. Everyone is going over to The Sanctuary to hang with Uncle Theo until it’s time for the wedding, then you get to go back for your sleepover!”
A discordant crash of yays and stamping feet banged against the walls while I fumbled into the bedroom and clicked the door shut behind me.
In the dim light, my mood instantly changed. My stomach curled and twined into knots as I stared at the box.
Wishing that everything was different. Wishing that Cash and I hadn’t been given this lot. That he wasn’t broken, and I wasn’t afraid.
That I was dressing for a wedding like the one I imagined in the secret times as a teenager. So shy and insecure yet feeling fully seen by the boy who had helped to pull me out of my sorrow and showed me it was okay to stand in the light. Those foolish dreams right then seemed so bittersweet.
Exhaling a heavy breath, I forced myself over to the bed and set down the box. My fingers trembled as I released the bow. The pink satin fell away, and I fumbled to get the lid off.
The garment inside was wrapped in pink tissue paper, and an envelope sat on top.
My stomach twisted and my heart sped as I saw my name printed on the front. Written in that masculine, blocked font that I would recognize anywhere.
Daisy.
He’d drawn a bunch of those little daisies he used to draw around it. Tenderness panged at my insides.
How could a man who confessed to what he had last night be so thoughtful? Draw me flowers and pick out a dress?
I picked up the envelope, turned it over to loosen the flap, then pulled out the card.
I flipped it open to that same masculine font, my entire being quaking as I began to read.
Daisy,
My beautiful Wallflower. I can’t believe I get the honor of seeing you today in this dress. I know it doesn’t represent what it should, and maybe I’m only being selfish that I want to see you like this.
The most gorgeous woman wrapped in the most gorgeous dress.
Maybe I want to pretend for a little while that I’m right for you. Pretend for a little while that this is real. Pretend that I get to keep you.
I wish it was true.
But it will be my honor to stand beside you this afternoon and take the oath you’re asking me to.
An oath to protect you and those kids.
With all of me.
With all my heart.
With this life.
Guess my life has always belonged to you.
And with it, I will set this one thing right, I promise you.
Forever,
Cash
Tears blurred my eyes, my chest squeezing so fiercely as I set the letter aside and pushed back the folded layers of the tissue paper to reveal the dress.
A soft gasp wisped free, and a tear slipped down my cheek as I let my fingertips flutter over the cream-colored fabric. Fabric that was covered in the most intricate beads.
My limbs shook so badly I was worried I might drop it as I pulled it out and held it up to inspect it.
My gaze drifted over the stunning, fitted cut. It looked like it would go a couple of inches past my knees. Bare straps and a plunging neckline, a slit riding high up the side.
More of a formal party dress, and just like Charleigh had suggested, it was the most gorgeous thing I’d ever seen.
I couldn’t believe I would be wearing it today.
That I would stand in front of Cash Cunningham and become his wife. I turned toward the full-length mirror in the corner and held the dress up against me. Picturing myself standing in front of Cash wearing it.
Spindly spines of sorrow cracked through my insides. God, how much I wished it was real, too.
But it didn’t matter the plan or the purpose, that’s what it was to me.
Real.
Because I knew, without a doubt, the love I had for Cash was the truest thing I’d ever felt.