Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 75891 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 304(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75891 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 379(@200wpm)___ 304(@250wpm)___ 253(@300wpm)
I don’t think she’s worn a mini skirt in ages, and things only seem to have gotten worse since she had the baby. If my dress was sackcloth, then hers was a gunny sack. “Hello pot, meet kettle.” I rolled my eyes at her and rushed to wash my hands so I could hog the baby.
I ignored their questioning looks and focused all of my attention on the cute little bundle until they started teasing me about wedding bells and diapers. “Where do you people get these ideas from? Who says anything about getting married? I’m just playing with him until I get bored.”
My face turned bright red, and I tried to hide it in the baby’s neck while they both burst out laughing. The knowing look that passed between them made the hairs on my nape stand up. My eyes fell on the magazines on the table in front of them, and my heart filled with suspicion. “What were you two doing before I came in?”
They didn’t even have the decency to look ashamed when I pinned them with a threatening look. Instead, she lifted the bridal magazine, opened to a behemoth of a gown that looked like something out of an old European castle. “Which little princess is getting married?”
I asked, though I had a sneaky suspicion just who it was. “Why are you looking at wedding dresses for me?” I started backing away from the table with the baby still clutched in my arms like a shield. “Don’t get nervous, love. We know how you feel about such things, so we’ll handle it for you.”
“What’re you talking about? Handle what for me?” Another knowing look passed between them, and then Mom’s phone rang. It was a video call, and Mrs. Blair was on the other end. From the sounds of it, these crazy women were planning mine and Julius’ wedding.
My mouth opened and closed, but there were no words. Then I heard his mom say he wanted it done in no less than three months, and my head began to spin. What the hell is going on? Did anybody ask me?
I stood there rooted to the spot as my own mother sold me out. “Come and sit down, hon.” She offered once she hung up the phone, and I walked towards her like one of my earlier robot prototypes. Slow and uncertain of the world around me. Has everyone gone mad?
“There’s no need to panic; we’ve all been waiting for this day.”
“All? Who, what day?” If Mom even hints that she knew how I felt about Julius all these years, I’m moving out of state and changing my name. My traitor of a sister just nodded her head with an indulgent smile on her face as she patted the seat between them.
I could smell Julius’ influence all over this shit. Just what the hell has he been up to in the short time since I left him? No, this looked too well thought out to be a shot in the pan kind of operation. I have to watch myself with these people, or I’d be married with six kids before I know what hit me.
“Your father and I are very pleased with your choice.” Mom ran her hand over my hair as she used to when I was a kid, seeking comfort. “No, no…” I looked for an escape route, and my heart started racing sickeningly in my chest at her words.
“Mom…” What was it that I wanted to say? I couldn’t remember. This was moving too fast even for them. How come they never pushed me to get married when I was with Dale? I’d spent a couple of nights at Julius’ place, and they were already giving me away. What the hell is so different?
“I know, sweetheart. I’ve always known.” It was the look in her eyes more than her words that made me want to bolt. How could she know? “Does Dad…?” I couldn’t bring myself to say the words around the lump in my throat. She nodded and stroked my hair with a smile. I, on the other hand, felt like I had fallen down the rabbit hole.
I felt exposed, like I needed to hide, so I plopped the baby back in my sister’s arms and made a run for it, back out the door with the two of them calling after me.
JULIUS
I rushed home like a bat out of hell after getting the call. I left a shit ton of work on my desk, but it didn’t matter. Her Mom said she’d looked spooked when she ran, and if the tracker hadn’t shown that she’d headed back to my place, I might’ve lost it. I warned them not to show their hands too soon, but I guess there was no point in crying over spilled milk.