Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 111400 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 557(@200wpm)___ 446(@250wpm)___ 371(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 111400 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 557(@200wpm)___ 446(@250wpm)___ 371(@300wpm)
“No idea. But this is such a small town, and he’s so well-known, being a police officer and all, I feel like there would be rumors if he was sleeping around. I’ve never heard a thing. I think he’s too gentlemanly.”
“Well, we know he’s still capable,” Blair said with a grin. “At least judging by the bulge in his khakis.”
Groaning, I squeezed my eyes shut. “Stop. You know, for a moment, I actually thought he was going to kiss me.”
“Maybe he was. He’s obviously attracted to you, Cheyenne.”
“I don’t know,” I said dubiously. “I mean, why would he want me? He could have anyone.”
Blair crunched loudly on a chip. “Not even going to dignify that with a response.”
We took the snacks and drinks into the den, where we’d already set up the facial mask and mani-pedi stations, and cued up Grease, which I’d gotten permission to show Mariah. While the opening credits played, we covered our faces with a DIY mask made from banana, orange juice and honey. While singing along to “Summer Loving,” I painted Mariah’s toes. While she returned the favor by polishing the fingernails on my right hand, I sipped wine and commiserated with Sandy as she crooned “Hopelessly Devoted to You.” When “Hand Jive” came on, Blair and I both jumped up and danced along.
“Jeez, how many times have you guys seen this?” asked Mariah incredulously.
“A lot,” I said, laughing and out of breath. “It’s addictive. You’ll see.”
By the end of the movie, the snacks were gone, the wine bottle was empty, and Mariah was yawning.
“I’ll walk you home in a minute, okay?” I told her. “See if you can find your flip-flops. They might be under the couch.”
“Okay.”
Blair gave her a hug. “See you soon, sweetie.”
I walked Blair to the front door. “Thanks for coming over.”
“Of course! Thank you for hosting my wild and crazy bachelorette night.” Laughing, she dug her keys from her purse. “Think the guys are still at the pub?”
“Probably. It’s only eleven.”
Blair rolled her eyes. “I know, but those four are like a bunch of old ladies. They talk a big game, but their guys’ nights usually wrap up long before midnight.”
I laughed. “Are Moretti and Beckett bringing dates to the wedding?” In addition to Cole, those were Griffin’s other two closest friends and groomsmen.
“Not that I know of. And if they are, they better tell me, because the wedding is only two weeks away and I have to finalize the seating chart.” She shrugged. “But it’s kind of hard, you know? Unless you’re already dating someone, you can’t really bring them to an out-of-town wedding, especially if you’re in the wedding party.”
“Right.” Griffin and Blair were getting married up at Cloverleigh Farms, which was about three hours north of Bellamy Creek.
“But there will be some single girls there. Maybe one of them will find their soul mate.” She poked my shoulder. “Or maybe you will.”
I sighed. “I’d settle for someone to dance with.”
“Someone with broad shoulders, piercing blue eyes, and a nice big dick?”
“Shhhh!” I glanced behind me, worried Mariah might have wandered out of the den.
“You’ll get that dance, because you’re the maid of honor and he’s the best man. Wedding party dance.”
“That’s not the same as being asked to dance, Blair.”
“So ask him.”
“I can’t do that!”
She rolled her eyes. “Yes, you can, Chey. One of these days you’re just going to have to be brave and tell him how you feel. Either that or pine for him the rest of your life.”
“At least I’d keep my dignity.”
“Maybe, but your dignity isn’t going to keep you warm at night, is it?” Rising up on her toes, she gave me a hug. “I’ll see you Thursday, but I’m sure we’ll talk before then.”
“Okay.” Thursday was Thanksgiving, and my mom and I were hosting dinner at our house. It would be small—just Griffin and Blair, Cole and Mariah and Mrs. Mitchell, my mom and me—but I was looking forward to the long weekend and cooking a big, traditional meal. I loved to cook. “‘Night. Drive safe.”
“‘Night.”
I watched Blair hurry through the chilly dark and jump behind the wheel of her car, then gave her a wave as she pulled away from the curb and headed down the street. She and Griffin were so lucky they’d found each other. They had such a great story—stubbornly single mechanic falls for beautiful woman stranded in his small town. It was straight out of a movie.
And I felt lucky too, that she and I got along so well. Neither of us had a sister—I only had one brother and Blair was an only child—so it was fun to finally experience that kind of close relationship. I’d been moved to tears when she’d asked me to be her maid of honor.
After her taillights disappeared, I returned to the den, where Mariah had found her flip-flops and was zipping up her hoodie. “Ready to go?” I asked.