Total pages in book: 156
Estimated words: 157140 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 786(@200wpm)___ 629(@250wpm)___ 524(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 157140 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 786(@200wpm)___ 629(@250wpm)___ 524(@300wpm)
“I still can’t believe you let her talk me into this.”
“Um, because it’s sweet as pie, Dad. This is—”
“Yeah, yeah. The first place we met,” I finish. “Like I could ever forget.”
It wouldn’t be half-bad if I didn’t have to use the men’s room to suit up. The shop is the perfect size for our small group of family and close friends, sure. It’s also easy to shut out anyone who just wants to gawk at the billionaire and the beauty too.
“You remember your promise, Dess? You agreed to a media blackout. You won’t post anything online until it’s over for twenty-four hours.” I stare at her.
“Oh, yeah! I wouldn’t dream of ruining this.” She gives me one of those teenage grins that seems so grown-up.
I smile back at her. “It’s probably too late to ask, but you’re still okay with this, aren’t you?”
“Dad, stop. If you’re getting cold feet, you’ll have to scrounge up a better excuse than me. And if you walked out on Eliza, I’d probably never talk to you again.”
“Not even a thought.” I hug my daughter. “I’m walking out of here with a wife. I just realized I never checked in with you since the day I proposed. Time flies.”
“It’s a godsend. Someone needs to take care of you when I move away.” She smiles softly. “I’m just glad it’s somebody you actually love. I would’ve had to like rent you a friend or something if Eliza hadn’t shown up.”
“Hell, I’m not that high maintenance, but I appreciate the thought.” She turns to go as I call, “Hey, Dess?”
“Yeah?”
“Have you given any thought to where you’re moving when the time comes?”
Her eyes flare with excitement. “Honolulu! Where else? With my grades, I’ll moonwalk into the U of Hawaii.”
“You’re serious about this marine biology gig, huh?”
“Yeah.” She shuffles her feet and nods. It’s cute how shy she is every time I remember that I’m not the only one who let fate in this past year. “Hey, Dad, one more thing...”
“What?”
“Don’t think you’re getting off this cheap whenever I get married.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it.” My laugh bounces off the walls as she walks out.
A few minutes later, she’s at the door again, tapping lightly and cracking it open. “You need to come! They’re about to get started.”
“On my way.”
With one last look in the mirror, I’m as ready for forever as I’ll ever be.
I march out the door and don’t stop until I’m standing beside the modified front counter that now sits behind an arch of fully bloomed white orchids.
Destiny strolls down the aisle alone in her coffee-tinted satin dress with the dark blue belt.
Lincoln and Dakota Burns are next with their daughter.
Then Mr. Angelo appears with Eliza on his arm and goddamn, she’s so bright I regret not having shades.
She looks like the world’s tastiest three-tiered cake in her strapless white dress with cascading ruffles. Every movement accents her curves through the fabric.
I’m already throbbing at the thought of pulling it off her later.
Lyle Angelo, my future father-in-law, puts her hand in mine, gives me a death glare, and says, “Take good care of her, Lancaster.”
“You have my word,” I say, squeezing his hand firmly before I lock eyes with Eliza.
It hurts how beautiful she is.
All soft eyes and glossy smile.
I see the woman who saved me as much as I saved her, the face of my future, and God, the sexiest woman alive—the one and only—the treasure I’ll cherish hard and often.
With a dumbstruck smile for my wife-to-be, I turn to another familiar face. Katelyn Storm moonlights as an officiant when she isn’t working for me.
She would have skinned me alive if I hadn’t agreed to let her do the ceremony.
“We’re going to begin with a special unity ceremony,” she announces for our little audience.
Destiny leaves her spot as maid of honor, moving to the vials and burr grinder on the other side of us. She picks up the vial of toasted vanilla beans and pours it into the grinder before returning to her place.
Misty Angelo, Eliza’s mother, moves to the unity station next.
She picks up the first vial on Eliza’s side with a tearful smile—cacao beans.
My turn comes next. I walk over and take the peaberry vial, uncapping it and dumping it into the grinder.
Next, Eliza comes over and empties the vial with our standard Sumatra beans.
As soon as it’s in, I crank the grinder slowly with Eliza’s little hand over mine.
With the beans ready, I pass them back to her, watching intently as she sets up a pour over drip on top of a wide-mouthed decorative mug.
Wayne the barista hands her a small goosenecked kettle from behind the counter, already steaming at the perfect temperature.
She brews the coffee quickly and then picks up the mug.
Love grounded me, it says on the side with today’s date under it.