Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 72586 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 363(@200wpm)___ 290(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72586 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 363(@200wpm)___ 290(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
“Eight. I’m hurt that you haven’t been counting. And frankly, I don’t care what a lot of people would call us. I only care what you think about us.”
“Well, I’m not the person to ask. I’m the one who was already falling for you back in Ireland. That’s why it hurt so bad when—”
“Shh,” he said, silencing me with a tender kiss. “I’m sorry I hurt you, Em. Believe me when I say I’ll never do it again. Unless you ask. In the form of spanking, or something equally sexy.”
I swatted at him as the corners of my lips curved upward. “I believe you,” I said. “Finally… it feels like I’m able to trust. I know things might not go how I want. They might not work out perfectly, but I can’t think of anything I’d rather do than ride this thing and see where it goes.”
“Not to ruin the moment… but did I just hear you say you wanted to ride me? Because that can be arranged. Only I think we should find somewhere more private.”
“James,” I said, laughing softly. “I’m being serious.”
“I know,” he said. His fingertip traced my lower lip, eyes lowered so I could admire his long lashes. “Oh, there was something I meant to ask you.”
“Anything,” I whispered.
“Do you know if Emma Marshall gives discounts on wedding planning to her boyfriends?”
My heart stopped. "James..."
"Not right now," he said quickly. "But someday. When we're ready." He pressed his forehead to mine. "I just want you to know that's where I see this going. You and me, building something real together."
I pulled him down for a kiss. "I love you," I whispered, “even though you’ve made a career out of destroying exactly what I try to build.”
He laughed. "For a noble cause. I feel like that should be mentioned in your little jab.”
"Once you’re done making it up to me, I’ll stop teasing you about it.”
"Hmm,” he said, voice so deep it vibrated through his chest to mine. “I’ve enjoyed making it up to you quite a bit, Em. I can’t promise I’ll be done any time soon.”
I smiled up at him, my heart so full it hurt. "Good."
31
EPILOGUE - EMMA
One Year Later
"No, absolutely not." I stared at the PowerPoint slide James had added to my consultation deck. "We are not calling it 'Wreck-Prevention Services.'"
"Why not?" James lounged in his chair, looking unfairly good in a charcoal sweater that made his eyes pop. "It's accurate."
"It's terrible marketing." I changed it back to my original title: 'Relationship Readiness Consulting.' "We're trying to help couples, not terrify them."
"Fine." He pulled me into his lap, nuzzling my neck. "But I still think my tagline was better."
"'Let us wreck your relationship before someone else does' is not better."
"It's memorable!"
"We’re hoping we don’t have to wreck any relationships. The goal is helping them work through their issues and getting them to the finish line." But I was laughing as I said it. "We're also supposed to be preparing for this consultation."
"We are prepared." His hands slid under my shirt. "The March wedding is completely handled, the May couple just needs final details, and this new couple isn't here for another hour."
"James..."
"Besides," he murmured against my skin, "I seem to remember someone promising me a reward if I behaved at dinner with her parents last night."
"You call that behaving? You told my dad the story about my towel falling off when we did that couple’s spa day after the wedding.”
"He thought it was hilarious! And your mom couldn't stop laughing about the tiny tacos. She said they’re planning a trip back here to Colorado just to experience them."
I turned to face him, straddling his lap. "They do like you, you know. Even after everything."
His expression softened. "Yeah?"
"Yeah." I kissed him softly. "Turns out they're suckers for reformed wedding wreckers."
Especially since James had helped save Lily's business from the Wellingtons. Richard and Dick had tried one last power play at the reception, threatening to expose Marcus's role in hiding their financial troubles unless Lily agreed to certain "partnerships."
James shut that down fast, pointing out that any scandal would hurt the Wellingtons far more than it would hurt Marcus and Lily. Especially since Marcus had come clean on his own.
These days, Marcus ran his own investment firm—one that specialized in helping small businesses expand sustainably. Lily's franchise plans were moving forward, but on her terms. They'd just opened their third Pawsh Pets location, with Marcus handling the business side while Lily maintained her hands-on approach with the animals.
"Speaking of reformed..." James said. "Have you seen the latest about your old friends?"
I followed his gaze to a magazine on my desk. The cover showed Dick Wellington's latest scandal—something involving three Playboy bunnies and a stolen yacht.
"Poor Charity had to cancel her Paris fashion week debut," I said, not feeling particularly sorry. Last I heard, she'd been cut off after Richard discovered she'd been adding to the family debt for the past few years, driving them even deeper into desperation.