Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 100713 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 504(@200wpm)___ 403(@250wpm)___ 336(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100713 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 504(@200wpm)___ 403(@250wpm)___ 336(@300wpm)
The set of my jaw grew even tighter, the furrow between my brows even deeper as I yanked my tie loose and started over again.
Fifteen minutes later, I knocked on my dad’s bedroom door. “Dad, you ready? I need to go. I’m running a little behind.”
“I’m ready.” He opened the door, looking dapper in dress pants and a sport coat, his white hair neatly combed.
I sniffed, the inside of my nostrils burning. “Wow. You put on some cologne, huh?”
“This is a fancy occasion,” he said, adjusting his coat by the lapels. “And there could be some single women there. I need to look my best.”
Any other day, I’d have smiled. “You look good. I’m going to back the car out of the garage, okay? Maddie should be down in a minute.”
“I’m ready,” said a voice behind me.
I turned and felt the wind knocked out of me. She stood in the great room, lit by the sun pouring in through the massive windows. She wore a long blue dress that bared her shoulders, and her dark hair was piled on top of her head with just a few strands escaping to frame her face. From across the room her jade green eyes looked large and luminous, her lashes thick and black. Her sensuous mouth was painted a soft shade of pink, and I had a crazy urge to vault over the back of the couch between us and drop to my knees at her feet. Tell her I was an idiot. Beg her to forgive me. To love me. To stay.
But I couldn’t move. I couldn’t speak. Frankly, I wasn’t even sure I could breathe.
She tore her eyes from mine and looked at my dad, giving him the smile she hadn’t offered me. “Well, look at you. Aren’t you handsome?”
“Thank you,” he said, strutting into the great room. “Bought this coat in ninety-one and it still fits.”
Maddie laughed. “Some things were made to last.”
“I was just about to back the car out,” I said stupidly.
She looked at me again. “Okay. You look nice too.”
“Thanks. So do you.” It was not nearly the compliment she deserved, but my head was a fucking mess. “I’ll meet you out front.”
She nodded. “I’ll say goodbye to Elliott. He’s on the back patio with Daisy and your sister.”
When she turned toward the sliding patio doors, I saw the back of her dress—what there was of it. Two straps crossed between her shoulder blades, revealing enough skin to make my mouth water.
Unable to stop staring, I stumbled at the edge of the rug on my way to the kitchen.
This was going to be a long night.
When we arrived at Cole’s, a valet attendant took my keys, and we made our way up the front walk. My dad had taken Maddie’s arm before I could, and I walked behind them like a chastised toddler or a pissed-off third wheel. Hot and aggravated, I wiped my forehead, which felt sticky.
Cole’s mom opened the front door and welcomed us inside the house, which was blessedly cool from the air-conditioning. “The ladies are upstairs,” she told Maddie, “and I have instructions to send you right up. The gentlemen are having a drink on the patio.”
“That sounds good,” said my father, offering Mrs. Mitchell his arm. “Shall we?”
Laughing, she tucked her hand in his elbow. “We shall.”
Annoyed that my cantankerous old man was more charming than me, I watched Maddie go up the stairs without a glance back at me and followed my father and Mrs. Mitchell to the patio.
The yard looked incredible—the tables were covered with white linen, fancy place settings, and centerpieces; a wooden dance floor and DJ table had been set up at one end of the tent; flowers decorated the rows of chairs on either side of the aisle. On the flagstone patio, a bar had been set up, and my friends were standing around one of several high-top tables nearby. Griffin was pouring shots from a bottle of whiskey.
Moretti looked up as I approached. “Good, we’re all here.”
“Sorry I’m late,” I said. “I couldn’t get my fucking tie right.”
“Everything okay?” Cole asked.
“Fine,” I said shortly.
“Okay then, here we go.” Griffin pushed a full shot glass toward each of us.
Moretti grabbed his and raised it up. “To Cole and Cheyenne. May they have a long and happy life together.”
Cole laughed. “What, no Italian for me?”
“You guys told me that was selfish last time,” Moretti said defensively. “I was trying to show my growth as a human being.”
“I like the Italian toast,” Cole said. “Let’s hear it.”
Moretti raised his glass again. “Beviamo alla nostra. To us.”
“To us,” Griffin repeated. “And fuck the Mavs.”
We all lifted our glasses and tossed back the whiskey. I grimaced as it burned its way down my throat, then pushed my glass toward Griffin. “I think I need another.”