Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 73963 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 370(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73963 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 370(@200wpm)___ 296(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
“And that’s both good and bad for the locals,” Noah replies with a shrug. “For many people, it’s driven the property taxes so high they can’t afford to live here.”
“And yet, it’s also provided a lot of jobs and opportunities that weren’t here before,” I add. “It’s a catch-22.”
“Either way, I love to ski on it,” Sebastian replies. “And I’d like to take you all out for dinner, if you’re free.”
“I am,” Noah says with a grin.
“Unfortunately for you, but fortunate for me because I’m a lucky bastard, I’d best get home to Grace. She’s been with the baby all day, every day. Now that the season is winding down, I need to be home more.”
“I need to head home, too,” Brad says. “But thanks for the offer. I’ll see you tomorrow, guys.”
“Christian?”
“I’m getting married tomorrow,” he reminds us. “If I don’t go home to help Jenna, she might murder me in my sleep.”
“What about you, Max?”
I start to answer, but before I can, everything goes black.
Chapter Nineteen
~Willa~
“YOU GOT SO LUCKY,” I say, looking up at Jenna. I’m squatting in front of her, pinning the hemline of her wedding dress. “I can’t believe it’s just the hem that needs to be done. Otherwise, it fits like a glove.”
We’re in my shop, in the back room that I have set up for private fittings and parties. Sometimes, girls like to shop privately, and I’m more than happy to accommodate them. So, I have a beautiful, antique, three-way mirror with a pedestal set up in the middle of the space, and chairs in the corners.
“It’s so beautiful,” Jenna breathes. It’s just the two of us on this Friday afternoon, fussing over her dress. “And I can’t believe how much Max and Nina are doing to help get ready. Did you know he commissioned Brooke to take over as the planner?”
“Yes, he told me last night,” I mutter around the pins between my lips. “He’s excited for you.”
“It’s so fun. And exactly what I wanted. I know that Christian’s fans are hoping for a big spread in a magazine, but we’re private people.”
“And it’s none of their damn business,” I reply, moving to the other side of her. “I have news.”
“What’s that?”
“Max asked me to marry him.”
The hem is yanked out of my hands as Jenna spins around and pulls me to my feet, hugging me with all her might.
“Holy shit! Oh my God, Willa! You’re going to be my sister for real.”
I hold on tight, pure joy surging through my body.
“Why didn’t you call me when he asked?”
“We were having sex at the time,” I say with a laugh.
“Um, we need to change your proposal story. That can’t go in People magazine.” She leans back to look me in the eyes. “I’m so happy for you. So, so happy.”
“I’m happy for both of us. Who would have thought?”
She turns with her arm around my shoulders, and we look at our reflections in the mirror. Jenna in her amazing off-the-shoulder, white wedding dress, and me in my deep purple winter dress. Her fair features, and my dark.
We’re yin and yang.
And the closest of friends.
“Who would have thought, indeed,” she says with a grin and glances at my hand. “No ring?”
“It was spontaneous,” I say with a shrug. “And you know he’ll pick something up for me sooner or later.”
“I can’t wait to see it,” she says with a grin. “It’s going to be ridiculously amazing.”
“I hope he doesn’t spend what I paid for my house.”
“Don’t be silly,” she scoffs. “It’ll be way more than that.”
I choke on a laugh and have to take a swig of water. “What am I getting myself into?”
“The ride of your life, my friend. Now, I feel so much better seeing the dress on. Thank God it ran true to size.”
“I won’t have to outsource the hemming,” I reply. “I can do it myself. It’ll only take about an hour.”
“That long for a hem?”
“It’s not just the outskirt, it’s all of the layers underneath, as well. And you want those layers because they’ll keep you warm out there in the boonies.”
“Oh, let me show you the wrap I bought,” she says, gathering the skirt and walking to a bag on the chair in the corner. “It’s going to be warm and beautiful.”
“Oh, Jenna,” I breathe, taking the white, faux fur wrap from her and rubbing it reverently. “This is stunning. And so soft.”
I wrap it around her shoulders and step back, grinning.
“You look like a fairy princess,” I say, getting choked up. “And Christian is going to lose his shit when he sees you.”
“That’s the plan,” she says with a laugh. “Are we finished pinning?”
“Yep, I have it marked. You can put your clothes back on.” I tug the zipper down in back so she can easily step out of it, and she hurries into the changing room, pulls the curtain closed, and quickly changes into her jeans and sweater.