Total pages in book: 118
Estimated words: 119184 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 596(@200wpm)___ 477(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119184 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 596(@200wpm)___ 477(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
Tell no one.
“I love you,” she says through her tears. “I’m just surprised. I didn’t think you’d ask again so soon.”
“What’s the point in waiting? When you know, you know, and I knew before our engagement ever ended.”
She winces. “It never should have.”
“It’s better this way. You know why I kept the ring?”
I have to wait to answer when Queenie returns, joining our excitement with a flash of leaping black fur. I’m damn glad she’s as old as she is.
I catch her about a second before she lands on Lena’s head.
But we’re laughing like crazy, the dog adding her frenzied yips to our chaos.
When Queenie finally lies down to catch her breath, we stare at the ring in the gorgeous light. The way it sparkles on her hand. Traditional, elegant, and unmistakably Lena.
“Tell me now. Why did you keep it?”
“Because it’s you,” I tell her. She smiles. “Because I love how it looks, and I love when it’s the only thing you’re wearing, more than anything in the world.”
“It’s kinda perfect, I’ll admit.” She holds out her hand, and I kiss it like the lovesick freak I am.
“Just like you, Miss Joly. Next step, Mrs. Pruitt.” I claim her lips again.
My fiancée. My final destination.
Finally, my wife for real.
XXVII
Hotdoggin’
(Lena)
Months Later
It’s jaw dropping, how fast things move when you have money.
There’s no need to have a marriage fund, especially not when Brady’s parents insisted on shouldering the cost of our very scaled-down wedding.
Brady didn’t want to accept. After growing up under their thumb all his life, he wanted to be independent, and I can’t blame him.
It’s a nice sentiment. But I understood the gesture too. The apology in the gift.
So that’s why I let them splash bills on my wedding dress.
Probably one of the fairest compromises I’ve ever made.
Six months ago, Brady asked me to marry him for real. Six months ago, I accepted.
Now we’re here.
Decked out on a massive rented yacht that gives our big day the perfect fairy-tale touch.
I know Kerrigan Pruitt, my soon-to-be mother-in-law, had this whole extravagant wedding day visualized down to the hour. The social event of the season. The year.
After everything that went down, she thought we’d want to give the world a glimpse of a happily-ever-after it tried to deny us.
But really, Brady and I just agreed to the yacht wedding to get away from the noise, the cameras, and the prying eyes.
Still, Seattle feels like it’s a universe away out here. The San Juan Islands are beautiful in the spring, and the day couldn’t have dawned more beautifully with clear skies and calm waters.
“Hold still, no fussing!” Gran slaps my hands away as I reach up to fiddle with the fancy hairdo she insisted on giving me.
Elle giggles from her corner perch, where she’s curled up on the large sofa beside my bed.
It’s hysterical to her, because she went through this with her wedding to August.
“I’m just checking, jeez. The wind will ruin my hair the second I go outside, anyway,” I say.
We might have the best kind of day for an outdoor wedding on the ocean, but we’re still on a boat. The wind is a given, and these pretty brunette curls draped down my neck will be the first casualties.
“Never underestimate the power of pins,” the old woman whispers through a mouthful of them.
I glance at Mom, who flashes me a giant thumbs-up. Honestly, she might be the happiest one here today, awestruck ever since she came aboard the ship.
Then I look through the window, trying to see more of the preparations.
Every woman in my wedding party banded together to keep me inside all morning.
I planned this wedding, but I don’t have a clue if everything’s in order.
If the seats are set up.
If Queenie has her special ring bearer collar on without trying to wrestle out of it.
If Brady’s suit is uncreased.
Now that will be a miracle.
“Almost there! Just a few more seconds.” Gran pushes a final pin in the back of my head.
“Hope your hubby likes puzzles! Brady will have a crazy time getting them out.” Elle laughs again.
“What good’s a wedding without a little suspense?” Gran snickers knowingly. “It’s a joy to keep a man waiting every now and again.”
My face heats.
I smooth my hand down my dress. Wildly extravagant isn’t my style, no, and this is the most basic sleek white gown Kerrigan Pruitt would let me get away with on her designer budget.
Basic or not, I still feel like a princess. I mean, as long as I don’t think about the price tag.
. . . I’m really not going to get used to being rich.
Spending five outrageous figures on a wedding dress feels obscene. Doesn’t matter if it’s pocket change for a billionaire family.
I could have bought a nice new car instead.
But I also know the usual rules don’t apply in this world, and this is Kerrigan and Alec’s apology note. Their acceptance and a welcome gift, bringing me into the family.