Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 77120 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 308(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77120 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 308(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
Well…
Stephen is gorgeous, and his hands worked magic on my body.
But he doesn’t make my pulse race like Henry does.
I’m not looking for anything serious anyway. Medical school is difficult enough without having to juggle a relationship in the mix.
Stephen is simply a date. A plus-one.
A gorgeous plus-one, but only a plus-one.
The staffers inside the house will let Stephen in when he gets here. I feel like I should go around to the front to wait for him, but I’m also Angie’s bridesmaid. I need to be here in the back.
The wedding rehearsal itself went well. Amazing how at tomorrow this time, Angie and Jason will be married.
This yard will be set up in a completely different way, with dozens more tables and a much fancier meal.
I’m wearing a golden-colored sundress that flows halfway down my calves. On my feet are strappy gold sandals.
I’m wearing my hair up tonight so that I don’t get too hot with it flowing over my shoulders.
I find myself staring at Henry, and then I force myself to look away.
He’s talking to his mom, who looks beautiful as well. She’s wearing leggings and a tunic. Her dark hair is swept up in a high ponytail.
Hard to believe she’s over fifty. She doesn’t look a day over thirty-five.
Angie sure is lucky. Look at those amazing genes.
The server offers me a flute of champagne, and I take it, thanking him and handing him my empty water glass.
I take a sip, and when I look up, Stephen is walking out the French doors and back onto the deck. I hurry up to meet him.
“Hey, glad you’re here,” I say.
His eyes are wide. “Wow. So it’s true what they say about Steel parties.”
“Apparently,” I tell him. “And from what I’ve heard, this is nothing compared to what the wedding will be tomorrow.”
“Wow,” he says again.
“Come on,” I say, “I want you to meet Angie.”
Angie and Sage are with Jason, so I lead Stephen to meet them.
“Hey, guys,” I say, “sorry to interrupt, but I want you to meet Stephen Webster.”
Angie beams. “Hi, Stephen. Gina was telling us how great your hands are.” She wiggles her eyebrows.
“And now she can see the rest of you is just as magnificent,” Sage says with a giggle.
Stephen doesn’t blush at all. “Thank you. You’re very kind.” He turns to Angie. “Congratulations on your wedding.”
Jason holds out his hand. “Hi, I’m Jason Lansing. The groom.”
Stephen takes his hand. “Nice to meet you.”
“You’re a massage therapist?” Jason asks.
“Yes. I’ve only been working here in Snow Creek for a couple of weeks. Thank you for letting me come to your rehearsal dinner.”
“It’s our pleasure,” Angie says. “I kept telling Tabitha she could bring someone. I’m glad she did.”
“We just met,” I say, “but it’s nice not to be the only stag person here.”
“You’re not the only one,” Angie says. “Henry’s not here with anyone.”
I glance over at Henry, who’s still talking to his mom.
If only I were Henry’s date instead of Stephen’s.
“Sage and Gina are single too,” Angie says.
“Oh?” I raise my eyebrows. “I thought everyone had dates.”
“I decided I’d rather come alone than ask someone,” Sage says, eyeing Stephen. “After all, you never know who you’ll meet at a wedding.”
“Me too,” Gina agrees. “Since neither of us are seeing anyone, we decided to stag it.”
Stephen gives them both a dazzling smile.
“Let’s get you some champagne,” I say to Stephen.
“Oh, no, thank you,” Stephen says. “I don’t drink.”
I stop my eyebrows from flying off my forehead.
“Oh,” Angie says. “We’ll get you a soda or something, then.”
“Actually, just water is fine,” Stephen says.
“Come on,” I say to Stephen. “Let’s go to the bar and get your water.”
The bar is set up on the deck. Stephen and I approach the bartender. “What can I get you?” he asks.
I hold up my champagne flute. “I’m good, but do you have any water?”
“Still or sparkling?” he asks.
I look to Stephen.
“Still is great, thank you.”
The bartender hands him a glass of water, and Stephen takes a long sip of it.
“So you don’t drink,” I say.
“Nope. And I’m not a recovering alcoholic or anything, I just gave it up after college. I decided to do a total detox. I went off booze, weed—which I was doing way too much of—and nicotine. I try not to eat refined sugar either.”
I blink. “Are you vegan as well?”
He chuckles. “No, not at all. But I try to only eat whole organic foods.”
“That’s good. I’d hate for you to miss out on the famous Steel beef.”
“To be honest,” he says, “don’t tell anyone here, but I had some at one of the restaurants in town, and I don’t really taste any difference.”
I let out a chuckle. “I don’t either. I guess neither of us are meat experts.”
“I’m good with that,” he says.
“Truthfully? So am I.”
I take his hand and lead him back out into the yard.