Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 107965 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 540(@200wpm)___ 432(@250wpm)___ 360(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107965 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 540(@200wpm)___ 432(@250wpm)___ 360(@300wpm)
“I’m suddenly having second thoughts about going.” He groaned. “Kidding, but not really kidding.”
“There’s still time to turn around.” I pulled on his bow tie. “I didn’t think you could get any hotter, and then you showed up in this tux. You’re nothing if not versatile.”
His hand, still on my thigh, rose a bit higher.
“Fuck,” he muttered. “Red, you look so damn beautiful.”
Then I looked down and noticed the bulge in his pants. My nipples immediately reacted.
He forced his hand away. “I need to stop touching you before everyone in that church gets an eyeful.”
I squirmed in my seat, willing myself to calm down.
By the time we arrived at the church, fashionably late, the wedding party was lining up inside the entryway, preparing for the procession.
As Brock and I zipped past them hand in hand, I couldn’t help but notice Ilona’s reaction. My former friend, dressed in her designer bridal gown, had a look of true surprise on her face. Many of the bridesmaids were also my former friends. The whispers behind us faded into the distance as we walked down the aisle together in search of a seat. I somehow knew they were all eating their hearts out right now, which brought me great satisfaction. Imagine if they also knew how wonderful this man was on the inside.
We made our way to one of the pews on the groom’s side of the church. Technically, I could’ve chosen either side. That was the twisted advantage, I supposed, when your ex-husband married your ex-best friend.
Even better than the bridal party noticing us? When I saw my ex-husband’s eyes land on Brock and me—particularly on Brock. I gave Johnathan a curt nod. Brock had no idea what pride I felt having him by my side. My ex nodded back, likely trying hard to figure this out.
Good.
Brock whispered in my ear, “That’s your ex, I assume?”
“Yeah. That’s Johnathan.”
“He looks easy to snap in half if he ever makes you sad again.”
I patted his knee. “Hopefully that won’t be necessary.”
When Ilona came down the aisle, a chill ran along my spine. Brock leaned over and whispered in my ear again, “She’s got nothing on you, Red. He’s crazy.”
Later, as the priest spoke, Brock kept nudging me with his elbow, sarcastically challenging some of the points in the sermon.
Surrendering control to God and trusting in His plan.
“Thank goodness God’s plan was not to have you end up with that douche,” he whispered.
Exploring mutual love and respect in marriage...
“These two know a lot about respect, don’t they?”
Two being better than one.
“That’s your ex’s motto anyway. She’d better watch her friends around him.”
Forgiving each other just as God forgives.
“God might forgive. But karma? Karma’s a bitch, and she remembers.”
I shook with laughter throughout the ceremony. What I’d assumed would be one of the toughest hours of my life turned into anything but. I couldn’t stop smiling.
When the ceremony ended, everyone lined up to greet the bride and groom near the entrance of the church.
When we finally got our turn with the happy couple, my ex put on his best fake smile. “February, so happy you could make it.” He turned to Brock. “Who’s this?”
I held my hand out toward my handsome date. “This is Brock Hawkins.”
“Her boyfriend,” Brock added.
Butterflies swarmed in my stomach. Even if that declaration was just for show, it made me weak in the knees.
Johnathan tilted his head. “How…nice. You never mentioned him, February. How did you guys meet?”
I froze for a moment, realizing I hadn’t planned for this. I didn’t want to admit where I’d been when Brock and I met—neither at the bar nor Sierra. Not that there was anything to be ashamed of, but my reasons for being in Meadowbrook were none of their business. Johnathan and Ilona might misinterpret it to mean I’d had a nervous breakdown because of them. That’s how self-centered they were.
Brock seemed to sense my hesitation and quickly stepped in. “February was sightseeing up in the woods of Maine where I live. She got a little lost trying to find one of our local establishments, so I stopped to help. We got to talking, and honestly, the rest was history.”
That was simple enough, and if you thought about it, it could even be considered true. I had been lost when I’d met Brock. Just not literally.
“Well, doesn’t that sound like a Hallmark movie?” Ilona chimed in. “I suppose you were wearing a plaid, flannel shirt and drove a big red truck, perhaps with a Christmas tree strapped on the top?”
I narrowed my eyes, unable to tell if that was meant to be funny or insulting for some reason. Everything but the Christmas tree, bitch.
“Don’t forget the ax for chopping wood.” Brock winked, not missing a beat.
“Ah, yes.” She laughed.
After we walked away, I teased, “Thanks for not telling them the actual way we met.”