Total pages in book: 118
Estimated words: 120838 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 604(@200wpm)___ 483(@250wpm)___ 403(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 120838 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 604(@200wpm)___ 483(@250wpm)___ 403(@300wpm)
Rix stared at me again.
Then he boomed with laughter.
Davina joined him.
Dair smirked, then chuckled.
It was so loud, everyone turned to look.
“God!” I cried then set my drink down and pushed at Rix’s shoulder. “Go. Get your wife.” I pointed at Dair. “You go find their car. It’ll be the longest, fanciest one. No ‘just married’ or any of that kind of thing. The driver will know his destination and he should be hanging around, waiting. Have him pull up to the exit. I’m going to find the bouquet.”
With that, I stormed off, leaving them all still chortling behind me.
On my way, I gave the DJ the high sign to get everyone gathered where they were supposed to be. I also gave a few more signs, specifically to Gal, Katie, Chloe, Dru, Mika, Genny, Nora, Elsa, Hailey and Mags, who were in charge of making sure everyone had the biodegradable confetti, it being biodegradable because the cones it was in were and the actual confetti was freeze-dried rose petals.
I knew exactly where the bouquet was (chilling in the industrial refrigerator in the caterer’s kitchen).
I fetched it, thinking I couldn’t wait to get my shoes off.
Normally, I could run like Carrie in SatC in heels. But I’d been in these shoes for hours, dashing around like a crazy woman, and I couldn’t wait to switch them out to flip-flops.
But I sallied forth, heading back to the pergola to see people forming as they should.
I just had time to get into position, Dru shoved a cone in my hand, while Rix and Alex ran through a hail of rose petals and the DJ played Bad Company’s “Feel Like Makin’ Love” (another Rix choice, obviously).
I tossed my petals and shoved the bouquet in my sister’s hand as she passed me (at her decree, it was white and pale green roses, some little pink flowers, mingled with some succulents you could replant and keep).
And I watched her dash hand in hand with her husband to the door of the limousine that was being held open by the chauffeur.
That’s when the tears came.
This time, though, I couldn’t keep them at bay.
Alex had picked so perfectly with her dress. It had sheer, fluttery short sleeves, subtle hints of pretty lace and a beautiful back and front vee (the back lower), her shoulder blades covered with that sheer material and lace. The skirt was full but not big, falling gracefully to her feet, a delicate second tier floating around, and a thin belt that tied at a rosette on the side of her waist.
It was feminine. Romantic. Dreamy.
It wasn’t her, because Alex wasn’t that type of girl. She was no-nonsense.
And it was totally her, because she loved Rix with everything she had, and she wanted him to know it in every way she could.
Especially today.
Marrying him.
While carrying his baby.
She looked so completely happy.
I was so proud of her.
I was so happy for her.
I felt the tears fall as me and all of the other singletons were shoved to the front at Gal and Katie’s command.
The chauffeur was rounding the car to get in the front seat.
Rix had hold of the door and was waiting.
Alex turned and looked me dead in the eye.
And she didn’t even bother with pretense, subtlety or misdirection of aim.
Overarm, she winged that bouquet right at me.
It hit me with a thud in my chest, petals flying. My hands automatically came up to catch it. Everyone around me laughed and cheered.
As for me, I studiously avoided looking around to find Dair to see his reaction to what had just happened.
Alex blew me a kiss then turned to Dad, who was close and waiting, so she could throw her arms around him for a hug.
More hugs were given out as Gare and Mags (both Rix’s parents) were also hanging close.
Everyone shouted good wishes and raunchy advice (that last was Gage, but also Davina).
Rix eventually fell into the car with his arm around Alex’s waist, tugging her in with him.
Their legs disappeared.
Her skirt disappeared.
Dad slammed the door and thumped on the hood.
The driver took off.
Some people (the drunker ones) raced after them.
But I stood there, holding my sister’s bouquet and weeping.
Until I saw her face in the back window.
She was again looking at me, a massive smile on her pretty face.
She waved.
I returned her blowing of the kiss and waved back.
And I kept doing it until they were out of sight.
Chapter 5
“Two, right?”
Dair
* * *
Dair opened his eyes to bright sunlight and confusion as to what was crushing him.
He saw gleaming black hair, some of it eschewed from the pins that had held it up, and creamy skin over a bare shoulder.
And he smiled.
Blake was passed out on top of him.
To say the woman got pissed out of her skull after her sister left was a vast understatement.