Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 94279 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 471(@200wpm)___ 377(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94279 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 471(@200wpm)___ 377(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
Lucas rolled his eyes.
“There’s a comic book store around the corner,” Olivia said. “They just had a big Seinen mural painted. You want to go see it?”
“Hell yeah.”
Olivia looked to me.
“It’s fine with me, if it’s okay with Wilder.”
Wilder shrugged. “Go for it.”
I wagged a finger at my niece. “Just be back in twenty minutes. We’re going to eat soon.”
“Alright.”
The two of them rushed out the door, and I shook my head. “Well, that was a quick bonding moment.”
“He’s super into that Japanese art stuff. A little too into it. He was grounded for a month after he spray-painted the side of an abandoned building in London. He and his buddies used it as their canvas.”
“Oh, that’s not good.”
“I would never let him hear me say it, but the art was pretty kick-ass. It was an improvement to the crumbling old building. Obviously he shouldn’t have done it, though.”
I nodded. “You want some wine?”
“Definitely.”
I took down two glasses and poured while Wilder looked around. “Your place is nice. It fits you.”
I passed him a glass. “I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing.”
He looked over at a small crystal chandelier I’d hung in the kitchen. “It’s girly, but not over the top. Sophisticated, but curious. Makes me want to look around a little more.”
I chuckled and leaned my hip against the counter, sipping my wine. “So is Lucas why you aren’t out celebrating the big announcement today?”
Wilder’s brows pulled together. “I am celebrating.”
“I meant celebrating somewhere good.”
“This is exactly where I want to be.”
“You just became the owner of a professional team you’ve worked two years to obtain, and you want to be at a fourth-floor walk-up?”
“I guess I misspoke. If I had my choice, we’d be out celebrating somewhere you didn’t have to cook. But I’m with exactly who I want to be with.”
I tried to ignore the warmth that spread through my chest, which had nothing to do with the wine in my hand. “So what happens next with the team?”
“A lot.” Wilder took a deep breath. “And fast. I’m flying to Spain tomorrow morning and Sweden the next day. We’ve been in negotiations with a few players, and first priority is getting them signed.”
“That sounds exciting. I’ve never left the United States.”
“Really?”
I nodded. “The next wedding is in London. I can’t wait.”
“I’m going to be busy for the next few weeks. But why don’t you come in a few days early so I can show you around?”
“That’s sweet of you to offer. Can I … think about it?”
Wilder’s eyes dropped to my lips. “Full disclosure. I’m not being sweet. I want to spend time with you.”
I felt my face grow warm, so I cooled myself with a sip of wine. “Did you see the photos from the wedding last weekend?”
He shook his head. “I’ve been busy.”
I smiled. “There’s one of you that’s hysterical. Let me grab my laptop. It’s in my bedroom. Be right back.”
“You sure you don’t want help carrying it? I could join you?”
I chuckled. “Make yourself comfortable. Actually, not too comfortable.”
I went down the hall to my bedroom. When I came back, Wilder was seated on one of the stools that was usually tucked under the island counter. He pointed his eyes to a business card sitting on top. “You work on Saturdays, too?”
I peered over to see what he was talking about. It was an appointment card for Fifth Avenue Bridal at 9 a.m. tomorrow. “Oh, that.” I shook my head. “No. That’s personal, not magazine-related. I made an appointment to sell my wedding dress.”
“Huh. Guess I never thought about what you do with the stuff if the wedding doesn’t happen.”
“I should have gotten rid of it by now. I’m never going to wear it. But I’m pretty attached to it. I bought it almost a decade ago.”
“I thought you were only dating the guy a few years?”
I smiled. “I was. I bought it before we met. I saw it in a magazine. Bride magazine, oddly enough. It was long before I even worked there. I’d had this picture in my head of what my wedding would look like since I was a little kid, dress and all. One day I was flipping through a magazine at the doctor’s office, and there it was—my dream dress. So I figured out who had it in stock and went to see it in person. I was only seventeen. I hadn’t even planned on trying it on. But I wound up cashing in the savings bonds I’d had since I was born and buying it.”
Wilder looked a little scared, which made me laugh. I pointed to his face. “I really wish we’d gone on a date, so I could’ve told you that story at dinner. You look terrified. I bet you would have bolted before dessert.” I shrugged. “Anyway, as long as I’m letting my crazy out, I might as well let it all hang out. The appointment tomorrow is my third one. I’ve tried to sell it twice before.”