Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 89553 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 448(@200wpm)___ 358(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89553 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 448(@200wpm)___ 358(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
I’ve always known this about Ed. It was one of the reasons why I agreed to go into business with him. I knew I could trust him to tell me the truth. The guy can’t lie. But since the engagement, things have shifted. I can tell that his priorities have changed. He’s always talking about the wedding and what he and Katherine have planned for this and that. I’m happy for the guy. I just liked it when I knew he was one hundred percent in the game. Because I’m totally committed to our business. I have to be. I can’t have another business failure on my balance sheet. I won’t let it happen.
“I hope she doesn’t start talking all things Austen to your parents,” Katherine says to Ed, smoothing her hand up his lapel. “She doesn’t realize that channeling Mrs. Bennet isn’t a good look.”
“What’s she going to say?” Ed asks. “Pride and Prejudice is Jane Austen’s greatest work!”
Maybe I’m drunker than I thought, but I don’t have a clue about what’s going on. Why are we discussing Jane Austen?
The woman with the great breasts, who must definitely be the sister, holds up her palm to Ed to stop him. “I can’t let that one pass. Everyone who hasn’t read the books thinks Pride and Prejudice is Austen’s finest, when it isn’t at all . . .” Ed goes to speak, but Lucy isn’t having any of it. “And no, not even the miniseries starring Colin Firth makes it acceptable not to have read the books.”
Katherine groans at the mention of the miniseries. “Three hundred and twenty-seven minutes.”
“Her making us watch that adaptation as often as we did was bordering on traumatic,” Lucy says. “I hate it. The only reason I’m so good at math is because I’d do calculus in my head while being forced to sit through it. Lizzy Bennet is a gold digger, and Darcy is a pompous idiot. No, Austen’s best book is obviously Persuasion. Captain Wentworth is a devoted hottie.”
“Captain? Did she write about sailing?” I ask.
Lucy rolls her eyes but doesn’t respond. I was only trying to join in the conversation.
She probably hangs out at libraries and has nineteen cats at home. I take a sip of my drink. I didn’t need to participate in this conversation anyway.
“Persuasion is timeless, and Wentworth is a proper alpha. Not a spoiled guy with a stick up his ass,” Lucy says. “It’s clear Wentworth is going to know what to do with Anne when he finally gets her naked.”
I half choke on my drink when Lucy says “naked,” and heat fills my cheeks, like a teenager caught flicking through an underwear catalog.
“‘I have loved none but you,’” Katherine and Lucy say in unison.
I’m totally lost. I glance over at Ed, but he’s smiling at the two women like he’s at a showing of a Hallmark movie. I slide my drink onto the high top table. Maybe I’ve had one too many.
“She’s going to start quoting Austen to the entire party,” Katherine says. “And Ed isn’t Mr. Bingley.” She looks up at Ed. “If you’re only earning four thousand a year, I’m not marrying you.” She and Ed laugh, but I’m totally confused.
I slide my sunglasses to the top of my head and glance over at Lucy. “Who the hell is Mr. Bingley?” I whisper.
She sighs. “The hero’s BFF in Pride and Prejudice, who falls in love with the heroine’s sister. Mom was determined that Katherine should find her Bingley.”
“They sound like side characters. Shouldn’t they be the hero and heroine if everyone is so fixated on them?”
“Impossible!” Lucy says, like I’ve just suggested we throw red ants rather than confetti at the wedding. “Jane and Bingley are perfect. Flawless. Just like Katherine and Ed. Main characters must have flaws, or they’re not interesting enough to sustain a reader’s attention.” She holds my gaze, like she really wants to make sure I understand her. “Anyway, our mother thinks Katherine is the perfect Jane in Pride and Prejudice and Ed, here, is the rich BFF who is going to keep her in the manner to which she would like to become accustomed.”
“She wants Katherine to marry for money?” I ask. “Like, encouraged her to be a gold digger?”
Lucy pauses for a moment. “Jane and Lizzy married for love.” Her tone is resolute. “But their husbands happened to be rich AF.”
“Maybe you’re Mr. Darcy,” Katherine says, grinning at me.
I know I’m missing something, because Lucy gives Katherine a sharp poke in the ribs with her elbow. “Don’t be an asshole.”
“And you said I wasn’t subtle,” Ed mumbles.
We’re interrupted by someone I haven’t been introduced to. Katherine and Ed are swept away by the woman, leaving me with Lucy.
“You’re drunk,” she says.
I shrug. “You’re beautiful.”
She doesn’t respond, just watches as Ed and Katherine cross the lawn.