Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 121898 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 609(@200wpm)___ 488(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121898 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 609(@200wpm)___ 488(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
I looked over my shoulder. The sisters were still on their phones and steadfastly ignoring each other, and the furrow in Sylvie’s brow seemed like it was growing by the minute.
“Hey, Jules?”
He turned to me. “Yeah?”
“Order your drinks and send Sylvie up here. I don’t think it’s a good idea for them to be together right now.”
He followed my gaze. “You’re right. Are you going to stay?”
“Nah. I’ll take her home. I’ve only had one pint, so I’ll stop while I’m ahead.” I nodded my head and raised my hand, summoning the bartender, and directing her attention to Julian so he could order.
He got his drinks and went back to the table. I watched as he whispered in Sylvie’s ear, and she got up with nothing more than a nod. She didn’t even glance at her sister as she grabbed her bag and walked away from the table, and I quickly met Julian’s gaze before turning my attention to her.
“My darling future-brother-in-law said you require my presence, Your Grace,” Sylvie said, handing me my coat. “How may I be of service, my lord?”
Her voice was so deadpan in a way that matched her flat expression perfectly, and I couldn’t help but snort at the hit of derision she somehow managed to let glint in her eyes.
“I’m saving you,” I said, grabbing her hand and pulling her away from the crowded bar.
“You’re doing what?”
“Saving you. Free of charge. You don’t even have to use your well-earned slavery minutes for it.” I tugged her through everyone until we reached the door, and we stepped out into the frigid, still night air.
“At least let a girl put her coat on before you pull her out into the North Pole.” Sylvie shoved her bag at me before she quickly donned her outerwear over her knitted dress. “Where do you get off dragging me around like I’m some kind of noble concubine?”
“Like I said, I’m saving you. Also, I can’t take another moment of you and Hazel staring at each other like you’re gearing up for a wrestling match.” I handed her back her bag and put on my own coat before snatching her hand back up. “Let’s go.”
“Go where?” she asked, lagging behind me.
I smirked at her over my shoulder. “To the place that makes you happy. Where else?”
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE – SYLVIE
I really hadn’t known where Thomas was going with his ‘place that makes you happy’ spiel, but I wasn’t expecting it to be the town square where all the lights were twinkling brightly.
The square was bustling. All the stalls from the light switch-on were still entertaining sizable crowds, and even from here, I could see that the high street was as busy as ever.
There was something fun about late night shopping for Christmas.
“Have you finished your Christmas shopping?” Thomas asked, perusing the window the toy store.
“I haven’t really had the time to even start properly. Honestly, I was thinking I’d just sit down tomorrow and get it all on Amazon.” I glanced around. “But being here makes me feel bad.”
He tugged on my hand, slipping his fingers between mine with an almost boyish grin. “Why don’t we do some now?”
No.
That was a terrible idea.
Walking around these Christmas lights with our hands clasped and my heart fluttering was the worst possible decision I could make right now.
“Sure,” was the word that actually left my lips as I stepped up beside him outside of the toy store window.
The truth was that I didn’t want to let of his hand. There was something so strong and warm about the way our fingers fit together, and the occasional brush of his thumb against the back of my hand was more comforting than it had any right to be, even if it was through our gloves.
My fight with Hazel had been a howler. It’d been a culmination of the frustrations of the past few weeks, especially the time since I’d been here, and Thomas had once again saved me from a horribly awkward situation.
I didn’t always fight with my brides, but then again, my brides weren’t always my sister, either.
I was too emotionally involved, and when it came to my sister, my feelings were far too convoluted for me to keep a reasonable distance.
This was the first and last time I would ever organise a wedding for someone so close to me. I didn’t care how much I was paid. Never again would I cross my personal and professional life like this. It really, truly was not worth the stress I felt.
I didn’t even know why I’d gone to the pub. I really shouldn’t have. I should have stayed at home and gone right to bed after my nightmare Zoom call, but something about my room felt so suffocating that I had to get out.
I knew Hazel was there.