Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 101168 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 506(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 337(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101168 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 506(@200wpm)___ 405(@250wpm)___ 337(@300wpm)
He wore a navy linen suit that Jamie had never seen before, and he smelled like a dream.
“You look incredible,” Jamie said, palm to his lapel. “Damn.”
Edgar ducked his head and smiled. “I wanted to look nice for you.”
Jamie kissed him, loving the crush of Edgar’s sweet lips beneath theirs.
Inside, they were directed to the rehearsal hall, and Jamie patted their pockets and collar to make sure everything was in place, took a deep breath, and held their hand out to Edgar. When the doors opened, all eyes snapped to Jamie and Edgar. Their parents made a beeline from one end of the room, and Emma did the same from the other.
So much for everyone being too preoccupied with wedding plans to notice them.
“There you are,” Jamie’s mom said.
Jamie had checked their watch a minute ago and knew they weren’t late.
“Mom, this is my boyfriend, Edgar. Edgar Lovejoy, I’d like to introduce you to my mother, Blythe Wendon.”
“So nice to meet you,” Edgar said and held out his hand.
“Lovely to meet you,” Blythe said, giving Edgar a hawkish once-over. “My husband, Hank Dale.”
His parents had a whole bit they did whenever they met anyone new, and Jamie tracked Emma’s approach while the familiar script played out. She looked happy, if a little stressed. Her betrothed stood with a group of guys who looked just as beefy and privileged as he did.
“You’re here,” Emma said as she reached them. She sounded relieved, like maybe she thought they weren’t going to show up.
“This is Edgar,” Jamie said, taking his hand. “Edgar, this is my sister, Emma.”
“Congratulations, Emma,” Edgar said. “Thank you so much for including me.”
Did Edgar google how to greet your significant other’s sibling at her wedding?
Fuck, he’s so cute.
Emma smiled and shot Jamie a look that seemed to say, Surprisingly good choice. Jamie raised an eyebrow to say, I know.
“I could have used you here an hour ago,” Jamie’s mother said resignedly. “We need to practice everyone walking down the aisle.”
Jamie swallowed down everything they wanted to say, plastered a smile on their face, and squeezed Edgar’s hand. Edgar squeezed back.
“No problem,” Jamie bit out. “Will you be okay hanging out here for a bit?” they asked Edgar.
“Yeah.” He slid an envelope from his jacket pocket and took out some crossword puzzles and a pencil. “Cameron’s grandma hooked me up.”
Jamie grinned. They were thrilled that Edgar and Poe were reconnecting with their childhood friend now that she was back in town for the near future. Talking about Antoine with Cameron was healing for them all.
The second they were out of earshot, Emma slid her arm through Jamie’s.
“He’s attractive,” she said accusingly.
“I agree,” Jamie said happily.
“The bathrooms are that way,” Blythe interrupted. “If you need to change.”
Jamie forced themself not to react. “This is what I’m wearing, Mom. Let’s go ahead and rehearse.” They walked toward the front of the room where Dave and the rest of the people were standing.
“Hey, Dave,” Jamie said, giving their future brother-in-law the half wave, half salute that they had never used with another living soul but that burst from them any time they greeted Dave.
“Jamie, my dude!” Dave called and returned the gesture. That was a pleasant surprise.
“God, he’s already drunk. Ignore him,” Emma said.
Someone corralled them into their places, and they practiced walking down the aisle.
“Just promise me you’ll be here on time and dressed appropriately on Saturday,” Blythe said when Jamie sank into the chair next to her.
“No one said anything about a dress code for the rehearsal,” Jamie hissed. “I’m wearing a suit. I’m wearing dress boots. What is not appropriate about this?”
Blythe tsked, as if she couldn’t possibly enumerate all the transgressions.
“And I wasn’t late,” Jamie muttered. “I was right on time. I made sure.”
“Fine, just be here by two at the absolute latest,” she warned.
But that wasn’t what Emma had told him all those months ago. Emma said to be there an hour before. The wedding was at six.
“I thought I had to be here at five,” Jamie said.
Blythe’s eyes flashed with barely concealed fury, and she grabbed Jamie’s arm and marched them into the hallway.
It had always made Jamie feel like they were in trouble. In fact, Jamie had spent the first twenty years of their life feeling like they were in trouble all the time. Now though, Jamie realized their mom couldn’t pilot them the way she once had. She was counting on Jamie to help her make them feel like shit.
So they stopped.
Blythe had always been a few inches taller than Jamie, but now they were the same height.
“What’s going on, Mom?”
“This is your sister’s wedding,” Blythe said.
Jamie waited for the rest of the sentence, but nothing seemed to be forthcoming. “Yup.”
“So you will be here at two on Saturday, dressed appropriately and ready to help out.”