Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 53034 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 265(@200wpm)___ 212(@250wpm)___ 177(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53034 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 265(@200wpm)___ 212(@250wpm)___ 177(@300wpm)
Vancouver scores and I yell at the TV. I’ve always rooted for my dad’s teams, but now that I’ve gotten to know his players better—especially one in particular—I’m fully invested in every game.
Lucien: Our outies should meet. Want to get lunch and watch our show?
I smile as I read the text. I’d love to say yes, but I can’t.
“This color will be fabulous on you,” Suki’s friend Mara says, holding up a sleeveless blue dress on a hanger.
“Okay, I’ll try it on,” I say as I type out a reply.
Talia: I’m shopping with Suki and Mara. Then we’re getting manicures and going to a sushi place. Raincheck?
Three dots appear on my screen as he replies.
Lucien: Definitely. Have fun.
“Nothing says living your best life like red, though,” Suki says, holding another dress up.
Carter’s wife texted me this morning and asked if I wanted to join her and her friend for the day. My dad practically begged me to go, shoving his credit card into my bag and shooing me out the door. I was groggy after a late night of watching two episodes of our show while texting Lucien about it, but after an iced coffee, I’m wide awake and having a great time.
“I don’t know if I can do this,” I say, sighing.
“What, find a dress?” Mara asks. “We’ve got you, girl.”
“No, the wedding. I don’t want to go. Why should I force myself to go just because I care what they think? It’s not just one afternoon, it’s three full days. Trapped on an island with them.”
Suki pauses from scanning the dress racks at the Nordstrom we’re at, looking at me.
“You don’t have to go. I couldn’t smile through that bullshit.”
Mara hums her disapproval. “I’d spend my last dollar getting my hair and nails done and show up there with the hottest man I could find. I wouldn’t stop smiling once the entire three days. Does that make me petty?”
“Well, along with every other thought you’ve ever had, yes,” Suki says, returning to the rack.
I like them both a lot. From the time they picked me up from my dad’s house, they’ve treated me like a longtime friend. When Mara said she needed to go dress shopping, I told her I did, too, and when I told them why, they were blown away.
“Okay, hear me out.” Mara holds up a short, strapless ivory dress. “You get your tan on and wear this little number.”
Suki grins her agreement. “Yes, girl. I mean, not just the fuck you I’m wearing white part, but the dress itself. That fabric is delicious.”
“Delicious on a Kardashian, but I can’t pull that off,” I say.
Mara pulls her brows together. “Of course you can. Your boobs will look amazing. At least try it on.”
“How much is it?”
“I’ll buy it for you,” Suki says, waving a hand.
She’s so freaking sweet. I give her an appreciative look. “No, my dad said to spend as much as I want. I was just looking for an excuse to wear a tarp instead.”
Mara barks out a laugh. “Text your dad right now and ask him to adopt me.” She comes over and holds the dress up to me.
Suki inhales sharply. “Yes. It’s divine.”
“I don’t even know if I’m going,” I protest.
Mara arches a brow. “If you don’t, you’ll have a fabulous dress in your closet for another time.”
“I’m thinking strappy gold shoes,” Suki says. “Are you going solo or with a date?”
I sigh softly. “Solo.”
Mara shakes her head. “No, you’re not. You need an emotional support fuckboy. I’ll ask Leo which of his teammates is single and we’ll tell you which one is the most tolerable.”
“He has to be hot, too, though,” Suki says.
“True.”
I pick up a flowered, floor-length dress, holding it up. “What about—”
“No.” Mara vetoes it after a glance, then looks back to Suki. “Crawford?”
Suki wrinkles her nose. “Well, he’s single ...” She considers. “What about Lucien?”
Mara lights up. “Yes. He’s a good guy, right?”
“Carter’s never said anything bad about him. And he’s free during the break.”
The wedding is during the pro hockey all-star break in February. Kyle knew when they set the date that he wouldn’t be a contender for the all-star team.
“I can’t believe they snubbed Lucien,” I say. “He should have made the team.”
Mara gives me a mischievous smile. “So comfort him. Ride him so hard you can’t walk straight at the wedding.”
My cheeks heat as I try to laugh the idea off. “I hardly even know him. And I’m sure he already has plans for the break.”
“Ask him,” Suki says.
I shake my head. “You guys, I don’t know if I’m even going.”
“Okay, forget about that for now and try these on,” Mara says.
I figured I should go up a dress size since my casual clothes fit tighter these days. Mara and Suki both have lean, perfect bodies. But I don’t want to be a baby, so I go into a fitting room and put on the red dress.