Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 92062 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 460(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 92062 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 460(@200wpm)___ 368(@250wpm)___ 307(@300wpm)
“Have I mentioned that you’re the worst?” She tilts her head to the side, not waiting for me to answer her before she walks up her driveway and to her front door.
“More times than I care to remember,” I mumble, following her up to the front door where she pushes it open. The sound of people talking echoes all through the house. Kids are running up the stairs that lead to the basement and then toward the kitchen. A couple run past us and quickly say hi.
As we get closer to the kitchen, the sound of plates clinking together becomes louder. “Oh, she’s here.” I stop behind Elizabeth as Denise comes toward her. “We were worried about you. We kept trying to call you and it went straight to voicemail. You didn’t charge your phone.”
“I forgot,” she admits, “and you obviously weren’t that worried about me, you didn’t even blow up his phone.” She points over her shoulder at me.
“I tried to take good care of her, Denise,” I say, walking past her. “Don’t ask me how I did it, it was hard.” I kiss her cheek. “Smells good.”
“The caterers just got here,” she states, and I look at the massive island they have in their kitchen that is now filled with serving plates.
“Just got here?” Elizabeth questions. “People are eating.”
“Well, they were hungry.” She throws up her hands. “Anyway, the older generation is in that room.” She points over her shoulder to the formal living room they only use on holidays, such as Christmas or birthdays. “The wedding party”—she smiles at us–“is through there. Grab a plate and get on in there.”
“Mom,” Elizabeth says, “how’s the hotel doing?”
“Oh, good news,” she starts, “they were able to have a whole floor dried out overnight, so it can have some guests check in.”
“So, I can have my room back?” Her voice is hopeful, but the look on Denise’s face shows she is, in fact, not getting her room back.
“This is incredible,” she mumbles as she walks away from her.
“She’ll be okay,” I assure Denise. “Just don’t expect her to come back and visit for a few years. Closer to five, but not more than ten.”
“Great,” she says as she looks at Elizabeth, who is now scowling at her father who has taken her in his arms. Her arms are to the side like they are limp. “Just great.”
I shake my head and start toward the food, grabbing a plate and filling it with scrambled eggs, bacon, and sausage. Leaving room for pancakes on the side, I walk into the room where the bridal party is assembling and see Joshua sitting at the head of the table with Macy beside him. Two chairs are empty on his right side, so I walk up and pull out the chair. “Hey.”
“The best man has arrived,” he announces, slapping my shoulder and then squeezing it. “He lives.” I look over at him and he smirks.
“With the way Elizabeth was, it was a toss-up if she was going to slaughter you in your sleep or not.”
I chuckle at him. “I did sleep with one eye open, just in case. But she made me bring her bag on the off chance her room was free.” I grab the fork and cut the pancake.
“Incoming,” he warns, looking up and I feel the chair beside me being pulled out. “Hey,” he says to her, “you look nice.”
“I know,” she answers, making me burst out laughing. “You don’t, you look like shit.”
“He was up all night, icing his foot,” Macy defends from beside him and puts her arm around his shoulders, then uses her other hand to hold his cheek. “You look handsome.” She smiles at him.
“I’m about to throw up and I haven’t eaten anything,” Elizabeth deadpans, “he didn’t even offer to feed me.” She points to me and I gasp.
“I made you coffee and then he called to invite us over here,” I defend myself and she just shrugs.
“Let’s just say he’s not the friendliest host.” She side-eyes me and it’s my turn to glare at her. “He even made me wear a robe.”
“Bastard,” Joshua says. “Be better,” he scolds and then we eat in silence.
“Okay,” Macy says, clicking her fork on her cup, “if we can have everyone at the table’s attention.” I sit back in my chair and look up at her. “Before we start, we just want to thank everyone for being part of our special day.” She looks at each of us and smiles. “I am so lucky that in nine days, I’ll be marrying the love of my life.” She bends to kiss Joshua, who just beams up at her. “We know some of you have come from far and wide to be here with us.” She looks at Elizabeth. “And even though things are not going like they should be…” Her voice trails off and I see her bottom lip quiver. Joshua gets to his feet and then winces when he remembers about his foot. He whispers something in her ear, and she smiles at him. “With that said”—she turns and reaches into her bag beside her and takes out a manila folder—“we have the final itinerary.” She jumps up and down with giddiness.