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)
“Help out by getting yourself where you are supposed to be,” she hisses at me and I raise my eyebrows, walking over to the spot where all the bridesmaids are. They consist of all of Macy’s friends, and I think I was given the duty because she had to and not because she wanted to. I smile at the group of ladies who I’ve spent time with, but that was only because we were at all the events together.
“This is so exciting,” one of them chirps and I smile, holding my purse in my hand and then look over to see Evie sitting with my uncle Max, who has his arm around her.
“I’ll be back,” I tell them, rushing over to the two of them and handing her my purse.
“You know what would be fun?” I ask, handing her my purse and then kissing my uncle. “If you would take my place.”
“Are you crazy?” She tries not to laugh. “I think I’m good here with my favorite uncle.”
“I heard that,” Matthew interjects from behind her and she looks over her shoulder and smiles at him.
“I didn’t finish. I was saying my favorite uncle who is wearing blue. You’re my favorite uncle who is wearing black.”
“Good catch,” I tell her and then I hear someone call my name. “Save me,” I beg before heading back over. The woman with the headset, whose name is Doreen, gives us a rundown on what we are going to do.
“Any questions?” she asks us and I think about fucking with her and asking her a question, but Macy looks like she’s either going to throw up or cry at any minute.
The rehearsal takes over an hour as they make tweaks on who walks down the aisle when. After it’s over, the back of the room is opened and we see tables are set for our meal.
“Hey.” I look over at Nate, who has come from beside Joshua toward me. “That was fun, right?”
“So much fun I forgot where I was for a minute.” I look around. “I wish I had my phone to play a couple rounds of Candy Crush.” He shakes his head as we walk toward one of the tables. He points to a table on the side that has Jack and Evie sitting with my cousin Ariella and her fiancé, Jaxon.
“Oh my goodness,” she shouts. When she sees me getting close, she gets up, comes over to me, and we share a long hug. “I’m so happy to see you,” Ariella whispers and then I close my eyes. “I feel like I haven’t seen you in five years.”
“It’s been a bit under,” I counter. “I saw you two years ago when I came for the summer and you were visiting.” I let her go. “And now you have a baby.”
“Now I have a baby.” She smiles at Jaxon, who gets up and comes over to me. “This is Jaxon.”
“I think we’ve met,” I say as I give him a side hug and kiss his cheek. “He came to one of the summer vacations, for sure.”
“I did,” he confirms, then looks over to my side and holds out his hand to Nate. “What’s up?” he asks. “I haven’t seen you in forever.” They shake hands and give each other a side hug. “You look good, man.”
“Feel good,” Nate says, his hand going again to my lower back.
“If everyone can grab a seat so we can start the meal,” Doreen announces as we walk over to the table. Nate pulls out the chair for me. I smile up at him as I sit down, and he pulls out the chair beside me.
“What is up with you two?” Jack looks at us as he sits with his arm around Evie’s chair.
“What do you mean?” I ask him as Ariella sits beside me, and Jaxon sits in the empty chair between her and Jack.
“I mean, neither of you tried to kill each other and we’ve been here a solid hour, plus he just smiled at you.” My palms get sweaty as I think of an excuse to make as to why this is happening. I don’t even have time to come up with one because Nate is the one talking.
“We decided we’re calling a truce.” I laugh nervously at his excuse.
“Yes.” I nod my head and swallow. “During the snowstorm, being stuck with him for a day and a half. We decided for Joshua and Macy”—I look at my brother—“that we would be civil to each other for the wedding.” I look at Nate who grins, certain parts of me get flutters while other parts of me tingle, one part of me defiantly gets wet. “A truce.”
CHAPTER 28
Nate
O HOLY NIGHT
I thought we were going to be slick and get away with no one noticing we weren’t at each other’s throats. I was at least hopeful they would be too busy with the wedding to notice a shift in how we were acting toward each other. I was so wrong. I seemed to be wrong a lot these days. Like when I thought it was a good idea to kiss her in the bathroom. Then the good idea to sleep with her one more time. Then over and over again.