Total pages in book: 100
Estimated words: 97079 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97079 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 485(@200wpm)___ 388(@250wpm)___ 324(@300wpm)
“Who the hell wants to get pie in their face?” I spent half an hour perfecting my makeup this morning and setting it so it doesn’t melt off my face in the summer sun.
“It’s all in fun, and so is the paddleboard jousting. The guys will love it.” His smile widens, and he leans in closer. “You didn’t honestly think I would let you take over the entire event, did you, Ess?”
I narrow my eyes as heat travels down my spine. “Are you trying to one-up me?”
His voice is whisper quiet. “I know you’re used to being the center of attention, Ess, and I’m sure it burns your ass to share the limelight. But I’m happy to knock you off a paddleboard later to cool you down.”
I’ve been planning this for months, and he’s pulling stuff out of his ass in the eleventh hour. “I see your competitive edge has finally kicked in.” I pat his chest, shoving my irritation aside while trying not to appreciate how solid he is. “It’s on, Nathan. May the best woman win.” I wink and spin around, walking away before he can get the last word.
CHAPTER 6
ESSIE
Half an hour later, the food is set out and Rix and Tristan’s friends and family start to arrive. My younger sister, Cammie, rolls in with Tally, Fee, and her boyfriend, Chase. He plays hockey for their university team, the Tilton Blaze. It’s hilariously ironic, because until they started dating, Cammie had never even watched a game.
“Oh my gosh! This is so cool!” Cammie hugs me. “Well done, sis. When I get married, you’re planning all the things.”
“You mean when we get married,” Chase says.
“Yes, that’s exactly what I meant.” Cammie pushes up on her toes and kisses him.
“We’re going to have the best time tonight!” Tally steps in to hug me, too.
“I wish I was nineteen,” Fee mutters.
“I promise it’ll still be fun,” I assure her. “Your group are in yurts eighteen and nineteen, and I swear that was just a coincidence.”
“Sure it was.” Tally bumps my shoulder.
“Thank god our parents are staying at the lodge and not here,” Cammie says.
“How far behind you are they?” I ask.
“They left about an hour after us, but we had to stop at Weber’s for burgers, so they should be here soon.”
Flip appears out of nowhere. “Talls, Fee, when did you get here?”
“We just arrived.”
He gives Chase an appraising once-over and extends his hand. “Flip Madden, brother of the bride.”
“I know who you are.” His eyes are wide with awe. “I’m Chase, boyfriend of Cammie, the maid of honor’s sister. This is like—wow. Mind blown. It’s so cool to meet you.”
“Ah, Cammie’s boyfriend.” Flip nods slowly. “You play hockey?”
“I do, yeah.”
“Cool. It’s good to have you here.”
“It’s great to be here.” Chase looks like he might pass out.
Flip turns to Tally. “Where’s your boyfriend?”
“Home in Winnipeg for the summer.” Tally rolls her eyes. “Besides, there’s no way my dad would let me stay in the yurts if he’d come, so it’s better he didn’t.”
“Right, good thinking, yeah.” Flip nods on repeat.
“We’ll just drop our stuff off and come help, if you need it.” Cammie leads Chase toward the yurts.
“I think Chase is a little starstruck.” Tally pats Flip’s arm, then withdraws like his skin is on fire. “I’m going to settle in.”
“Me too!” Fee waves as she joins Tally and heads across the yard.
Flip runs a rough hand through his hair. “I can’t believe they’re old enough to party with us.”
“Tally’s parents are coming, and so are Fee’s sister and Roman, so lots of eyes watching out for them.”
“Right. Cool.” He rubs his bottom lip and watches them disappear into one of the yurts. “I’m going to see what else needs doing.”
“Sounds good. I’ll check on the bride-to-be.”
“If you get tired of sleeping alone tonight, you know which yurt to find me in.”
I wiggle my fingers. “My girls are good company.”
He wiggles his back and winks. “My boys are better.”
I bite my tongue and avoid saying something that might hurt his feelings, like how I’m sure many women can confirm that is true. Flip has made some big changes in the past couple of years. He used to be an over-the-top playboy, but he’s settled down. I have a feeling his prolific love life had less to do with wanting to fuck his way through half the population of Toronto and more to do with personal issues. I get it. Despite growing up with incredible parents whose relationship is a fairy tale come true, I keep falling for the wrong guys. But not anymore. I won’t give my heart to another man who doesn’t deserve it.
“What’s going on? Do you need something?” Nate comes busting between us.
I frown at his furrowed brow and slightly manic expression. “Yeah, for you and your black cloud of doom to go rain on someone else’s parade. I need to find Rix.”