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)
Cammie looks less than enthused. “No. You do not get to call me Cammie-Whammie like we are still toddlers. It’s mortifying.”
“You love it.” Essie kisses her on the cheek.
“I do not, and if you keep it up, I will flip you over my shoulder and everyone will see your underpants.”
Apparently, Cammie has a black belt in karate and has done this to Chase.
“I’m less worried about my underwear and more concerned about potential bruises.” Essie lets her go. “Where are Mom and Dad?”
“Still checking in, but they said they’d be down in a bit,” Cammie replies.
“They’re going to love it here.” Essie turns to Brody. “Look at you! Wow! You’re huge!” She squeezes my brother’s biceps. “Are you bigger than Tristan?”
“I’m an inch shorter.” He might as well have hearts for eyes with the way he’s smiling at her. “But I might still grow a bit more.”
“Well, you look great!” She pats him on the chest. “Very solid.”
He beams like a fucking spotlight.
I want to toss him in the ocean.
Essie turns to my dad and his girlfriend. “Mr. Stiles, it’s so lovely to see you.” She hugs him briefly.
Dad arches a brow at me over her shoulder. I’ve mentioned that we’ve been tackling a lot of wedding related stuff together. And Brody has kindly brought up the fact that she was the hottest girl in high school once upon a time. I can only imagine the things that will come out of my brother’s mouth, and all the ways I’ll deflect them.
Essie turns her beautiful, megawatt smile on my dad’s girlfriend. “And you must be Sophia. Lavender has told us all about you! If you’d like, I can introduce you to the girls while the boys get everything up to the rooms. But I also understand if you’d like to freshen up first.”
“I wouldn’t mind saying hi to everyone.” Sophia turns to my dad. “If that’s okay with you, Gideon.”
“Of course. I’ll get the boys settled and come find you in a bit.” Dad kisses her on the cheek, and they share a look I would prefer to never see again.
Essie links arms with her sister and Sophia, like they’ve known each other for years and didn’t just meet a few seconds ago. She always makes people feel included and important.
Chase bends to kiss Cammie before Essie guides them over to the girls, who shriek excitedly. Tally and Fee, along with Fee’s little sister, Callie, have also joined the group, having just arrived today.
“How is it possible that Essie’s gotten hotter?” Brody muses.
“You think Essie’s hot?” Chase’s brows pull together.
“Dude.” Brody looks at him like he has two heads.
“Stop drooling,” I mutter.
“She’s a nice young lady,” Dad says.
“She’s a literal human rainbow.” It comes out sounding irritated, mostly because there are enough people ogling Essie, and there’s more to her than just her pretty face and smoking-hot body.
Chase grabs Brody’s arm. “Holy crap! Is that Sam and Isaac? Hemi’s brothers?”
Brody squints against the sun and follows Chase’s finger. “It is.”
“Let’s go say hi!” Chase drags my brother off.
Dad settles a hand on my shoulder. “You doing okay, son?”
Freaking out about the wedding. Had sex with the maid of honor a few hours ago and couldn’t look her in the eye because I was afraid she’d see my feelings for her all over my face. Have to keep those to myself for the rest of the week and make a plan. “Yup. All good here.”
“Dad! You’re here!” Tristan strides across the foyer, a wide smile on his face.
He and Dad hug and back slap each other.
“You ready to walk down the aisle?” Dad asks.
“Absolutely. I can’t wait for tomorrow.” I wouldn’t be surprised if Tristan shot glitter out of his ass with how happy he is.
“I bet you can’t.” Dad may have some glitter in his cannon too.
Brody jogs over. “Sam and Isaac are going cliff jumping.” He thumbs over his shoulder, then jams his hand in his pocket. “They have a boat to get there. Can Chase and I go with?”
Sam and Isaac head toward us. They’re dressed in dark shorts and polo shirts with sunglasses and matching loafers. How they manage to look like they’re ready for a round of golf and a mafia takedown at the same time is a mystery.
“Tristan, Nate! It’s great to see you!” Sam says. We exchange a round of handshakes.
“You all right with us taking the boys to the cliffs?” Isaac asks. “There’s more than enough room for the three of you to join as well, if you’d like.”
“That sounds fun.” Tristan looks to me and Dad. “You think you can swing it?”
“Sure, let me make sure Sophia is settled with the girls,” Dad replies.
“We’ll meet back here in twenty?” Sam suggests.
“Perfect,” Tristan agrees.
Sophia has already been absorbed into the girl group out by the pool. She’s sandwiched between Lavender and Essie, who’s lost her beach cover-up. Today she’s wearing a hot-pink ruffled bikini top and matching shorts. She looks relaxed and beautiful.