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)
We pile into the back of Rix’s SUV with Flip, who looks put together, but not all that enthused. “Let’s get this over with,” he grumbles.
“Where’s your gift?” Rix asks.
He pats his breast pocket. “In here.”
Rix narrows her eyes at him. “What is it?”
“A gift certificate for an excellent divorce attorney.”
Tristan frowns. “Please tell me you’re not serious.”
“He specializes in getting around prenups.” Flip looks terribly serious.
Rix shoots him a look. “Don’t be a dick!”
“I’m kidding. Mostly.” Flip rolls his eyes. “I got them a one-night stay at a winery in Niagara. Dred is obsessed with the place, and they have this suite with a library.”
“Oh.” Rix’s eyebrows rise. “That was nice of you.”
“I might not like Grace, and I might not like that he’s engaged to one of my best friends, but I care about Dred, and I want her to be happy. If this dickbag makes her happy, I’ll support her.”
“Can you avoid referring to him as a dickbag for the rest of the day?” Essie asks.
“I guess. Yeah.”
“I’m kind of excited to see his parents’ house,” Rix says.
They have a home in one of the most affluent neighborhoods in Toronto. Apparently, they also have homes in several states, as well as a summer home in Bala. It’s no secret Connor comes from a very wealthy family. It’s also no secret that he’s not the biggest fan of his family, and that his family aren’t the biggest fans of him—other than his grandmother.
“I’m fascinated to meet his family,” Essie says. “The guy comes from old money, yet he’s covered in tattoos and plays professional hockey. He’s such a contradiction.”
“He better not fuck Dred over,” Flip mutters.
Essie and I have done our fair share of brainstorming about the whole thing. We know Connor isn’t all bad, but Flip hasn’t seen that side of him. And I’m not about to spill his secrets, considering the way he saved me and my brothers from what would have been a nightmare situation at Tristan’s wedding.
We arrive at the house at the same time as some of Tristan and Flip’s teammates. Lavender and Kodiak flew in from New York to be here, and Quinn Romero, the newest addition to the Terror and their long-time family friend, is with them.
Essie’s sister, Cammie, and her boyfriend, Chase, as well as her best friends, Fee and Tally, approach us. Flip does a double take as Tally rushes up and gives him a quick hug before moving on to Rix. Her long, blonde hair is pinned at the sides, revealing a ladder of hoops in her right ear. Her dress is deep blue, with a slit that reveals her dancer’s legs. The girls form a circle and comment on how much they love each other’s dresses.
Flip rubs the back of his neck. “I bet my sister helped Tally pick that dress.”
“If she was looking to get noticed, it’s working,” I murmur.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
I pat him on the shoulder. “You’ll figure it out eventually.”
Dallas inserts himself between us. “This is going to be one hell of an engagement party.”
I laugh as I take in his suit. As usual, he’s wearing plaid, but his tie has a sexy-peach pattern on it. “You put the ass in classy, Bright.”
“I know.” He winks. “Let’s do this.”
Essie slips her arm through mine as we walk up the winding driveway to the massive, sprawling, modern mansion. We’re greeted by a butler as we enter the foyer and are immediately handed glasses of champagne.
Everything is white, on white, on white.
“This is like a snow palace.” Essie drops her voice to a whisper. “I wonder if they have a ballroom.”
“I bet they do.” It seems logical in a house this big.
Rix and the girls call for Essie to join them. They now have a very nervous-looking Dred with them. “I’ll find you later.” Essie kisses me on the cheek and flits off.
My brother calls me over to say hello to Connor and meet his grandmother. He’s dressed in a teal suit, like he’s representing his team, not hosting his engagement party. His grandmother is wearing a matching teal sequin dress and looks like the picture of old money.
She smiles up at Tristan. “You must be my grandson’s teammate.”
Tristan takes her tiny hand in his. “I am. It’s nice to meet you. You must be excited about the engagement.”
“I couldn’t be more thrilled. Dred is smart as a whip. My grandson needs someone like her to keep him in line.”
“You’re quite the matchmaker, Meems,” Connor says with a wry smile.
“Matchmaker?” Tristan asks.
“Connor hasn’t told you the story?” She tsks. “Every week I go to the public library and take out two new books, and Dred always helps me pick them. But a while ago I wasn’t feeling well and couldn’t get to the library, so I sent Connor.”