Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 121898 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 609(@200wpm)___ 488(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121898 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 609(@200wpm)___ 488(@250wpm)___ 406(@300wpm)
“Buying a hot chocolate, what does it bloody well look like?” I held the cup to justify myself, not like I needed to. “I’m surprised to see you mingling with the little people.”
Thomas chuckled. “You moved away years ago, Sylvie. Don’t act like you have any idea what it’s like here anymore.”
“I don’t want to know, nor do I need to.”
“Ah, that’s right.” He stepped aside and held the door for an elderly couple to leave, then let it slowly close. “You’re only here because Hazel is getting married. You’re the maid of honour, aren’t you?”
“And the wedding planner,” I retorted sharply.
“Must be nice to do that for free.”
“I’m sure it is for those who aren’t in the business of planning weddings.”
His eyebrows quirked upwards. “Are you?”
“I have been for the last nine years, thank you. I prefer to charge for my services.”
“And you’re charging your sister?”
“I’m a businesswoman, not a charity,” I snapped. “I don’t know why I’m standing here justifying myself to you of all people.”
Those pale pink lips curved into a smirk that was almost sardonic. “Oh, how you wound me.”
“Listen to me, Tho—”
I was interrupted by the café door opening, something Thomas caught, and he held the door for the gaggle of teenage girls who left with the same giggles they’d entered with.
“Carry on,” he said when they’d passed.
God, I hated him.
“Listen to me, Thomas Castleton,” I said firmly. “I am—”
“That’s Your Grace, The Duke of Castleton these days,” he replied, and a dark shadow passed across his gaze. “If you’re going to address me so indignantly, do it properly.”
The human part of my hatred squeezed uncomfortably.
I knew what that meant.
I’d grown up with the sorry git.
If he was now the duke, it meant he’d lost his father, and I wasn’t so cruel as to ignore such an event. Nor would I dismiss it just because I thought Thomas to be a pompous, selfish, arrogant bastard who needed a good smack around the back of a head with a good old frying pan.
“I’m sorry,” I said softly after a moment.
“Don’t be. We both know you don’t mean it.”
I clenched my jaw. “I see you haven’t grown up a bit.”
“I have but seeing you takes me back twelve years. What can I say?”
“If you were this immature twelve years ago, I fear for your wife.”
“Who said I’m married?”
“Nobody, but you being single makes a hell of a lot more sense that you actually being married,” I shot back. “And if you are, my condolences to the poor woman.”
Thomas’ lips twitched. “No woman to speak of, wife or otherwise.”
“Then my congratulations to those who are smart enough not to engage in marriage with you,” I replied, taking note of my phone vibrating again. I glanced at the screen, noting Hazel’s name. “Sorry. I have to take this. I’ll see you… well, hopefully I won’t,” I finished, turning on my heel and walking away from him as I moved to answer the call.
I just missed it, but it didn’t stop me from continuing and calling her right back. And I was not going to turn around and acknowledge that stupid man again.
“You called,” I said sharply when she answered.
“Whoa. Who nibbled your nipple?”
“I’d be a lot happier if someone did,” I replied. “Sorry. I just… ran into an irritant.”
My sister chuckled. “Thomas. You ran into Thomas.”
“Yes. That’s what I said.”
“You know, I was hoping that the two of you would have grown out of that by now.”
“I was hoping to not see him at all, so there we are. He’s not going to be at the wedding, is he?”
Hazel didn’t say anything.
“Hazel!”
“He’s… yes,” she said slowly, making something clink on her end of the line. “Didn’t you see his name on the guestlist?”
“I saw ‘The Duke of Castleton accompanied by The Duchess of Castleton.’ I assumed that was his parents.”
“Oh, well, this is awkward. You were technically half-right.” She coughed. “He’s coming with his mum. He and Julian are friends as their mums go way back.”
“Ugh,” I said, finally glancing over my shoulder in the direction of the café. There was no sign of Thomas there, and I huffed out another breath as I turned to the main street where all the shops were. “He’s not in the wedding party, is he?”
“No. You’d have known that much.”
“You’re right. I would have.” I sighed. Why had his name not been on the bloody list? Ugh. “What did you call for?”
“Beth just called me and asked if she can reschedule your meeting for tomorrow afternoon. Apparently, her kid cut his head open at school and she needs to take him to hospital. She didn’t have your number to call you directly.”
“Oh, gosh, of course.” I stopped in the middle of the street. That was my afternoon freed up. “Give her my number and have her let me know in the morning. That’s not a problem.”