Total pages in book: 55
Estimated words: 54520 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 273(@200wpm)___ 218(@250wpm)___ 182(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54520 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 273(@200wpm)___ 218(@250wpm)___ 182(@300wpm)
Fury sparks in her gaze, along with something hotter—the same heat pounding in my veins.
“Now,” I continue, my tone dropping even lower, “if you want me to do this, you’re going to owe me. I don’t know what yet. Might be simple. Might not. But when I ask, you’ll pay up. That’s the deal. Take it or leave it.”
Her chest rises and falls, the battle clear in every breath and for a second, I think she might bolt.
“Fine,” she snaps, giving in. “But don’t think for one damn second you can walk all over me, Masters. If you even try to be unreasonable, you’ll end up with a fight on your hands. Got that?”
A smirk spreads across my mouth, slow and satisfying. “Wouldn’t expect anything less from you, Goldilocks.”
Her glare sharpens. “Fine. Now get the hell out of my space,” she growls, shoving at my chest.
Chuckling, I take pity on her and step back.
She drags a hand down her blazer, brisk and controlled, like she can smooth the whole moment away.
“So, what weekend is this train wreck scheduled for?” I ask, already knowing I’ll need to clear my schedule with work.
She clears her throat, slightly hesitating. “Three weeks.”
“Three weeks?” The words rip out of me before I can stop them.
She nods. “Seems they are hell-bent on sprinting down that aisle.”
I’ll fucking say.
“Think you can get the time off that fast?” she asks, a flicker of worry edging her voice.
“Yeah. Shouldn’t be a problem.”
Protocol’s usually a month’s notice, but since I haven’t taken a single day off in five years, the chief will make an exception.
“Good.” Her tone shifts, sliding into business mode. “We’ll keep it simple—arrive Friday, leave Sunday. I’ll handle the flights and the hotel. You just show up ready to play your part. My parents aren’t easy to fool.”
I grunt. “Don’t worry, I can handle them.”
She rolls her eyes at the response.
“And you can keep your money,” I add, pushing back off the desk. “I’ll pay my own way.”
“No.” She shakes her head adamantly. “I’m the one dragging you into this, I’ll cover it.”
My jaw tightens, the idea of letting her bankroll me rubbing like sandpaper. “I don’t need your damn money, Harlow.”
Her eyes narrow once more as she gears up for another fight, until the shrill wail of the alarm pierces the room, cutting her off.
She jumps at the sound, a startled gasp escaping as she covers her ears.
I flash her a grin. “We’ll have to finish this later, Goldilocks. Duty calls.”
I’m already on the move, my strides eating up the floor as chaos erupts.
“Linc!”
Her voice halts me, just long enough to catch her gaze.
“Be careful.”
Two simple words, but the weight behind them, the way they’re laced with something real, hits harder than I care to admit.
After a quick nod, I finish sprinting for my gear.
The call is my focus, but it’s her that lingers, those whiskey-brown eyes branding me deep beneath the skin.
The warm sun kisses my cheeks as I pluck the last of the dandelions scattered across the grassy edge of Heart Mountain.
I cradle the bundle carefully, arranging them into a fluffy bouquet for the imaginary bride in the pretend wedding I’ve spent all afternoon planning.
One day, when I’m a real wedding planner, I won’t be the one making bouquets, but it doesn’t hurt to practice. You never know when a last-minute disaster might strike, and I’ll have to swoop in to save the day.
The dandelions are in perfect bloom, their full white globes glinting in the sunlight, like tiny wishes waiting to be whispered into the world.
Before tying the delicate stems together with a piece of twine, I pull one out for myself, unable to resist.
What can I say? I’m a hopeless romantic, and even us wedding planners deserve a happily ever after.
Closing my eyes, I lift the puff of white to my lips, ready to make a wish in the form of my prince charming, but before I get the chance to blow, a cold, wet blob explodes against me, sending my bouquet tumbling to the grass.
I gasp, horrified as thick green slime splatters all over me. A broken balloon lies at my feet, glaring proof of the crime.
Laughter erupts behind me. “Nice aim.”
Spinning around, I find none other than Linc Masters and his three annoying brothers, laughing like a bunch of hyenas.
I should have known.
My hands ball into fists at my sides, teeth clenched in fury. “Linc,” I growl. “It took me forever to pick those, you jerk!”
He shrugs, not even bothering to hide his smug grin. “Guess you should’ve thought about that before you destroyed my bike. Had to get new tires, thanks to you.”
Okay, so maybe I went a little overboard with the Barbie stickers and streamers, but the popped tire was an accident. He deserved it after shoving a grasshopper in my lunch kit.