Total pages in book: 102
Estimated words: 101758 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 509(@200wpm)___ 407(@250wpm)___ 339(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101758 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 509(@200wpm)___ 407(@250wpm)___ 339(@300wpm)
We’re all listening raptly as she explains what everything is when Charlie says from behind us, “Get your tissues ready, friends.”
We turn, and the room goes completely quiet.
Because Ava Hendrix is one gorgeous woman.
Her dress is the palest pink lace with a deep V neckline that accentuates her cleavage but isn’t at all inappropriate. The waist is cinched, and the bottom molds around her hips and ass, and holy shit.
“I don’t know that I’ve ever seen a more beautiful bride,” Harper whispers as people sniffle around us.
“Absolutely stunning,” Jules agrees.
“That lace,” Indie breathes.
Ava bites her lip and glances down at herself and then back up at us.
“It’s not too much?”
“Baby, if that’s too much, he can go find less,” Darby says, slowly shaking her head side to side. “Because this is absolutely perfect.”
Ava nods and then wipes a tear from under her eye. “And it’s not too cliché?”
“What the hell?” I ask with a frown. “What could possibly be cliché about this masterpiece of a dress?”
“The wedding is in February, and Chad thinks it’s stupid because of Valentine’s Day. Like, he’s really made a fuss about it. And this dress is blush, and am I just a walking Hallmark card?”
Several of us exchange looks.
“Aves, you’re getting married on the twenty-second. And aside from that dress, which is not an obnoxious pink at all, there are no Valentine colors in sight,” Harper says.
“Agreed,” Charlie says emphatically. “This entire wedding is pure class. Your colors are cream and black, Ava. There’s nothing cheesy about this wedding.”
“Okay.” Ava takes a breath and nods. “Okay, good.”
I don’t like that she looks scared. Or worried that Chad might say something horrible to her about the dress or the timing.
Or any of it.
I don’t really know Chad all that well. He’s much older than me, and I don’t think his family is from the area. But it doesn’t sound like I’d like him very much.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
XANDER
The four of us split up into two vehicles, and rather than heading straight to Bitterroot Valley for some brotherly football time, we’re making a detour into Silver Springs and the office of a certain attorney.
Chad hasn’t attended a family function since Tucker and Darby’s engagement party. And I know for a fact that he’s not just avoiding us.
He’s avoiding my sister.
His fiancée.
Because he’s hardly been home in the past month, and even if Ava insists that Chad is her endgame, which I call bullshit on, her brothers need to have a fucking conversation with him.
It’s past time.
And Zack’s currently in town, so the timing is perfect.
We pull up in front of Chad’s office, and all four of us climb out of the vehicles and move to the doors.
We’re all big, muscular men. Tall. Strong.
Some might say we’re intimidating.
And that’s fucking perfect for what we plan to do today.
“Oh, hello.” The receptionist blinks owlishly, swallowing hard as she looks all of us over. Her gaze stops at Zack, and her face flames. “Oh God. You’re—”
“We’re here to see Chad,” Zack says with a charming smile.
He gets recognized everywhere. Chipmunks recognize this asshole. He’s been on movie screens for fifteen years. And, I can objectively say, he’s a good-looking guy.
The poor man gets mobbed at every turn.
“Oh,” she replies. Oh seems to be her favorite word. “Do you have an appointment? I don’t see one on his calendar.”
“Of course we do,” Tucker says with a wink as I slip her a fifty-dollar bill. “Feel free to take your break. Head on over to Buzz and get some coffee.”
She nods, staring at the money. “Sure. Yeah, okay. You can go on in.”
She stands and grabs her purse, and the four of us move to the office. I’m in the lead, and when I push through the door, I see that Chad’s on the phone. He scowls when he sees us and then says, “Hey, I have to call you back.”
He hangs up and stands, straightening his suit jacket.
“Is Ava okay?”
“That’s the right goddamn question,” Easton says with a pleased nod. “And yes. Ava’s fine.”
“She’s at my place,” I tell him, and his shoulders relax. “Working on wedding plans with the other girls.”
His jaw tics. His hands fist.
He doesn’t like the thought of that.
“So what can I do for you gentlemen? Do you need legal representation?”
“Not yet,” I reply with a humorless smile.
“We just came by to chat,” Tucker says. As the oldest, Tucker’s always been the most laid back. The man is incredibly chill. He takes his time with things, goes with the flow.
And he looks chill now.
But I see the anger in his eyes.
“We haven’t seen much of you lately,” Easton adds. “Ava says you’ve been working a lot in Helena and Missoula.”
“Yeah.” Chad nods and crosses his arms over his chest. “I’ve had cases in both cities. Did she tell you that she feels like I’m neglecting her? Because she assured me that she’s fine. You know how your sister likes her space.”