Total pages in book: 156
Estimated words: 151044 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 755(@200wpm)___ 604(@250wpm)___ 503(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 151044 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 755(@200wpm)___ 604(@250wpm)___ 503(@300wpm)
Great, so we could add guests but not subtract. This party was turning into one of those creatures in Greek mythology that grew three heads every time it lost one.
I looked at Hale who seemed completely at ease with all of these compiling plans. “Um, we haven’t really talked about a guest list yet.”
Hale squeezed my hand lovingly. “Miles emailed my dad’s list this morning and I’m waiting on my mom's but she promises to have it to me by the end of the week.”
Wasn’t he just the star student of the class?
I had yet to ask my mom for a list, but I was pretty sure it would include her, myself, and my Uncle Rob. Then there was Tyler and Elle, a few past co-workers and that was a wrap.
“We should probably ask Phina to make a list, too, just to make sure no one is left out.”
“Wouldn’t want that to happen,” I mumbled and Hale gave me a sidelong glance that turned into a reassuring smile.
“Rayne will also have a list of family and friends.”
Yes, my three people would require the best seating and views of all the ice sculptures and gods.
“Great,” Quinn said, making more notes. “Since you’re planning a destination wedding, we’ll want to start vetting vendors now. It’s wise to lock in any photographers, bands, videographers, special entertainment, etcetera, as soon as you settle on a date.”
My palms started to sweat and my stomach cramped. I reached for my coffee only to realize I’d left it in the other room. “Can I get anyone something to drink?”
“Water would be great. Thank you.”
Hale watched me as I escaped what felt like an interrogation holding. Just as I refilled my coffee cup his hands landed on my shoulders, startling me.
“Hey, are you okay?”
“Me? I’m fine. Everything seems to be coming together perfectly.”
“Rayne, look at me.” He turned my body until I faced him, his towering form trapping me against the counter. Lifting my chin with a gentle finger, he forced me to meet his gaze. “This is still what you want, right?”
There was no doubt in my mind I wanted to marry Hale, but this wedding was growing more overwhelming by the minute. Looking up into those familiar silver eyes, the storm of panic in my stomach calmed and the tension in my back unraveled. This was Hale. My safe person. My anchor in a choppy sea. My everything. My partner. As long as he was by my side, anything was possible.
“I’m okay,” I whispered. “Just overwhelmed.”
“That’s why we have Quinn. She’s going to take care of everything.”
I didn’t need everything. “As long as I get us, I’ve got everything I need.”
He smiled. “You’re sure?”
I nodded, certain I wanted forever with this man more than my next breath.
His hand slipped beneath my hair, gently holding the back of my neck as my face angled upward. “Because if you’re having second thoughts, now’s the time to speak up.”
New worry spiked in the pit of my stomach. “Are you having second thoughts?”
“Not even a little. I’d marry you tomorrow if it gave us enough time to plan everything. I’m all in.”
His words reassured me and my panic subsided. “I love you.”
Closing the distance, he nuzzled the edge of my nose with his then placed a delicate kiss on my lips. “I know this is a lot for you, but I’m here. We’re in this together. And Quinn will be at your beck and call.”
I was beginning to understand that a wedding was something completely different from a marriage. “I look forward to the moment we say I do.”
“Me too, baby.” He pressed a kiss to my lips and chuckled. “Then you’ll truly be mine.”
I was still processing the permanence of such a concept. Forever was a big promise. I wasn’t worried about marrying Hale. But I was terrified he’d grow bored or get annoyed with me.
Too many times in life, people had politely asked me to be less—less hyper, less messy, less neurotic. I’d been programmed by experience to shrink myself down before others got tired of me or they inevitably rejected me.
Lower your voice, Rayne.
Sit up straight, Rayne.
Don’t snort when you laugh, Rayne.
Your hips are too wide, Rayne.
You shouldn’t swear so much, Rayne.
Suck it in, Rayne.
If you dressed differently, people would treat you differently, Rayne.
But Hale didn’t like when I kept things inside. He wanted to know what I was thinking. He demanded I show him my authentic self. He said he liked the real me. All of me.
I should be flattered, which I was, but I was also scared because I was a lot.
Hale was my world now. I couldn’t imagine a life without him, so I constantly found myself trying to temper my weirdness so he didn’t change his mind and leave me.
“Rayne?” His thumb glided along my jaw as he looked at me in that way that told me I could never convincingly lie to him.