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)
“So you’ll have to select your gowns soon, Rayne. We’re running out of time,” Seraphina said during her latest video call.
“I’m sorry, did you say gowns, as in plural?”
“Yes. You’ll need one for the ceremony and one for the reception. Something to wear to the rehearsal, and then there is your wedding week wardrobe and your send-off attire. We might as well conquer honeymoon outfits, too, while we’re at it. What are you doing next week? I have Monday open.”
I glanced at Hale, but he was preoccupied with poopy-gate, as Elara Houdinied her way out of another diaper. “I’ll have to double-check with Hale’s schedule.”
Most days I felt like a clueless game piece that others moved around the game of Life. I opened the calendar on my phone to view his itinerary but got distracted.
As Seraphina went on about shoes and accessories, I smiled at the adorable picture of GQ Dad trying to negotiate with an oppositional six-month old that could squirm her way out of any situation. I loved watching them together, especially when neat-freak Hale would inevitably get taken down by doody. It brought out his human side.
My gaze drifted from GQ Daddy to GQ Mommy, my hand casually sliding the magazine from the pile to rest beside the laptop. Who was that couple?
It was us, but not us. Well, Hale looked the same. Me… I looked striking. Incredibly hot, like a woman with the confidence of a queen and the prowess of a true diva. She was stunning, but I honestly preferred the real me—soft, cute, sort of dorky.
I smiled at Hale. He preferred the real me too.
“Rayne, are you listening? If you can fly into New York next week, I’ll block off my schedule now.”
I pushed the magazine aside and returned my attention back to wedding-gate. “Hale leaves Monday, so that should work.” I glanced at my planner, checking a few due dates for school. I could finish a few projects on the plane and, without Elara or Hale there to distract me, I’d be able to get some studying done. “I just have to confirm with Andrew that he can care for Elara.”
“Ooh, yeah. Do that. I love my niece, but babies are not allowed in my boutique.”
“Understood. I’ll work something out with the manny.”
“Any word from Josette about the rehearsal venue?”
Josette was my point person for the wedding, but I liked to think of her as the poison taster. She got to see and try everything first, and was currently running around New York searching for the perfect venue to hold our rehearsal dinner now that we booked a rooftop for the ceremony overlooking Fifth Avenue and Rockefeller Center.
Hale loved that he would be able to see the famous Prometheus statue when we said I do. I chalked up his obsession with the god statues to boys being weird and never outgrowing action figures. I loved that the rooftop could only fit seventy-five people, which meant the ceremony would be exclusively for close friends and family.
There was an almost militant chain of command for every decision. Josette scouted, then Quinn approved. At that point, a proposal came to us. Hale weighed in and I surveyed Phina and Elle. If the decision was approved, Quinn paired with Devyn to work out the details and Phina took over the attire. It was sort of like a play with a very involved stage crew. Hale and I were the cast. My only job was remembering my lines.
Since the article with the engagement photos published, Hale’s phone had been ringing off the hook. It was amazing just how many people wanted to be a part of our wedding—or Hale’s, I should say. I foolishly expected the article to ease some of the pressure I felt, but all it did was raise everyone’s expectations.
Hale was going viral while I was fighting crippling imposter syndrome. His soon-to-be-taken status made him such a hot topic, there were even rumors circling that People was considering him for this year’s Sexiest Man Alive.
Then there was me. Phina suggested I hire a PR person to help develop my persona, but I didn’t want a persona. I just wanted all this attention and publicity to go away. Besides, the only person who called me about the article was my mom.
That reminded me… “Phina, do you think you would be able to help my mom with a dress for the wedding?”
“Of course! Send me her sizes. Do you have an idea of what she likes as far as cut and style?”
I shrugged. “She mentioned something about the Dress Factory—”
“I’ll handle it. Kindly tell her to cease shopping at once.”
“Will do.” I mentally crossed Mom’s Attire off my list.
Surrendering most decisions to Hale’s sister seemed the wisest choice since she was in her element. The more I delegated the less I panicked.