Total pages in book: 20
Estimated words: 18990 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 95(@200wpm)___ 76(@250wpm)___ 63(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 18990 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 95(@200wpm)___ 76(@250wpm)___ 63(@300wpm)
I look up at him, this man that I love. “I want the wedding to have a fifties theme.”
He chuckles and presses his lips to my forehead in a tender kiss. “You have six weeks.”
I frown, trying to figure out what he means. “Six weeks for what? To find a dress? To get a photographer? To choose the location?”
“You have six weeks to get down that aisle. Or I’m dragging you to the courthouse and making an honest woman of you in front of a judge.”
I laugh. “You wouldn’t.”
He quirks an eyebrow and tips my chin up. “You are mine forever.”
“Six weeks it is.” I grin at him. I can’t believe that after all this time I finally got my sexy CEO to fall in love with me. I couldn’t have written a better ending.
EPILOGUE
KATIE
“It’s OK.” Atlas holds my hair while Lacey rubs my back in a slow circle.
I have the best friends. I think right before I empty my stomach again. I didn’t even realize it was possible to be this sick.
When I’m certain it’s over, I lean my head against the bathroom wall and count the lilies on the wallpaper.
“I didn’t know nerves could affect you like this,” I tell them. I glance at my watch, but I still have an hour before the wedding ceremony with Michael. My eyes tear up just thinking about my growly alpha.
It’s the second time this week that I’ve gotten sick unexpectedly. I guess wedding stress doesn’t agree with me.
My friends who are sitting in the ladies’ bathroom floor with me exchange a look. Their matching expressions give me the feeling I’m missing something important.
“Have you told my dad about this?” Atlas asks softly. “About the throwing up?”
I start to shake my head then realize the motion makes me dizzy. “He freaks out if I so much as sniffle.”
Lacey passes me a piece of gum and I accept the minty sugar stick. In a few minutes, I’ll get up and rinse with mouthwash, but right now I’m too tired. Wedding planning is exhausting. “Is he a germophobe?”
Atlas picks at a string on her dress. “Do you remember how I told you my mom got sick and died?”
“Oh,” Lacey makes a sympathetic noise. “Cancer, right?”
She nods and glances at me. “Eric is the same way. I can’t sneeze without him wanting me to have a bowl of chicken soup and three days’ worth of vitamin C.”
“That’s why I don’t want to tell him. I can go on my honeymoon sick. It’s not a big deal.” I square my shoulders and remind myself that I can do this.
They exchange another look.
Finally, I scowl at them. “What is it?”
Atlas makes a face. “I can’t ask the question because it’s my dad and eww. So, Lacey, you’re up for this one.”
Lacey nods solemnly and turns her focus to me. “Have you and Michael used protection every single time?”
“Oh, shit.” I think back to the day on his desk. It’s the only time we’ve ever been without protection. I was so caught up in how I felt that I didn’t think about it. “It was just one time, but…”
I take a deep breath and another. Instead of making it easier to breathe, my lungs just feel tighter. “He told me he had surgery years ago and couldn’t have kids.”
Michael explained that both his wife and daughter nearly died during the delivery process. Together, they made the decision not to have more children and Michael underwent a surgical procedure.
“I didn’t know you’d come along later,” he said softly. “Children are the one thing I can’t give you, Katie.”
Atlas takes my hand. “First things first, you need confirmation. After the reception, I’ll go out and get you a pregnancy test.”
When Michael and I had that conversation, I accepted it. I thought that there were still so many other adventures we could have together. Like going to Rum Point for our honeymoon and continuing to build his business while my career blossoms. “I won’t be able to concentrate on anything. I need to know now.”
“I’m on it.” Lacey stands and disappears from the bathroom.
While she’s gone, Atlas sits with me the entire time. She chats idly about nothing and everything. I love that she’s working so hard to keep my mind off of this possibility.
I try to tell myself that this isn’t what it seems. I’ll be on a plane to Rum Point in a few hours with Michael, sipping champagne and laughing about my earlier freak out.
When Lacey returns, she’s carrying a brown paper bag. “Ryan said to take two to confirm. And don’t worry. I swore him to secrecy. He won’t say anything to Michael.”
I accept the bag from her and stare at my two friends. “How could this happen? He’ll think I cheated on him.” But Michael has ruined me for any other man. No one will ever show me as much tenderness and love as he does.