Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 95264 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95264 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 476(@200wpm)___ 381(@250wpm)___ 318(@300wpm)
“Thanks for the warning,” he mutters, his smile crooked.
“Sorry, couldn’t. I made a promise to a friend to let you sweat. Besides, Ralph was off the clock.”
“Yes. Busy getting dressed for a felony. And your friend cornered me after.”
“Oh no.” I wince. “How bad?”
“I don’t know. She told me that if I hurt you in any way, she’ll come back and haunt my ass every night until I’m dead. And then we’ll both be in hell together, and she’ll really fuck with me.”
Laughter rolls out of me, filling the dingy old stone basement. “If there’s anyone who can do it, it’s Shirley.”
“I believe that. But I told her she has nothing to worry about. It’s you who’s going to break my heart.” His brown gaze drifts over my lips, raw adoration shining in it. “But I don’t even care. I’m here for it.”
I lean in until our lips find each other in a kiss that soothes the gnawing ache that’s been lingering in my chest since the day I left him.
“Any chance you can uncuff me now?” he whispers.
“Why on earth would I do that?”
Chapter Thirty-Four
“I could get used to this.” I accept the flute and lean back in the last vacant Adirondack chair overlooking the channel, my sunglasses shielding my eyes as the sun hints at descent.
“To what, exactly? Me, serving you? Or watching yachts coast by while sipping on pricey champagne?”
“Both. All of it.” Especially this magical little slice of American Richie Rich heaven, tucked on an island that isn’t an island. Garrett and I arrived in Newport Thursday night and spent all of Friday touring around in his Porsche—a sly surprise—before the rehearsal dinner.
I met his father, Garrett the Second, and I managed not to reference Stuart the Second even once. I again met Blair and bit my tongue against the urge to highlight how her son’s pants were on this time.
All in all, I’d say that was a success.
But my biggest triumph was that I saw Bill and Isabelle in the hotel lobby, and I didn’t want to crumble, I didn’t want to hide. I wouldn’t say I didn’t care. It’s going to take time for me to detach years of memories—so many good ones—from the man he is. Maybe we’ll be friends again one day.
Maybe not.
But I didn’t feel that hollow ache in my heart, that punch to my gut. And there’s one dashingly handsome explanation for that. Garrett’s been my anchor, attached to me the entire weekend, save for the few hours earlier today when the two sides of the bridal party were separated. I’ve dreaded for months looking across the aisle and seeing Bill standing there, but Garrett’s face was the only one I cared to look at the entire wedding ceremony, when I wasn’t mouthing “you big baby” to Joe for crying as Sara came down the aisle.
Even now, Garrett hovers next to my chair in his three-piece pale gray suit, like a sentry to protect me from dark moments. But there aren’t any looming. “I can’t wait to get you out of those clothes.” The sage tie matches my lace dress. “Except for the tie. You can keep wearing that.”
He steals a glance around, crossing gazes with several guests who clearly heard my blatant come-on because they’re chuckling, before hiding his smirk behind a sip of his drink.
“You love it.” I wink. I may be a tad tipsy.
“Hey, guys.” Scarlet sounds out of breath. Trailing behind her are Shane, Dean, and Meera, who clings to Dean’s arm as she maneuvers the grass in her heels. “Picture time. They’re looking for you.”
“You’re kidding. I thought we were done!” We spent two hours grinning for the camera.
She holds her hands in the air, a champagne flute still gripped in one. “I’m just the messenger.”
“Well, it’s too late. I can’t get out of this chair.”
“Come on.” Garrett reaches down, collects my hand, and pulls me up.
Scarlet swoops in to take my place. “Thank you!”
Dean looks dashing, as usual, but especially with the good doctor on his arm, her straight, raven-black hair shimmering in the sunlight. He swears it’s just casual. For her sake, I hope she’s reading from the same page.
“Aren’t you two cute.” I grin slyly at Dean. “Has she had a chance to check—”
“No. Stop.” His cheeks turn red.
I pinch his side on my way past, but I don’t miss Meera asking, “Check what?”
My wicked laughter carries over the grassy knoll.
Garrett ropes his arm around my shoulders. “You truly are a menace.”
“Thank you. Can we please skip these pictures? This is excessive. My cheeks still hurt.”
“You know what? I agree. This is bullshit.” He scans our surroundings. “But we can’t stay here.”
I gasp with delight. “You know this place. Where should we hide? Besides our room, because if we go in there, we’re never coming out, and I’m hungry.”