Total pages in book: 190
Estimated words: 181992 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 910(@200wpm)___ 728(@250wpm)___ 607(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 181992 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 910(@200wpm)___ 728(@250wpm)___ 607(@300wpm)
Leaving her to explore, I went straight to the master bedroom, where many of my boxes waited. Others were in what would be my office, where the men were setting up my bookcase—they’d had to take some of it apart just to get it out the house and into the van.
I played some music on my phone as I unpacked. Dax had already cleared out a dresser for me, along with half the closet. There were also now free drawers for me in the bathroom. As such, I didn’t struggle finding places for everything.
When I was finally done, I searched the house for some sign of Gypsy. She was nowhere to be seen, so I put out some food for her and then joined Dax and our helpers on the patio. They were sitting around, talking and drinking beer.
Dax looked up at me. “I’m going to order dinner for us all. What do you feel like having?”
I didn’t even have to think about it. “Pizza. I don’t care what toppings you—” I stopped talking as a knock came at the front door. When I opened it to find Sabrina stood waiting, dozens of gift bags at her feet, I remembered she’d promised to drop off the wedding presents on behalf of our team.
Her mouth thinned. “You forgot I was coming, didn’t you?”
“No. Sort of. Here, let me help.” I grabbed some of the bags and, together, we carted them all inside and plopped them in the hallway.
Spotting the guys through the living room doorway, she waved. “Hello, pretty boys.” After they’d called out their own greetings, she took a long look around. “Hello, pretty house.”
“I told you it was the shit.”
She rubbed her hands. “So, what’s it like being a wife?”
“Not much different, if it makes you feel any better about Tamara’s distaste for marriage.”
Her upper lip curled. “It doesn’t.”
“Be honest, what is it that you actually want most—to be married, or to have a wedding?”
“The latter,” she admitted.
Unreal. “Well, how about I throw you a birthday party next year that is wedding-themed and you’re basically a bride for the day?”
Her eyes lit up. “Oh my God, I would love that.”
“There. Problem solved.” I slanted my head. “You want to stay for pizza?”
“Ooh, definitely. I want a tour of the villa first.”
“Then let’s go.”
Chapter Fourteen
Feeling my nose wrinkle, I shook my head. “I don’t think we can make this work.”
“Me neither.” Sabrina waved a hand at the function room we stood in, which was much like a contemporary ballroom. “This place is perfect for their vision, but it doesn’t have ample space for seating—they have a huge guest list.”
I nodded, worrying my lower lip. “If they’re willing to shorten the list, we could make it happen. I’m just not sure if they’ll agree to.”
“They might. I mean, it seemed like they had their heart set on throwing the party here.”
“That’s true.” A set of three siblings wanted to throw a wedding anniversary shindig for their parents, and they hoped to hold the event here, where their parents’ wedding reception took place. “I’ll call them later and see in what ways they’re willing to compromise.”
As we exited the room and began a slow walk down a very grand hallway, Sabrina said, “It is a beautiful venue. It reminds me a little of where you got married.”
“It has the same timeless vibe,” I agreed.
It would be exactly three weeks ago tomorrow that I made my vows to Dax. At this point, I was settled in my new home—as was Gypsy, though she sometimes visited Alicia.
Dax and I had fallen into a steady routine. We ate breakfast together, went to work, came home, had dinner while sharing anecdotes about each other’s day, and then generally indulged in some alone time to wind down.
I usually watched TV in the living room or did a little reading in my office. He typically either went for a swim or spent time on his laptop while relaxing on either the patio, our bedroom balcony, or his own home office.
Then we’d go to bed, and he’d fuck me like he had no other purpose in life.
“I haven’t yet convinced Marleigh to let me name her baby,” said Sabrina, pulling me out of my thoughts.
The absurd statement made me smile. “I doubt you will.”
“We should remain hopeful.”
“Why would I hope she allows you to do it?”
Sabrina threw me an “Are you dumb?” look. “You know how she and Ollie are. They’ll name the baby something boring and old people-y. Like Bessie or Reginald.” She shuddered.
“There’s nothing wrong with those names.”
“Boring and old people-y,” Sabrina repeated. “She and Ollie should leave it up to me—I will give the baby an awesome name.”
“I really don’t see them handing you that power, but keep nagging them if you must.”
“I must, or the child will be bullied for life.”