Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 59690 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 298(@200wpm)___ 239(@250wpm)___ 199(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 59690 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 298(@200wpm)___ 239(@250wpm)___ 199(@300wpm)
I had my own Wright who I wanted to keep happy after all.
The dance ended, and Nora encouraged everyone to come out and have one more dance with them. Harley dragged me onto the floor in front of everyone.
“You’re the one who knows how to dance,” she reminded me.
Ah yes, years of dances I was forced to attend for the Junior League had taught me how to twirl a girl around. So, I gave her what she wanted, tugging her close and leading her around the room effortlessly. Harley’s eyes were wide with wonder, as if she’d forgotten just how capable I was at this or maybe it was just a whole different experience now that we were a couple.
“What are you thinking?” I asked.
“This is like a redo.”
“Almost.”
“Almost?”
“Well, this time, you’re already mine.” I spun her out away from me, her eyes shining, her smile wide. Then, I whipped her back in. I kissed the tip of her nose. “I’m not just meeting and getting to know the girl of my dreams.”
“You’re right. This is better.”
“Much,” I agreed.
The music came to a close, and as I had the first time, I dipped Harley dramatically to the ground. She laughed the whole way down, dropping her head back. Then, when she looked up at me again, I kissed her, right there in front of everyone.
I lost myself in that kiss. It was easy with Harley to forget that anyone else was around. To forget the rest of the world even existed.
But as I pulled her back to her feet, the entire world crashed back together.
Because Harley’s four brothers were striding toward us.
My hackles went up. Even when I told myself that in no way were they going to cause a scene at West’s wedding. Nora would murder him before letting him do that. The rest of the girls would certainly intercede. And yet they were still approaching.
Harley took my hand and stood her ground as they stopped in front of us. My heart was pounding. I didn’t know whether I was going to get reprimanded or punched.
What was happening here? How did I keep it from hurting Harley? Because I was done letting anyone else hurt her.
“Sinclair,” Jordan said.
“Wright,” I said with a nod in his direction.
Then, after a long silence, Jordan stuck his hand out. Just as he had at that soccer game where Harley was injured.
The relief must have shown on my face as I put my hand in his and shook perhaps a little harder than necessary. Jordan smirked.
“Scared you?” he asked.
“Don’t be an ass,” Harley said, swatting at Jordan. Then, she threw herself into West’s arms. “Married! You’re married!”
He laughed, hugging her back. “Thanks, sis.”
I shook Julian’s hand next.
“Glad you’re making her happy.”
“That’s all I want.”
“She told me what happened with Ashleigh.”
I winced. “I didn’t know that was going to happen.”
Julian laughed. “Don’t I, of all people, know what Ashleigh is capable of?”
“Fair,” I said, defensive despite my own frustration at my sister.
“But you seem chill, man.” Julian patted my shoulder.
My shoulders dropped again. He wasn’t saying my whole family was like Ashleigh. That we were all terrible. He was…accepting me with Harley.
Whitt was next, putting his hand out. “I didn’t want to like you.”
“The feeling was mutual,” I said with a laugh.
“And I’ll still destroy you if you hurt her.”
“Fair,” I interjected. “I’m not planning to hurt her.”
Whitt nodded. “Good.”
And that was enough.
West punched me playfully in the arm. “That’s for the one I missed the first time.”
I snorted. “Thanks, man.”
“Glad you could come to the wedding. Dude, let’s go eat some fucking food. I’m starving.”
Then, he had his arm around his new pixie wife, and away we went. The night was a whirlwind of food and dancing and cake and traditional wedding things. At the start of the bouquet toss, I grasped Harley’s hand firmly and gestured toward the exit.
Her eyes widened, and she nodded eagerly.
Without a backward glance, we slipped out of the party. Night had fully fallen, and the stars were bright out in this rural part of Lubbock. The vineyards were large and looming to the left of us on the pathway between the barn and cellar. The world was at our fingertips. Like we could pluck the stars out of the heavens for our entertainment.
“So,” Harley said with a smirk, “what kind of music do you like?”
I laughed and linked our fingers together. “Big fan of David Bowie.”
“Oh my God, do you know I always wanted to name a dog Bowie?”
“What a happy coincidence. I have a dog named Bowie.”
“Stop!” she said with a gasp. “We’re fated.”
“Fated,” I agreed.
We continued leisurely down the path and into the winding vineyards. We were the only ones out here. I was glad that we got to redo this moment. To have every perfect part re-created the same, but different. Better.