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 want them to know now.”
I’d already told Mom. I couldn’t keep it from her another minute.
After Chase had officially been named CEO, we’d gone back to his—now, our—house, and I got on video chat to tell my mom. She was shocked and ecstatic. Though she had been sad that she hadn’t been there to see her only daughter get married, I thought she had been a little happy that her rule follower had finally followed her heart and rebelled.
“Then, let’s enter the lion’s den together.”
I nodded. “Together.”
We stepped out of his car, and he came around to take my hand. The walk up the stone path that led to the front of the vineyard felt shorter than normal. As if we took one step and then another and we were instantly at the large barn door that stood ajar, ready and waiting for us.
He squeezed my hand for reassurance and pushed the door all the way open. Inside was a crowd of Wrights. I’d done this, and still, I was struck by how much family I had now. I’d been so used to it being so small that I sometimes forgot when I invited all the Wrights, it was all the Wrights.
Whitt and Eve were standing with West and Nora, who were thankfully back from their honeymoon and the end of the tour. The rest of Cosmere lounged in chairs nearby. Beyond that, Jordan and Julian had drinks in hand beside their co-owner, Hollin, and the girls—Annie, Jennifer, Piper, and Blaire. My cousins—Jensen, Austin, Landon, Morgan, and Sutton—were in a cluster in one corner. Jensen was pointing fingers at his siblings, and the rest seemed to be arguing in the genial way they did. Their significant others were scattered about the room, along with their kids and friends.
Jensen’s eldest, Colton, had his head buried in his phone against a wall. A blonde stood at his side, staring up at him with longing in her eyes. They’d been on-again, off-again all year. This summer had been bumpier than ever. If it wasn’t enough that he was Harvard bound in a week’s time, there had been a horrible accident at the old train tracks, and one of their friends had died.
Understandably so, Colton had seemed off ever since. I didn’t blame him if he wanted to cut all ties to Lubbock and make a new name for himself in Cambridge, away from the legacy of the Wrights.
Honestly, sometimes, it was still strange to think that I wouldn’t be going with him. But I knew I’d made the right choice.
“Surprise!” I said, holding our hands up to the crowd.
The room quieted, turning toward us. All eyes were suddenly on us. Everyone wondering exactly why I’d called them here. Now, the moment of truth.
I caught Chase’s eye, and his smile warmed me. This was it. This was the right thing to do. No more hiding. Not ever again.
“Thank you so much for coming on short notice. I know it’s a lot to get all of the family together. We’re quite a bunch, aren’t we?”
They looked around at each other, chuckling at how much we’d grown over the years.
“Chase and I have an announcement to make.”
“But before we do,” Chase interjected, “I’d like to request that no Wrights punch me.”
More laughter from everyone. Eyes turning to Jordan, who just shrugged. Annie rolled her eyes at him. Julian slugged him in the arm.
“Hey!” Jordan said. Then another shrug. “He earned it.”
“What’s this about?” Whitt asked. He stepped forward, his face going white, as if he realized the news before it was announced.
“It’s okay,” Eve said. Her eyes were shining with tears of excitement. Bailey was at her side, and she must have already spilled the beans to her sister. “Let her speak.”
“Harley?” West said.
I turned my left hand to face my family. “Chase and I got married.”
There was a moment of deafening silence. Not whatever they must have been anticipating. Something more permanent. Something they hadn’t been included in.
I opened my mouth, prepared to defend our choice and tell them that they could all go to hell if they didn’t agree. We hadn’t done this for them. I was young, but not that young. Not anymore. This was what we wanted. What we’d fought for.
But the moment before I could speak, Eve, Bailey, and Annie rushed forward. A din of, “Congratulations!” followed as the girls smothered me with hugs and excitement.
I laughed at the sheer volume of their enthusiasm. My brothers stood on the periphery, but I couldn’t see what they were doing, and I didn’t know what they were thinking. Only that my family was happy for us. Wrights and Sinclairs were together, and they were happy.
“I was there,” Bailey declared excitedly. “It was a beautiful ceremony.”
“I cannot believe you didn’t invite me!” Annie said. She pushed Chase, and he laughed, and then she threw her arms around him. “Married! My best friend is married. I’m so fucking happy for you.”