Total pages in book: 59
Estimated words: 55832 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 279(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 186(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55832 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 279(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 186(@300wpm)
"Are you comfortable?" he whispers, his voice barely audible but rich with concern.
I nod, my throat too tight to speak. The air between us feels charged, like something significant is about to happen. I can feel the warmth radiating from his body, and I want to move closer to him.
As I lie there, I become acutely aware of every movement, every tiny shift in the bed. His breathing is steady, a calming rhythm that starts to sync with my own. I can feel the heat of his skin just inches away, and it's both comforting and electrifying.
I wonder if he can hear my heart pounding in the silence. I wonder if he's as affected by this moment as I am. There's a part of me that wants to reach out, to touch him, to feel the solid reality of him beside me. But I hold back, unsure of how he would react, unsure of what it would mean for us.
I close my eyes, willing myself to sleep, but my mind races with thoughts of Brock and the unexpected emotions swirling inside me.
In the silence, I realize that maybe, just maybe, this could be the beginning of something new. Something unexpected. Something that could change everything.
“I can’t believe this is happening?” Hartford cries. Tears stream down her face, and I pull her long hair back. “I just can’t believe this.”
“It’ll be okay,” I tell her. “We’ll fix it.”
Anya gives me a look like we won’t be able to fix a mess this bad, but I’m determined to make Hartford’s wedding perfect for her.
The wedding cake that Hartford had ordered for the wedding months ago never came through. Apparently the shop had to close this week, their refrigerators broke, and they had to cancel all of their orders.
Now, we’ve got a cake-less wedding. And Hartford’s not happy.
Obviously.
“I’m sure there’s other cake shops in Las Vegas.” Anya takes a quick sip of her coffee.
“Definitely. We’ll start calling,” Felicity offers, checking on August in his baby carrier.
We’re sitting in a small cafe shop, trying our best to come up with a possible way we can get a cake made, decorated, and delivered for the day of the wedding.
“We only have three days until the big event. This is a nightmare,” Hartford says again, crying into her two hands.
“No, it won’t be. We’ll make calls all day. We’ll split up into teams, and we’ll make sure we’ve got everything we need for this wedding. Brock and I can check out some cake shops all through Vegas.”
Hartford gives me a small smile. “Okay.”
Anya blots at Hartford’s face with a tissue. “My mother and I will make sure there’s no issues with your dress, the bridesmaid dresses, and the tuxedos.”
“All right,” Hartford says through her tears. She opens her eyes and glances around the table. “I love you ladies.” She wipes away her tears. “Just think one day we’ll all be sisters.”
My eyes widen. “Well, maybe.” I hate that I won’t be able to be sisters with these ladies, but I’m not technically dating an Atwood.
My mind rushes back to last night in bed with Brock. How in the morning I woke up to his arm draped over me. How I had to crawl out of the bed, trying my best not to wake him. How I didn’t want to get up.
How I’d rather have laid there all day with his arm wrapped around me.
What is wrong with me?
I pull out my phone and text Brock.
Me: Meet me at Java Beans Coffee Shop.
Brock: On my way.
Me: Thank you.
I text him back quickly.
“I just asked Brock to meet me here. We’re going to find you a cake today. Or die trying,” I say, eliciting a smile from Hartford.
“Thank you,” she whispers, her eyes already looking better. Dryer.
“Griffin, Callum, and Shepherd are going to make sure the venue is all set up. We just want to double check all the small details,” Anya says with a big smile. “We don’t want another hitch in the plans.”
“Right the only hitch is Hartford and Paxton getting hitched,” Felicity says, then frowns. “Okay, yes that was really corny.”
We all laugh, and get into girl mode. We’re going to make sure Hartford and Paxton have the best wedding imaginable.
Chapter 10
Brock
“I can’t believe how rude that lady was,” Willow says, shaking her head.
We’ve been to three different cake shops and all three have pretty much told us we are shit outta luck. Some nicer than others, but all with the same answer—no.
“Hartford is going to be devastated. You can’t have a wedding without a cake. It’s like having the Fourth of July with no fireworks.”
Last night she let me sleep in the bed. While she seemed nervous and stiff and still as a statue, I was fighting the urge to pull her closer to me. This need to want to make her relaxed and comfortable was overwhelming.