Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 144571 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 723(@200wpm)___ 578(@250wpm)___ 482(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 144571 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 723(@200wpm)___ 578(@250wpm)___ 482(@300wpm)
Erin stared at Serena. “Yeah, it was all about Bri. Tell me you’re not plotting the book right now.”
Serena was a romance writer. A grin crossed her face. “It’s going to be fabulous. The kids are really giving me vibes. I think I’m even more prolific now.”
“He contacted us two days after he took her,” Charlotte explained, eyeing her sister-in-law. “Though that’s supposed to be confidential.”
Erin waved it off. “I’m not Agency. I don’t have to keep their secrets. Besides, that boy is good with technology. Tristan’s been trying to catch his signal when he calls, but he can’t do it. We’re pretty sure they’re in the States. Or Europe. Or we don’t know and my daughter has a mouth on her. I’m proud of her for that. Less proud that she was a dumbass and got Eve shot.”
“I don’t blame her for that. It wasn’t like she pulled the trigger,” Eve argued.
“She didn’t understand the situation, and she thought Zach dumped her,” Charlotte tried to explain.
“She was acting out, but it’s understandable,” Serena agreed. “She didn’t think Zach cared enough about her that his enemies would think she was a good target.”
“Well, she’s aware now that he was always interested,” Erin quipped. “It’s a weird life, my friends. I feel like I have couples sessions with my daughter and her kidnapper, and I often come out on the kidnapper’s side.”
Eve gave her a half hug, leaning into Erin. “If it helps, I think he’s desperately in love with her.”
Erin sighed. “And I know she loves him, but I worry this is going to end in tragedy. I’m not worried about her being in danger. Zach is very competent, and I believe him when he tells me if he needs to, he’ll bring her home. I think Zach is trying to spend what he thinks are his last days with her. It makes my heart ache.” She took a long breath. “But I’m so happy for Kala and Cooper. And you guys didn’t even have to do the whole wedding-plan thing. Daphne is serious about wedding planning. Lou is too busy working. TJ only cares about what food is going to be served, so someone had to step up and wedding plan with our future in-laws.”
Charlotte grinned. “Theo’s doing a great job. The peonies he selected are going to be lovely at the church.”
“Oh, and I’ve seen his color scheme for the reception.” Grace walked up with Avery O’Donnell. “Their venue is going to be gorgeous, and it will be Theo’s doing. Daphne, for all her enthusiasm, is more about the cake and trying to force Lou into a wedding dress. Theo could go into wedding planning.”
“I know I talked to him about the outdoor wedding Daisy and Nate are planning, and he had so many helpful hints,” Avery added and then frowned. “He also told me I should be prepared for any number of weird weather things to happen. We are talking about Daisy, so it’ll probably be a tornado, but Theo has thoughts on how to plan around it.”
Erin laughed. “That’s my guy. Eve’s the only one who’s getting out of this easy. We’ve all had to plan weddings lately. The good news is we’ll be experts by the time Vivi and Hunter are ready to settle down.”
“Hunter will be a while,” Eve mused. “He’s having too much fun. Vivi, on the other hand, well, I’m pretty sure she’s got someone she’s either seeing in London or wants to be seeing. She’s very mysterious about it. I hope it’s Archie and not his brother. She’s working for Damon Knight, and she talks about his kids a lot. Archie is very normal. Oliver thinks he’s James Bond and acts accordingly.”
She really, really hoped it was Archie. Oliver Knight hit on every woman he found even vaguely attractive. Including her. And all the women standing near her.
Charlotte shook her head. “Oliver. How that kid came out of Penny’s womb I have no idea. I mean I do. He got his dad’s height and his mom’s hair and eyes, but he got neither of their personalities. It’s a shame.”
It was fine because Vivi just had a crush, and she would likely get over it the next time a hot bodyguard got hired on.
Her daughter was smart and kind, and she would figure it out.
The way her baby boy had.
“Oh, no. She’s got mama tears,” Avery said with a grin. She moved in and gave Eve a hug.
Once she’d felt so apart from everyone in her life. She’d survived something unimaginable and told herself simply existing was enough. She’d held herself apart until these women had shown her a different way.
First Grace had come into her life. Her resilience and determination had sparked something in Eve. Serena’s zest for life, her deep belief in happily ever afters, had been the first time Eve considered that maybe her story with Alex didn’t have to be over. Avery had taught her the greatest gift she could have was to forgive herself. Charlotte was a force of nature who moved them all forward. And Erin was proof that second chances could be the best thing life could offer.