Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 81843 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 409(@200wpm)___ 327(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81843 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 409(@200wpm)___ 327(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
“So, you’re still in Vegas, I assume.”
“I am.”
“With your husband.” She laughs. “That sounds so wild. You have a husband. Do I know him?”
I’m glad she can’t see me because I can’t hide my smile or my blush. As excited as I am to tell her and share it with my only friend, it also feels a little bit like losing a precious secret. But it has to be done, and I know I’ll feel better about it once I break the news. At least I’ll be able to gauge her response and hopefully worry less until Monday morning.
“You do know him, actually,” I say carefully. “It’s Jason.”
“Jason who?”
The silence is deafening.
“Wait …” She sucks in a breath. “You don’t mean … There’s no way.”
“Way.”
“You’re telling me that you married Jason Brewer?”
“I am.”
“You married your boss?” Her voice is just below a shriek. “Are you shitting me? Are you serious right now? Don’t play with me, Chlo.”
My laughter fills the line.
“You are serious. Oh, my God. How did I miss this? How did I miss the signs? There had to have been signs?” It sounds as if she smacks her head. “And I’ve been drooling over the man, and he’s been your fiancé? I’m humiliated.”
“Don’t be. I can’t blame you. I don’t blame you.”
She sighs as if she’s in disbelief. “So how? Why? When? Tell me all the things.”
I’m not sure what I’m supposed to say or how much I’m supposed to divulge. I don’t want to outright lie to her. Then again, I’m not about to say anything that would hurt the Brewer image. And if word spreads that Jason married his assistant in a bet, that’s not exactly a good look for him—or me.
“We didn’t really want it to get out,” I say, dancing through the fire. “If things didn’t work out between us, we would still be friends and coworkers. So we didn’t want the potential drama, you know?”
“Understandable. I just can’t believe I didn’t notice. I think if I were fucking Jason Brewer, I’d be telling the whole world.”
Which is probably why he’d never sleep with you. The idea of her betraying Jason like that rubs me the wrong way. But before I can respond, the doorbell rings.
“Hey, I have to go,” I say. “Someone’s here.”
“When are you coming back to town?”
“Tomorrow, I think. I’ll see you Monday at work.”
“Can we at least do lunch? I need details, you little minx.”
I laugh. “Lunch for sure.”
“I’m so happy for you. Congrats!”
“Thanks, Nickie! Bye.”
“Bye!”
I end the call, then I tie my robe tightly around me and head for the door.
“Who is it?” I ask, peering out the peephole.
A bellhop stands on the other side and identifies himself.
I make sure I’m presentable and then open the door.
“Mrs. Brewer?” he asks.
“Yes.” I giggle. “That’s the first time I’ve been called that by anyone besides my husband.”
My husband. A flutter of butterflies takes flight in my stomach.
“This is all for you,” he says, motioning to the cart behind him. “Would you like me to bring it into the suite or leave it here?”
The three floral arrangements alone are as tall as I am. There’s a box, too.
“Would you mind bringing it in?” I ask, perplexed. What is all of this?
“It would be my pleasure.”
He scoots by me, and I direct him to the table in the atrium.
“Just set them all right there, please,” I say, realizing I must tip this man. “I need to grab my wallet.”
The smile he bestows upon me is kind. “Thank you, ma’am, but Mr. Brewer has already taken care of everything.”
How does he think of everything? “Are you sure?”
“I’m sure.” He sets the box by the vases. “Have a great rest of your day, Mrs. Brewer.”
I’ll never tire of hearing that.
He lets himself out quietly as I investigate the delivery. The first arrangement is a massive selection of the prettiest pinks, whites, peaches, and coral flowers with eucalyptus and sprigs of greenery. I pluck the card from the center.
Welcome to the family, Chloe! I’m so excited to have another sister and can’t wait to celebrate!
Love,
Bianca
“Wow,” I say, pulling in a shaky breath. “I didn’t expect this.”
I move to the apothecary vase next to it, which is filled with purple orchids and pale pink roses.
Dearest Chloe,
Congratulations on the start of something beautiful. I wish you and Jason the happiest ever after.
Welcome to the family, sweetheart,
Rory
I laugh softly. “At least I know where Jason gets it.”
I return Rory’s card and then slip out the one attached to the garden of roses. There must be a hundred or more of them in the deepest, sexiest red.
Chloe,
My wife. Here’s to an adventure we’ll never forget.
Jason
I swipe my finger over his name, my heart filling with a warmth that radiates from head to toe.
“It’s going to be an adventure, all right.” I smile, placing his card on the table. I then turn to the box. “Now, what’s this?”