Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 72586 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 363(@200wpm)___ 290(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72586 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 363(@200wpm)___ 290(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
"This never happened!" I scrambled out of bed, nearly falling in my haste.
"Oh it definitely did. And I plan to cherish the memory—"
I slammed the bathroom door on his laughter, sliding down to sit on the floor with my face in my hands.
I might actually have to go ask the front desk if they had those handcuffs after all.
17
EMMA
For the first time since James had inserted himself into my life here, I’d managed to slip away for half the day on my own. I had a sneaking suspicion he had only let it happen because he was trying to get some work done as well. In other words, he was probably snooping around and trying to look for information on whether or not he was going to have to wreck this wedding.
But I had my own worries to attend to. Despite seeming like it should be an easy task, floral arrangements for weddings had a way of acting up and always presenting last minute problems. A quarter of the shipment had apparently turned up bruised and smooshed at the facility, so I needed to call around and find a backup florist to send extras. There were decisions to be made about the table settings, which Martha Wellington had seen in person yesterday and decided she hated. Chef Antoine wanted me to come by and give my thoughts on a few of the bites he was testing for the big day, too. That wasn’t even the full list of tasks, but it felt good to keep myself busy. It meant my mind wasn’t free to wander. It meant I had an excuse to be away from James, where my brain could finally seem to function properly.
After a delicious lunch of sandwiches I’d stuffed in my face while checking work emails in my blissfully James-free room, I knew the time had come.
Today was the day of the sleigh rides with some of the wedding party, and I already knew James well enough to be sure he wouldn’t miss that. If I was lucky, he wouldn’t have purchased us another matching outfit with his free time.
I got myself wrapped up and dressed as warm as I could, and then headed to the lobby. I got glimpses of the weather outside as I headed downstairs and couldn’t help noticing how perfect it was. The sun had stayed hidden until about twenty minutes ago, which meant last night’s snow was still clumped dreamily on tree branches, roofs, and every surface. The sky was blue, though, and the sun was shining. A glance at my phone said it was already up to about forty degrees, which would be more than bearable in all my winter gear.
Sure enough, I spotted James lurking near the rest of the Wellingtons in the lobby.
Dick Wellington intercepted me before James spotted me.
“You look smashing,” he said, awkwardly borrowing the British phrase as he tried to lift my hand—presumably to kiss it like some awkward prince.
I dodged his grip like his hand was a snake, smiling—or maybe wincing. “Ah, thanks. Yeah. I think I see James.”
His lip twitched in what might have been a smile. “When you get tired of him, you’ll let me know, won’t you?”
I practically rushed toward James like he was a lifeboat in a sea of creepy waters.
Despite my better judgment, I wrapped both arms around his arm and hugged myself into him. “There you are! Casual kiss,” I whispered quickly.
To his credit, James handled the moment as smoothly as if it was completely real. He tucked his index finger under my chin, bent his neck, and placed a soft, tender kiss on my lips.
And then his tongue swiped between my lips playfully.
I jerked back, then forced a smile I hoped was natural. I talked through my teeth, keeping my voice low. “What the hell was that?”
“Just like we practiced,” he said. “The tongue was your idea. Remember?”
Bastard.
“I can’t get over how cute you two are together,” Lily said, rushing up and taking my hands in hers. Her smile was vibrant and her outfit was adorable. She had on a puffy white wool hat, a matching white scarf, and a white, pleated jacket that went all the way to mid-calf. Even her boots were white.
“Look at you,” I said. “Like a snow princess.”
“Beautiful, isn’t she?” Marcus said, sliding his hand around her waist as he joined us. He planted a kiss on Lily’s cheek, and she practically melted into him.
See? I thought, hoping James was taking careful note. They were perfect together. It was obvious how happy he made her. For the first time, I considered the possibility that this whole thing would end up being a big nothing burger. James wouldn’t find anything, because there was nothing to find. The wedding would go beautifully. Happily ever freaking after. And I could blow a fat raspberry to James’ cynical face.