Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 104471 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 522(@200wpm)___ 418(@250wpm)___ 348(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104471 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 522(@200wpm)___ 418(@250wpm)___ 348(@300wpm)
“You’re not staying long enough to get to know either of them better.” He laughs. “No surprise there, though. It’s always been all work and no play for Reid Hunt.”
If that’s my reputation, I don’t take issue with it. Hard work got me where I am, and I have very few complaints about it.
“Unless you’re heading back to the city early for some fun and games.”
I leave that unanswered even though a simple no would put his suspicions to rest.
“Speaking of games, I wanted to give you a heads up that we’ll be teeing off before lunch,” he says. “Just us guys, though.”
Evangeline will likely hang out with Charlotte by the pool while Randall takes his friends, including me, golfing tomorrow since there’s a course not far from here. We went there with Randall’s folks when we were kids. He loved it. I couldn’t hit a ball with a club to save my life.
I haven’t had a minute alone with Evie since I blurted out that I wondered if she would kiss a man like me. The words escaped me before I had a chance to think them through. I don’t think she even heard me. Still, it was a momentary slip that I can’t let happen again.
I can’t kiss my assistant.
Once this damn wedding is over, we’ll go back to only seeing each other at the office. That’s how it should be. It’s more professional and a hell of a lot less dangerous than being at a beach house with endless alcohol.
“Let’s get you that drink.” Randall gestures toward the house. “I want to toast to the weekend ahead because I know it’ll be one we’ll never forget.”
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
Evie
I didn’t realize how much I missed driving until I got behind the wheel of this luxury SUV. The emblem on the front of the hood says it all. This Mercedes is equipped with all the bells and whistles, including a sound system that would put the biggest rock band in the world’s concert setup to shame.
Lottie was in charge of music, so she blasted the playlist from her phone through the SUV’s speakers as we charged down the highway within the legal speed limit.
She encouraged me to “put the pedal to the metal,” but I don’t need a speeding ticket. Besides, I enjoyed the drive with the window rolled down and the fresh air flooding my lungs.
Lottie wanted to turn on the air conditioning, but I insisted we cool the car down old school style.
She got on board as soon as the wind whipped a few strands of her hair against her cheek. This may have been one of the few times I’ve seen her relax since we met.
I know that planning the wedding has taken a lot out of her. I suspect that has more to do with the fact that her family isn’t in the picture to offer not only physical help but emotional support, too.
“It’s the first house on the left,” she says, even though the only house in clear view looks like a mansion from a magazine.
“We’re staying there?” I steer the SUV toward the long, winding driveway. “Lottie, this is breathtaking.”
“I’ll say.” She lets out a light laugh. “Randall said it was nice, but that’s the understatement of the century.”
Pulling further into the driveway, I spot a black BMW parked in front of the garage. “Is that the host’s vehicle? Are they here to greet us and give us a mansion tour?”
Her face lights up with a smile. “A host? What do you mean?”
“It’s a vacation rental,” I point out the obvious. “It’s someone’s house, right? I assume they hired a company to handle the rentals. Is there a representative meeting us here to hand over the keys for the weekend?”
Her gaze trails over my face before I turn away to focus on parking next to the BMW.
As soon as I’ve killed the engine, I unbuckle my seat belt and turn to find her doing the same. She skims a hand over her hair to smooth it out. “I think that car belongs to one of Randall’s friends.”
My stomach drops like a lead balloon. “What?”
She doesn’t glance in my direction, so she misses out on the shocked expression I’m certain is on my face. “Randall and most of his friends came up this afternoon on one of those party bus things, but he said another friend, Johnny, or Jimmy, or something with a J was driving.”
I rest my head against the seat and close my eyes briefly. “I see.”
“I did mention that Randall and his friends would be here, right?”
I open my eyes to see her staring at me with perked brows. “You didn’t.”
“Oh, shit.” She chuckles. “I’m sorry, Evie. It’s a combined bachelor and bachelorette party. I’ve met a couple of his friends. They’re nice guys. One is married, but his wife is away with her sister for the weekend, so she’s not here.”