Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 55641 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 278(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 185(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55641 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 278(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 185(@300wpm)
The guys insisted that I stop helping by midmorning, so I took advantage of the newly installed bathroom to shampoo, condition, shave, and moisturize. The tub was amazing. The entire bathroom looked like something that you’d find at a high-end hotel, not a ranch house in the suburbs. I still couldn’t believe how much they’d gotten done in such a short time even though I’d documented pretty much every step along the way.
When I was finally ready, the guys were waiting in the living room. I walked out, moving slowly on my high heels. My hair was brushed over one shoulder, as the bridesmaid had been instructed, and I had on a pretty silver necklace that Claire had given all of us.
Hunter gave a low whistle as I stepped into the living room. Reid’s mouth was open slightly as he stared at me. My gaze was drawn to Hunter. He looked magnificent in his suit. He was accompanying me to the wedding. Then we’d come back here, switch off, and Hunter would accompany me to the reception. I felt bad that I wouldn’t be going anywhere with Reid by my side today, but I had plenty of quality time with him last night. He’d really come through when I needed him. I smiled to myself. Him and his economic theories.
Jackson took my hand and brought it to his lips. “You look stunning, Penny.”
Reid leaned over to kiss me on the cheek, but Jackson pushed him away. “Don’t mess up my date’s makeup.”
Reid rolled his eyes and dodged his brother to deliver his kiss. “Wish I could see you walk down the aisle,” he said as he pulled away.
That made me giggle. “I’m not the one getting married.”
He grinned. “You know what I mean.”
Then it was Hunter’s turn. He winked at me and then addressed Jackson. “I want her back here as soon as the wedding’s over in mint condition. She’d better not have your fingerprints all over her.”
I laughed, shaking my head. These men could make me smile. Make me laugh. Make me feel beautiful. And just… make me feel. Feel more things than I had in a really long time.
Claire and Matthew’s wedding was beautiful and lovely. I teared up more than I thought I would. The bride and groom just looked so happy together. As I stood at the front of the room, my gaze kept falling on Jackson sitting there in the crowd. He looked so handsome. And as far as I could tell, he couldn’t take his eyes off me. That made my whole body flush with warmth, not just my cheeks.
And the other thing that made me tear up was the fact that this would all end tomorrow. Sunday was the final day of their Ten-Day Turnaround. I didn’t know what would happen after that. Back to my tiny apartment and my job search. Back to long days and lonely nights. My thoughts sounded melodramatic even to myself, but it felt true anyway. The triplets had shown me that days could be filled with excitement, laughter, and action. I didn’t want that to end.
On the drive back to the house, Jackson held my hand every chance he could safely do so. When he pulled up in front of the house, he seemed strangely reluctant to leave the car.
At last, he sighed. “Who would’ve thought that my posing at my friend’s art class would lead to this.”
“That feels like it was months ago.”
“At least.”
He looked so melancholy that I searched for a way to cheer him up. “I guess that means that it’s been far too long since I’ve seen you naked.”
He gave a little laugh. “Well, there was the massage the other day.”
“Doesn’t count,” I said. “You were only half naked.”
“We’ll have to remedy that sometime,” he said, but he didn’t seem confident it would happen.
I thought about telling him that it was a small scar on his back that had led Naomi to find out about us, but I didn’t want to burden him with that. Besides, I’d believed her when she said she didn’t want to make trouble for us.
Jackson sighed. “Guess we’d better go inside.”
“I guess so.”
But he didn’t move. “We could just drive back to the reception, you know. Does Hunter really need a turn?”
I smiled but shook my head. “That’s not how it works. I can’t choose between you three. I wouldn’t want to. Does that make me a bad person?”
He squeezed my hand. “No.”
Then he climbed out of the SUV and came over to open my car door, possibly for the last time.
I enjoyed the reception. Hunter twirled me around the dance floor with the same skill as before but with slightly more decorum. My parents beamed every time we passed by them. So did Claire and Aunt Denise. Even Aunt Evelyn kept her eye on us as we moved around the room. But every time we took a break, we found an empty table or a secluded corner. I could talk to my family anytime, but my days of spending time one-on-one with Hunter were numbered.