Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 93578 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 468(@200wpm)___ 374(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93578 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 468(@200wpm)___ 374(@250wpm)___ 312(@300wpm)
The following morning, Hutton woke up early as usual for his run, but I grabbed his arm and snatched him back into bed. “Five more minutes,” I begged.
Laughing, he pulled me close once more, and we lay tangled up in each other as the sunlight streamed through the window. We hadn’t even bothered pulling the drapes closed last night, we’d been in such a hurry to tear each other’s clothes off. Our reunion had been hot and frantic at first—we’d gone at each other as if we’d been apart for months, not days. But the second round was slower and sweeter, like we were settling into it and knew we didn’t have to rush. There was no deadline, no end in sight. No one was going to take this feeling from us.
“So about tonight,” he said, brushing his hand up and down my naked back. “I have a surprise for you.”
“You do?” I smiled and snuggled closer.
“Yes—that is, if I have permission to surprise you.”
“You do.” I giggled. “I like your surprises.”
“I just have one request. Can I pick you up for the party at your sister Millie’s house?”
“Sure. But why?”
“If I tell you, that will spoil the surprise.” He kissed the top of my head. “You just have to trust me.”
“I do.” I closed my eyes, blissfully happy. “I do trust you.”
“I haven’t mentioned this yet, but I told Wade I’m not coming back to San Francisco.”
I picked up my head and stared at him. “What? You’re leaving HFX?”
“I haven’t decided that yet. But I want to live here—with you. I’ll start looking for a new place this week.”
My eyes filled. “Really? You’ll stay here? Because I’d go with you to California if that’s what you wanted. My business can go anywhere with me.”
“Nah. I’ve had enough of that life. I like it here. My family is here, your family is here, it’s peaceful and quiet . . . I don’t want to leave.”
I put my cheek back on his chest, and he held me tight.
“Everything is going to be okay,” he promised.
It felt like a dream, but we were finally real.
TWENTY-FOUR
FELICITY
My sisters helped me get ready.
Winnie came over to Millie’s house—Hallie and Luna in tow—with an entire suitcase full of shoes, accessories, and cosmetics. While Millie blew out my hair, Winnie painted my nails and the girls came over with one pair of heels after another, slipping them on my feet and standing back to judge them.
“This is like Cinderella’s stepsisters after the ball,” said Luna excitedly.
“Except she’s not mean or ugly and all the shoes fit,” Hallie pointed out.
I laughed. “Which one do you think will go best with the dress?”
“The sparkly ones!” Luna said, pointing at my left foot. It was a sandal with rhinestone-studded straps and dangerously high heels. “Those look the most like glass slippers.”
“Of course you’d pick those. Isn’t there a princess who wore sneakers?”
“No. What should we do with her hair?” Millie asked Winnie.
“Hmmm.” Winnie wrapped one arm around her middle and tapped her lips with a finger. “What about a high bun? Sort of an Audrey Hepburn look?”
Millie nodded. “That could work.”
I slipped the dress on, Millie put up my hair, and Winnie did my makeup. Hallie and Luna helped me strap on the shoes, and then all four of them stood back and looked at me.
“Well?” I asked, turning in a circle. “How do I look?”
“Perfect.” Millie’s eyes were shining.
“I love that dress,” Luna gushed.
“Yes, even the hair isn’t bad.” Hallie nodded her approval. “I like it!”
I took one final look in Millie’s full-length mirror and had to admit I’d never felt so pretty. Maybe I didn’t have Winnie’s golden hair or Millie’s curves, but I was me, and I looked good. “Thanks, you guys.”
“I thought the party was a surprise,” said Luna. “How come you know about it?”
“Because Winnie can’t keep secrets,” Hallie reminded her.
“Shhh.” I held a finger to my lips. “We’re going to pretend I didn’t know. You all look wonderful too. I’m so glad you’ll all be there tonight.”
A moment later, there was a knock at the door.
“I’ll get it!” Both younger girls took off running for the stairs. The next thing I heard was loud squealing and clapping.
My sisters raced out of Millie’s room. I took one last look in the mirror, picked up my tiny evening bag, and carefully wobbled out to the top of the stairs. I held onto the banister and started down, but I only got halfway before I saw Hutton standing at the bottom, looking up at me.
My breath caught. He wore a black suit, white shirt, and the blue tie he’d worn to the reunion, the one that matched his eyes. His hair was combed in that movie star way that made my insides dance—although that one contrary piece had sprung loose—and his scruff was trimmed close.