Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 76693 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 383(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76693 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 383(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
“Gemma thinks it’s cool,” I throw back with a goofy grin.
He rolls his eyes. “She thinks everything about you is cool. I’m still trying to figure out what’s wrong with that girl.” Dax jerks forward, rubbing the back of his head, and says, “What the fuck? You thumped me. Ow, woman.”
Gemma sashays past him, looking hot as fuck in her crimson bridesmaid dress, and plops down in my lap. “You deserved it for talking crap.” She turns her head to arch an eyebrow at me. “And why weren’t you defending my honor?”
“I knew you could handle yourself, Golden.”
She beams at me. “Good answer. Now stop hiding out here. Mom’s done ranting about the height of the flower arch. Dad forced her to drink wine and she’s calm again. Everything’s basically done. The guests will be arriving pretty soon.”
I stand up with her in my arms, only wincing slightly at the ache in my ankle. I’m not sure how long it’ll take to get back to normal. Even with surgery and the cast long gone, it hurts a lot.
Ignoring the pain, I carry my girlfriend toward the front of the building, where cars are indeed starting to make their way down the long drive, and then set her down. A brand-new, deep purple Jeep pulls up and stops near us. Tate hops out of the driver’s seat and waves at us.
“Nice ride,” I say to my friend.
“It really is,” Tate agrees, grinning. “I thought I was going to miss the old Jeep, but I really don’t.”
“Your loss is my gain.”
Losing my car in the fucking lake of all places hurt. Bad. But after weeks and weeks of car hunting, I kept eyeing Tate’s Jeep. I finally approached him about selling it to me. To my surprise, he agreed. Dad pretended to sob at my purchase, but Pops beamed at me with pride. At least he appreciates a classic.
Tate hugs me and then hooks arms with Gemma. Jude smirks at me as we follow after them inside.
As soon as we enter, I’m met with chatter and chaos. Most of Jude’s family is already here and a couple of babies are crying. Dempsey’s pup, Beauty, runs past us, carrying a baby bottle in her mouth. Spencer chases after her, threatening to toss her in the lake if she doesn’t drop it. I’m highly amused by the entire scene.
I eventually move aside and shoot the shit with Dax until all the guests are here. Gemma is in the wedding as the maid of honor, so I sit in one of the folding chairs with Willa on one side and Dax on my other. Willa’s baby, Bane, makes cute faces at me and I can’t help but ruffle his hair.
A hush falls over the small group of family and friends as music begins. Gemma walks down the aisle accompanied by Sloane’s nephew, Kaden, since he’s the best man. The kid’s face is bright red as he awkwardly escorts my stunning girlfriend. Poor dude’s probably fighting a boner hard right now. I stifle an inappropriate chuckle.
Callum and Sloane’s sister, Rhiannon, go next. Then, Hugo and her other sister, Nevaeh. The last ones to walk down the aisle are Jude and Sloane’s niece, Lucy. My gaze finds its way over to Gemma. Her grin is wide as she waits. Dempsey starts down the aisle next, back stiff and movements rigid. I can tell he’s uncomfortable being the source of everyone’s attention. I feel for him. I’m definitely going to fight for an elopement for my wedding day.
Finally, the music changes and everyone stands up. Sloane, hardly recognizable with artful makeup and an elegant updo, begins walking toward Dempsey. Tanaka, arm hooked in hers, walks her down the aisle, his birdlike features emotionless. Sloane, on the other hand, bites on her pink lip as tears well in her eyes. Dempsey gapes at her as though she’s the most beautiful thing he’s ever seen. The moment feels special and I’m honored to be a witness to it. Maybe eloping isn’t the best idea.
Tanaka brings Sloane up to Dempsey and then leaves to sit beside his wife. Sloane and Dempsey take each other’s hands and face one another, both of them grinning. The preacher’s words are kind of boring and I find myself distracted once again by Bane, who’s now trying to escape Willa’s hold to get to me. After watching the spectacle for a moment, I take the baby from her. She mouths, “Sorry,” and I wave it away.
Bane stares at me, grinning. What a cute fucking kid. I hope me and Gemma make kids even cuter if that’s possible. We’re definitely having kids. A lot of them.
I catch Gemma’s gaze and wink at her. Her soft smile warms my heart. God, I love that damn girl.
Tate, with Beauty on a leash, walks toward the couple when the preacher asks for the rings. Everyone chuckles as Tate works on unfastening the ring box on Beauty’s collar, especially when the dog starts licking his face with earnest. Finally, Tate gets the box free and tosses it to Dempsey, who catches it effortlessly.