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)
I laugh while I seriously contemplate doing just that.
“It might be fun to go to Paris together for the weekend,” she continues trying to sell me on the benefits of agreeing to this as we stroll down the sidewalk. “I could use help with other things, too. Randall has seen enough cakes in his life that he refuses to help me choose a wedding cake.”
I’m tempted to ask what that’s about, but I let it slide.
“In addition to the cake tasting, I booked an appointment to try a few different types of champagne, and of course, we’ll need to sample some of the best food the city has to offer, so the reception dinner is utter perfection.”
“Is it a big wedding?” I ask because I don’t know what else to say.
“No one from my side,” she answers solemnly. “Randall wants to invite some of his extended family, and he has a few friends he insists need to be there.”
I scratch my ear as words fail me.
“I don’t expect you to say yes.” She stops walking to face me. “We don’t know each other, but I just want to say it meant a lot to me when you paid for my dinner and the ice cream. You did it even after I told you I’m an Emmel.”
“Tonight was my treat,” I remind her. “To me, you’re Lottie Rushing. You’re someone who likes burgers and strawberry ice cream as much as I do.”
“Maybe more.” She laughs.
I join in, too. “Maybe.”
“You haven’t said no, so can I assume you’re considering my request?” Hope fills her green eyes. “We’d leave for Paris on Thursday night and be back by Monday night.”
“Work,” I let that word out with a sigh. “I’m not sure I can get the time off.”
I can’t imagine a world in which Mr. Hunt would grant me a long weekend so I can jet off to Paris with anyone.
“So, you are considering it?” She grins.
“I am,” I admit. “I haven’t had many adventures in my life, and this sounds like a big one.”
“You can choose a dress in Paris, too.” She digs her phone out of her purse. “I’ll pull up the designer’s site to show you his style of maid of honor dresses.”
The first dress I see on the screen when she flips her phone around is a beautiful floor-length, off-the-shoulder teal gown. “That’s gorgeous, Lottie.”
“We’ll find the perfect dresses, enjoy some of the best food in Paris, and if you aren’t comfortable staying in my flat, I’ll get you settled in one of the best hotels in the city. All expenses are on me. I hope that goes without saying.”
This should be a horrible idea, but I can only think of one thing. It’s something I’ve imagined endlessly since I was a little girl. “Can you see the Eiffel Tower from your flat?”
“Perfectly,” she answers. “When it’s lit up at night, it’ll take your breath away.”
I ignore my common sense and look into her eyes. “Okay. If I can get the time off, I’m in.”
“For the Paris trip or for being my maid of honor?”
“Both,” I say. “I’d be honored to be your maid of honor, Lottie.”
She wraps her arms around me and lets out a sob. “Thank you, Evie. You have no idea how much this means to me.”
I hug her back, hoping with everything I am, that I’m not making the biggest mistake of my life.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Reid
I answer the incoming call on the first ring because when my younger sister calls, I always make time for her.
“Happy Birthday, Melody!” I say as I walk toward the building that houses Vidori’s offices. “I didn’t expect you to be up this early. It’s not even eleven a.m. yet there.”
My sister is more than capable of telling time, yet I point out the obvious to her, knowing it will give her an in to tease the hell out of me.
Melody is six years younger than me and is determined to do more good in this world than I ever will. She’s currently enrolled in medical school in Denver. She’s giving it her all so that one day she can start her own practice as a dermatologist. I know for a fact she rarely sleeps past six every morning because she covets the extra time to devote to studying. Today is Friday, so she needs to be on campus in less than an hour.
“Some of us get up at the crack of dawn to do good in the world. Other people, who shall remain nameless, do less good in the world.” She clears her throat. “If I were naming one of those people, it would be you.”
Smiling, I picture her sitting in her condo with a wide grin.
The condo was a gift from me when she broke the news that she was accepted to medical school in Denver. It was excessive, and she fought me tooth and nail on it, but I wanted her to have a place to call her own and a spot where she could study and decompress without the added burden of roommates.