Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 79755 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 399(@200wpm)___ 319(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79755 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 399(@200wpm)___ 319(@250wpm)___ 266(@300wpm)
Parker glanced back at me and I rolled my eyes. “Ignore her.”
“Do you know,” Dexter said, “you’re going to be the third guy in our group to get married, despite Gabriel, Joshua, and Andrew being engaged for longer.”
We arrived in the kitchen and Parker handed out glasses of champagne. We were celebrating, after all. Sort of.
“Well, they’ve always been a little slow,” I said.
“Apparently Hartford and Joshua want a venue that’s booked up two years in advance,” Dexter said.
“You mean Joshua does. Why doesn’t he pay someone to cancel?” I asked.
“The kind of people who have their wedding at Claridge’s don’t appreciate a payoff,” Dexter replied. “No one in June would move, apparently.”
“London is nice in June,” Dexter said. “Not too hot. Less chance of rain. People haven’t started taking their summer holidays. June is good. I suppose that’s why everyone wants it.” Dexter nudged Parker. “Honestly, looking back, I wish we’d just eloped. Planning is so bloody stressful.”
Parker groaned. “Tell me about it. We’re not even properly getting married and it’s already too much.”
I shrugged. “Happy to elope.”
Dexter chuckled. “Words I never thought I’d hear coming out of your mouth.”
“Exceptional circumstance,” I muttered.
“Yes,” Hollie said. “You’re an exceptional man for an exceptional woman.” She turned to Parker. “You’re gorgeous, by the way. That blunt black bob and red lip combo is hot as.”
I leaned over to Parker to loud whisper in her ear. “American. She can’t help it.”
“Hey, Tristan,” Hollie said, glaring at me. “I hope to God you’re not saying that Parker isn’t gorgeous and I know for a fact you’re a sucker for red lipstick.”
Hollie had backed me into a corner and she knew it. Of course Parker was gorgeous but to admit that would be playing into Hollie’s hands. Before I knew it, she’d be trying to turn my fake relationship into something real. But if I denied it, I’d be lying and might upset Parker—neither of which I wanted to do.
“I’m not saying another word about anything because I know you’ll use it against me.” The doorbell went. “Saved by the bell.”
I glanced over at Parker to check she was okay that I left her to fend for herself. She nodded, her nervous tic—tucking her hair behind her ears—noticeably absent. I headed back out into the hall. Sofia, Andrew, Joshua, and Harford were on the step.
“Remember, we’re doing this so you’re all introduced before the wedding party so it doesn’t look weird that my friends don’t know her. You’re not meeting my fiancée.”
Andrew barged past me, not saying a word, and Sofia followed. “It’ll be fine, Tristan. You don’t have to explain anything to us. We’re going to make your girlfriend feel super-welcome.”
I groaned. Had they not all read the memo? Parker and I weren’t really together. This was not a real thing.
“She cooked, Tristan. Did you see this?” Hollie said. “This is like the second time I’ve been over the threshold in your house and the first time it didn’t really count because I let myself in to get that tool thingy Dexter wanted. This time, not only have you invited me, but I’m getting fed and being handed wine. I always knew you’d mature as soon as you got a serious girlfriend.”
I wondered if it was even worth responding. I needed to distract them all so they weren’t focusing on me and Parker.
“How’s the baby?” I asked Sofia.
“Urgh. I hate being pregnant. My feet are swelling and so is my ass.”
“You look fantastic,” Andrew barked, rubbing his hand over Sofia’s ever-expanding stomach. “Went for a scan today. She looks bloody beautiful even now.”
“When are you due?” Parker asked, handing Andrew a glass of champagne and Sofia a glass of something nonalcoholic she’d had delivered by Uber Eats about an hour ago after I’d mentioned that Sofia was pregnant.
“I have four and a half months to go. Can you believe it? Already some days I want to reach in there and get her out already.”
“It will go by in a flash,” Parker said.
“That’s what everyone keeps telling me,” Sofia said. “Hopefully the wedding will distract me. It’s only five weeks away. You’re both coming, right?”
“Wouldn’t miss it,” I said. Five weeks? Parker and I would probably be married before Andrew and Sofia.
“Tristan and Parker first,” Dexter said, reading my thoughts. He chuckled and helped himself to a top up. I was being the worst host. I just wasn’t used to people in my house for dinner. I was used to going to Beck and Stella’s or Gabriel and Autumn’s and having everything laid on. “And you said you’d never get married. I always knew you were full of shit, Tristan, but this just proves it.”
“Slightly different circumstances,” I replied. I’d expected a roasting from my friends about marrying Parker, and I didn’t mind their ribbing. I just worried Parker would. She didn’t know that taking the piss was Dexter’s love language. He didn’t need to tell me he loved me for me to know it. Parker didn’t know him like I did.