“I still have my teaching credentials. I’ll need to do some upskilling, but it’s a good place to start.”
I give her a skeptical look. “What made this come about?”
“Honestly, you.” She gestures for us to sit down and Andi joins us. “It’s not the same. And I don’t mean that in a bad way. The team is great. It’s just not the same. And then I see you here with your family and I realize how much I miss mine."
Andi smiles at her. “You want to move back to Seattle?”
“It’s my home.” Cassie smiles. “I could see myself teaching and making a life here permanently”
I give her a big hug and start crying. “It’ll be good to have you here. You can protect me from Andi’s interference.”
“Hey.” Andi scowls at me.
“Nothing’s decided yet.” She pats my back. “I’ll definitely need to finish out the season before I can move back.”
“This is so exciting.”
Lilly and my sister join us, effectively squeezing us onto the three-seater couch. Before long Lia and her sister and both sisters-in-law join us too. That’s right, people. Pop singer, Starla is at my bachelorette party. One of the servers moves another couch around so we can all sit comfortably. We’re all having a great time, joking with one another, shuffling elbows and teasing one another.
“Are you two going on a honeymoon? Or a babymoon?” Lilly asks. “I mean you want to take some time before the baby gets here.”
“Yeah, we’re off to France for a week.” I am so excited about finally getting a stamp in my passport, I would’ve gone anywhere, but France… yeah, my man is rather romantic. “Justin can’t take too much time off. But he agreed that we need to get away.”
I think Justin just wants to visit all the bakeries in France but hey, whatever makes him happy.
Andi nods at the entrance to the club. “The boys have arrived. The evening is about to get rowdy.”
“Oh my.” Cassie stares as the group of men walk toward us. “They’re quite a sight.”
“Besides the three that I’m related to, it is a sight to behold.” Andi sounds so casual, but I know she’s only looking at one man.
“Good evening, ladies.” Denver says. “Sorry to crash the party, but Justin was missing his fiancé.”
“I was.” Justin pulls me off the couch and kisses me. Thoroughly. And the world around me disappears.
Someone clears their throat. Blake raises a brow. “Mind introducing us?”
“Oh, sorry. Just keep in mind that they’re off limits.” Blake is a player and hardly ever in the country. I don’t want him messing with my friends.
I introduce everyone and I swear Blake’s eyes linger for just a little too long on Cassie. I put it out of my mind. I warned him. Besides, Cassie’s an adult and knows how to handle herself. She’ll put Blake in his place.
I’m more intrigued by what’s happening on the other end of the couch. Denver casually took Andi’s drink from her, took a big gulp then handed it to her. It seems so innocent, and I wouldn't put too much stock in it. Except that’s not all that’s happening. I wonder if he realizes that he’s twirling her hair in his fingers. Does she even know it’s happening?
Justin catches my eye and winks. I subtly nod in the direction of Andi and Denver. He just smiles. I wonder if he knows what happened between them all those years ago. I wonder if he realizes what might actually happen tonight. I doubt it, he wouldn’t be so calm if he did.
He lowers his mouth to my ear, his breath sending shivers down my spine. “Do you think we can get out of here early?”
I shake my head. “They’re all here for us. And besides, you encouraged all this nonsense. If I remember correctly, I was the only one who protested this whole vow renewal weekend.”
“I just want us to experience everything.”
“Easy for you to say. You’re not the one who can’t drink. Though, I don’t think I’ll actually need the alcohol. At least my mother’s not involved tonight.”
“They just want to celebrate with us.” I hate it when he makes sense. “Before long it will all be over. And we’ll be glad we indulged them when we need a babysitter.”
“Stop being so right.” I frown at him. “You make it hard to be unreasonable”
He pulls out a chair and sits down, making me comfortable on his lap. “Besides, I’m having fun. And I can see you are.”
“I suppose I am.” I nuzzle further into his lap letting my ass move over his erection. “I actually missed this when I was in Las Vegas. I mean Cassie and Lilly are like family to me, but I missed this. Big, rowdy family gatherings.”
“Me too.” He tries to adjust himself. “And if you don’t stop doing that we will leave immediately, and everyone will know what we’re going off to do.”
Justin
We did leave early. There’s only so much a man can take before he needs to be inside his woman. One of the symptoms of Angela’s pregnancy is that she’s always horny. Like rushing home from work during lunch horny.
I understand why some men want to keep their wives pregnant. Except mornings. With her morning sickness, the last thing she wants is me anywhere near her, except to hold her hair back. This morning was no different. It’s her second-wedding day and she refuses to start getting ready until she’s spent some time with her head over the toilet bowl. Like clockwork, at eight-fifty she dashed from the bed to the bathroom and spent the next twenty minutes in there. And then it was all done, and she looked as good as always.
Only then did we go our separate ways to get ready. She’s in one of the dressing rooms at the hotel we’re using for this shindig. I’m using a smaller room outside the chapel. We aren't using the actual chapel. Angela’s only input in this whole thing is that she wanted an outdoor ceremony. Andi made it happen.
I try to adjust the knot in my tie but it’s not working.
“Here, let me.” Michael says. “Are you nervous to be…whatever this is… with my sister.”
“No.” I’m not. I’m already married to her. In the eyes of the law we’ve been married for months. “Or maybe, I mean this is different. It’s for you guys. Our friends and family.”
“Just make her happy, dude.” He straightens my knot and lowers the collar again. “You two deserve to be together. And I cannot think of a better man for my little sister.”
“Thanks man. That means a lot.”
The door swooshes open and Denver walks in with Blake. “Dude, you clean up nicely.”
“I wear a suit every day. You’ve seen me at work.”
“Yeah, but this is a fancy suit.” He looks me up and down again. “Besides, you’re marrying my sister.”
“I am married to your sister.” I’m beginning to sound like Angela. “Where’s Dylan?”
It seemed like a good idea to have my brother and cousin as well as Denver and Michael stand up as my groomsmen. Since Angela wanted four bridesmaids, it worked out well. Even if they’ve been a pain in my ass all morning.
“Ushering the rest of the guests.” Blake was smiling like a Cheshire cat. No doubt he got laid last night.
“What happened after Angela and I left last night.”
“Michael left with one of those girls at the bar.” Denver shuffles his feet not meeting any of our eyes. “I left before Blake so I can’t tell who warmed his bed.”
“Wait. So all of you got laid last night?” I’m impressed. It’s been a while since that happened.
Denver fidgets with his tie “I never said I got laid.”
“Yeah, but we all know you did.” Blake’s not smiling at him. But he’s not angry. “We’re not blind.”
“I don’t want to talk about it.”
I put my hand on his shoulder. “That’s good, because I really don’t want to hear about it. I just hope you both know what you’re doing.”
Denver rolls his eyes. “Just don’t make a big deal about it, please. And it won’t happen again.”
“Is that what you sa
id in high school and then again in college?” I can’t help messing with him.
“You knew?”
Blake and Michael burst out laughing, Blake speaks up. “Everyone knew. Okay, I didn’t know about high school at the time, otherwise I would’ve kicked your ass. But yeah, we all knew. Bridget has a big mouth.”
Michael tilts his head and looks at Denver. “Why won’t it happen again? I mean, I don’t think what you two are doing is exactly healthy, but I think you’ve proven that saying it won’t happen again doesn’t make it so.”
“I don’t want to talk about it. It just won’t happen again.”
Oh fuck. I decide it’s time for a subject change and look at Blake. “I’m surprised you’re not bragging about whoever you were with.”
Of all of them, Blake had the most active sex life and he never failed to talk about it. “A gentleman never tells.”
“Since when are you a gentleman?” Michael cocks a brow. “Retelling your sexcapades is your second favorite pastime.”
“I think Europe has had that effect on me.”
Yeah right. Either he doesn’t want us to know who he was with, or he wasn’t with anyone. I’m thinking it’s the former. And if that’s the case, do I really want to know? Besides, if he’s learning some discretion, it can’t be a bad thing.
Dylan pops his head into the room. “Guys, they’re nearly ready. Justin, your wife looks hot.”
I smile. There’s no point in getting all caveman on him. My wife is hot and she’s marrying me. Is married to me, I mean.
We walk to the front of the chapel. My grandfather and June are sitting in the front row. Wyatt and his brothers and their wives take up the next row.
On the other side is Angela’s mother along with her two younger brothers. Her grandparents are also there as well as some of her cousins.
The processional music starts, and Bridget walks up the aisle in a navy-blue strapless dress that falls to her knees. Andi’s next wearing an identical dress. Lilly and Cassie walk up the aisle respectively.
I look back down the aisle. And there she is. A pure white dress. It’s fitted over her breasts, which have grown substantially in the last few weeks, and flows down to her knees. It’s similar to the bridesmaids’ dress but also a little different. I just can’t tell how.
As she walks up the aisle, I only have eyes for her. That woman. That beautiful, smart, kind, sexy woman is mine. She could have any man she wanted, and she chose me. I give a quick look at the three men standing next me. They may not appreciate it, but I wish this for all of them.
The With Me in Seattle Universe
To learn more about The With Me in Seattle Universe, click here:
https://www.ladybosspress.com/with-me-in-seattle
Also by Bailie Hantam
The Cooper Brothers
Breaking Her Defences
Building Her Forever
Winning Her Affection
The Lunchtime Sorority
Loving The Game
The World of Rebellion
Stolen (Short Story)
The Agency/Boudreaux Universe
Easy To Remember
About the Author
Bailie Hantam, hails from sunny South Africa. She has been writing stories from as early as she can remember. After deciding to take it seriously six years ago she finally hit publish in March 2019. She writes both Contemporary and Paranormal Romance with protective, confident men and sassy independent women.
She is blessed to have a very supportive family, who have encouraged her every step of the way. She's a series binger (of both books and screen); a stationary hoarder and a lover of dessert. When she's not writing you can usually find her curled up next to her two border collies either reading or writing in her journal.
Stay in touch with Bailie
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Acknowledgments
I would like to start off by thanking Kristen and the Lady Boss Press. After discarding my original idea for this book, I came up with this idea at the last minute. Thanks, Kristen for enduring my text notes as I came up with the ideas while out walking my dogs. It remains an honour and pleasure to work with you and all the authors that have come on board.
To Stephen, San, and Nikita. I couldn’t do this without you. Your unwavering love and support gets me through the days when the words won’t come. Thank you for the encouragement and understanding.
Tracy, Catherine and the MGO team. I finished it!! Thank you for all that you do. For putting up with my late-night musings and tantrums and even when I’m being unreasonable.
To the Married With Me Team:
Rosie and Zita. This book would still be in rough draft if it weren’t for two. Thanks so much.
To my betas, thank you for reading this at the last minute. For cheering me on and making me look so good.
Thank you, guys.
To my readers. Thank you for your ongoing support. All of this would mean nothing without you guys. Here’s to many more HEAs together
Bailie
Married With Me: A With Me In Seattle Universe Novel Page 14
