by C. M. Owens
“Wow. That was quick,” he gasps.
“Yeah,” I murmur with a grimace.
Oops. I flashed around to get ready without thinking about Jake.
“Let’s roll, sis,” he chuckles.
We race down the stairs instead of taking the elevator, but I let him win. He’d shit himself if he saw how fast I actually am.
“And some things never change,” he says while he struts his victorious stalk.
I just laugh while pretending to be out of breath as we walk outside. Suddenly a man in a blue blazer walks over to me.
“Mrs. Cole?” he announces questioningly.
I giggle at the sound of the name that will soon be mine. It’s fairly obvious that Devin is playing games right now.
“Yes,” I lie.
“I have the keys to your car. Mr. Cole said you would need a vehicle during your stay,” he offers in his very businesslike tone.
“Oh,” I say with surprise.
“Wow. Dude has it bad,” Jake laughs.
I smirk a little, and the man hands me the keys to a silver sports car.
“Holy shit. He bought you an Aston Martin Vanquish? How much money does your guy have?” Jake gushes as he goes to rub his hand across the car’s hood.
I laugh at his awed state as he speaks to the inanimate thing in a purred tone. It’s almost as if he’s trying to seduce the damn thing.
The blue blazer man disappears from sight before I can say anything else to him. Jake is almost groaning in complete envy as he examines every inch of the flashy new car, and I prop up against the strategically placed tree beside the sidewalk.
“Should I give you two a minute?” I tease.
“Yes, you should,” he sighs. “You don’t need this. This car deserves someone who loves driving.”
“You want to drive me to the inn?” I ask.
“Hell yes,” he pops off without hesitance, and he almost rips the keys from my hand as we climb in.
I pull out my phone and call back my overly prepared fiancé.
“Impressed?” he answers.
“Not as much as Jake is,” I snicker.
“I suppose I’ll have to try a little harder then,” he dares.
“Not necessary. You’ll be here soon enough, and you can impress me the way you always do,” I seduce.
“Gross,” Jake scolds, and I laugh a little harder as he cranks the car.
He giggles like a girl as the engine purrs, and I turn my attention back to the phone.
“I was certain that car would at least get a little rise out of you,” Devin sighs.
“Why? Since when am I a car buff?” I tease. “I just like hot cars when you’re driving them.”
“Seriously?” Jake gags out.
“You’re killing me here,” Devin groans. “Stop talking like that. I want you to be desperate to have me there. I don’t want to wait until seven tomorrow evening to see you.”
“I want to see you, but I still like keeping the build going. Is it all right with you if I give Jake the car? He’s absolutely smitten with it,” I whisper hopefully, making sure Jake is unable to hear.
“Yeah,” he grumbles. “I’ve got two or three here already,” he murmurs in disappointment.
“You don’t even know? Wow. You’ve got too much money,” I snicker out.
“It’s hard to impress a girl who doesn’t want anything my money can buy,” he gripes.
“You don’t have to impress me. You’ve already got me, so the chase is over. I love you, and I’ll see you tomorrow,” I giggle.
“I love you,” he breathes in dismay.
I put the phone away, and I turn to the ear-to-ear grinner behind the wheel.
“You really like this car, don’t you?” I ask rhetorically.
“No. It’s a piece of crap,” he sarcastically scoffs.
“Do you want it?”
“Please don’t do that to me,” he whines.
“I’m serious. Devin said you could have it if you want it. He’s got some more at home,” I say too casually.
“Oh, hell yes. I love your man,” he roars, and the engine mimics his excitement as he gasses it.
“So do I,” I add with a touch of corniness.
“I’ll let that slide,” he chuckles out. “This is the best day of my life in a car.”
“I need a favor though,” I quickly insert.
“Name it,” he says with a shrug.
“I’ve got a friend that’s going to be chasing one of my guy friends around. He’s a bit of a heartbreaker, and I need you to distract her. She’s going to be at the inn when we get there, and I think you’re the right guy for the job.”
“Is she a dud?” he asks suspiciously.
“Not at all. He’s just not very good with commitment.”
“Neither am I,” Jake snorts.
“You’re better than he is. Just help me out, and the car is yours.”
“Sounds fine to me. Dud or not, I’ll do anything for this car,” he crudely remarks.
I just laugh as he squeals into the inn’s driveway, and he roars the engine loudly one last time before shutting it off.
Dad comes running out, and his arms are wrapped around me before I climb all the way out of the flashy new ride.
“Hey, Daddy,” I softly chirp.
Then he grabs Jake to force a group hug.
“Both of my kids in one weekend. It’s a good day,” he sighs. “Where’s Devin?”
“He’s coming in tomorrow.”
“Jane and Clara are waiting inside,” he prompts, and Jake follows behind me.
I can see the sad look on Jane’s face, and I know Jace has already hurt her feelings.
“Jane, hey.”
“Hey,” she says with forced pleasantness.
Her eyes flash over to Jake, and a real smile spreads.
“This is my brother Jake. I was wondering if you would go with him to pick up the wine for tomorrow?” I nudge.
“Yeah. Sure,” she spouts.
I pull out the credit card with my name on it, but Persia is the one who is collecting the bill. I feel like a child with Momma’s credit card instead of a woman right now.
“Use this, and take your time,” I whisper.
She giggles a little, and Jake gives me a wink and an approving smile as they disappear out the door.
“You knew Jace was going to be a jerk, didn’t you?” Clara exasperates. I nod, and she continues, “I’ve had to hear about him for the past twenty minutes, and my head is absolutely killing me. I only slept for a couple hours before it was time to come here. How in the hell do you look so good?” she growls.
“Lots of makeup,” I lie.
She slept the whole ride to her house, and we got in just before dawn. I’m the one running on a couple hours of sleep, but I don’t need it too much these days.
“Well, I need your makeup,” she grumbles while sipping on her coffee.
I smirk as I walk over to grab me a cup of the complementary brew, and then I spew it as I taste the cheap grounds that were brewed too long.
I’m so spoiled.
“It’s disgusting, but it’s all they have,” she mumbles. “Have you forgotten your dad’s java?”
“Actually, I did have a momentary lapse,” I chuckle out.
A guy walks in with a bag and a carrying tray that hosts two cups as he heads over to the table we’re at. I smile as he places two coffees in front of us, and then puts the bagel bag beside them.
“Mrs. Cole, these are for you. Mr. Cole said you would need them,” he says with a chipper tone.
I laugh a little, and he turns to walk away. Clara grabs the coffee with needy hands, and she moans in ecstasy as she sips it.
“Oh I love Devin right now,” she moans.
“So do I,” I snicker out. “I’ll be right back.”
I pull out the phone while she sifts through the bagel options, and I grin when Devin answers.
“Well?” he smugly remarks.
<
br /> “You’re very clever. I am impressed.”
“The coffee impresses you more than the expensive car. Unbelievable. You still won’t see me yet?” he pouts,
“Nope. I’ll see you tomorrow evening,” I play.
“Fine. This isn’t the last you’ll hear from me,” he promises.
“I’m starting to see a pattern here, Mr. Cole.”
“You’ll see more,” he smolders. “I love you.”
“I love you. Now let me get our wedding ready,” I say with a mock scolding tone.
I laugh a little more as I put the phone away, and Clara continues to fall in love with the coffee in her hands.
“This is the best stuff ever. It’s like they brewed it especially for us,” she gushes.
“Devin is good. Now let’s find a new cake before the baker shows up,” I instruct, and she slides the design options over to me while she continues indulging in her hot cup of heaven.
“I’m very sorry for the inconvenience, and I’ll be sure to have this ready by tomorrow,” the baker cordially offers at the end of our meeting.
“Thank you,” I mumble as I lay my head on the table.
Clara pats my back, and then her newly rejuvenated voice chimes in with her usual perky tone.
“Let’s hit the stores to get you some honeymoon attire. Where are you going?”
“Greece,” I say with a smile.
“You’ve always wanted to go there,” she gushes.
“I know. I told you he’s amazing,” I say with a bit of sadness.
Now the aching I’ve been feeling is growing. It’s pathetic that I can barely go a few hours without him.
She stands and loops her arm through mine as we head out of the inn. Dad must be busy tending to business because he’s nowhere to be seen.
“It’s so beautiful today. Let’s just walk,” Clara says as we round the corner that leads us outside.
“Sounds good. It’s not like town is too terribly far away,” I chuckle out as I motion to the sidewalk that is just a few hundred feet from the first set of stores.
As soon as we fully make our way into the congested part of the city, a man jogs over to us.
“Mrs. Cole?”
I smirk a little. “Yes.”
“Mr. Cole asked me to bring you this, and he said to wait until you left the inn.”
My favorite stalker is now asking others to stalk me.
I laugh a little as I take the gift wrapped box, and I pull open the paper to reveal a velvet case. I shake my head as I lift the cover to find a dazzling diamond necklace and matching earrings.
“Oh my sparkling diamonds. He’s not holding back,” Clara gasps as she strokes the gems with a delicate touch.
I hand her the box while pulling out my phone to repeat the same conversation I keep having with my eager groom.
“Please tell me that did the trick,” he pleads.
“Since when am I a jewelry fanatic?” I chuckle.
“It was worth a shot,” he huffs. “What are you doing?”
“I’m about to shop for stuff for our honeymoon,” I seduce.
“Oh yeah? I’m a great shopping partner,” he prompts.
“I already have a shopping partner. I’ll see you tomorrow,” I giggle out.
“Fine. Love you,” he exhales in disappointment.
“I love you,” I chirp.
I put the phone away yet again, and then I follow the very impressed Clara into the store while tucking the newly acquired jewelry into my purse.
“I’m realizing that Henry has to start working a little harder. I think I’ve been letting him get by too easy,” she snarks.
I laugh a little too hard, and then I pull a daring little number from the rack.
“Oh yeah. You have to get that… is it a dress?” she wonders aloud.
“I think it’s supposed to be a dress, but I wouldn’t wear it out. I need something fully suited for the bedroom, and that’s it,” I say while motioning to the black, sheer gown.
It has a lacy bosom area, and then it splits the rest of the way down while the sides almost touch the floor. The stomach is completely exposed, and the dangerously skimpy underwear carries the same lacy pattern as the bust area.
The underwear seconds as a garter belt offering dangling clips to hold stockings, which I will also be acquiring.
“Wow. Devin will totally flip out when he sees that,” Clara murmurs in a whispered tone.
I’m sure she feels a little shameful for the indecent thoughts rattling around in her mind.
“Why don’t you get something to wear for Henry while we’re here?”
“I think I just might,” she chuckles.
It doesn’t take her long to find something a little more respectable.
We pay the cashier, and stroll out arm in arm. I see the street where we got into the first battle, and I get a little sick. Just a few miles down the road is where I had to watch everyone die.
“What’s wrong?” Clara worries.
“Just a bad memory. What’s next?”
“The flower shop,” she pops. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’m fine. Let’s hurry this along. I’m starting to feel the effects from last night,” I lie.
“Tell me about it,” she exasperates while gripping her head.
We walk two stores down to where I ordered the flowers, and the door dings too loudly for Clara’s head to withstand, forcing a comical scowl to her face. I chuckle lightly as a man comes to greet us with an obligatory smile.
I quickly hand him the list of things I preordered, and then I hand him my card to pay.
“Ms. Titan?” he muses while staring at my card.
“Yes.”
“Mr. Cole requested I call you Mrs. Cole and give you these when you showed up,” he says with a more genuine grin.
He hands me a large assortment of flowers, and Clara slaps her head in complete frustration.
“Henry definitely has to step up his game,” she scoffs.
I smirk as I smell the glorious beauties, and Clara takes them from my hands before I even have to ask her.
“Go call him. He deserves to be bragged on,” she sulks in envy.
My phone buzzes, and I answer it without even looking at the number.
“I love them,” I say appreciatively.
“Love what?” Jake laughs.
“Oh. It’s you,” I grumble.
“Wow. Love you too, sis.”
“Sorry,” I laugh.
I smile a little at his mocked offense, and then he continues.
“I’m going to hang out with Jane tonight instead of crashing at your place.”
“Oh?” I muse.
“Yeah. We can talk about it later or not at all,” he murmurs with a touch of embarrassment.
“Sure. Have fun, but take my wine to the inn first,” I instruct.
“Oh yeah. Devin left you a gift there. Where are you?”
“The flower shop,” I say with a smirk.
“Sweet. I’m turning by there right now,” he says, and then I hear the roar of the new car he’s found complete joy in.
Clara and I make our way through the loud ringing of the obnoxious door, and her eyes glare at the box overhead where the sound is protruding from.
“Damn bells,” she gripes, and I giggle again just before Jake hops out of the car.
“Here,” he says while tossing me a box.
I open it with giddy anticipation, and Jane is almost trembling with exciting butterflies as she mouths, “Thank you,” to me.
I just give her a wink before looking down at the present that makes me gasp.
It’s my tiara Persia sent me when I was a kid. It has been completely cleaned up, and all the tarnished pieces sparkle like new.
I feel a slight tear creeping up, and I nod to Jake as he struts back over to reclaim the driver’s seat. My fingers trace over the lines of the tiara in disbelief.
You can’t see a speck of age on it an
ymore, and the diamonds I had assumed were fake when I was a child cast their glimmer to show how incredibly real they are.
I suck back the rising emotion as I connect the call, and the soft voice on the other end is ready to talk.
“So, how many things have you acquired so far?” he says with a grin I wish I could see.
“I just got the flowers and the tiara,” I choke out. “Devin, it’s so perfect now. Thank you,” I murmur with genuine sincerity.
“You’re welcome, baby. I can tell I’m wearing you down now,” he seduces.
“You are. I’ve got more to do though, and I still want our moment to be epic,” I sniffle.
“Don’t cry, baby. I can’t enjoy playing if you’re upset,” he murmurs so gently.
“They’re good tears. I love you.”
“I love you,” he utters so sweetly, and I put the phone back up.
Clara walks over and tilts her head curiously. “What’s that?”
“I’ll tell you if you promise not to tell anyone,” I insist.
“Sure,” she says with a baffled tone.
“This is the tiara I got for Christmas the year I got the pink princess room. My real mother is the one that sent this to me.”
“Oh… Wow. I thought you sort of hated that topic,” she stumbles out with a little shock.
I’ve never spoken about my past with her more than the basics. I’ve always been rather private though with everyone except for Devin.
“I don’t anymore. It’s a long story, but I’ll tell you what I can one day,” I say while wiping away a tear.
“It looks brand new,” she murmurs while examining it.
“Devin had it cleaned for me,” I sniffle out.
“Aw. I swear he’s making the rest of the world’s men look pretty pathetic in comparison. That’s so thoughtful,” she sighs in a dreamy hue.
I smile a little and slide the tiara into my lingerie bag. Clara holds onto the flowers for me as we stroll into the dress shop.
“So what sort of dress do you want for the reception? I’m sure there were better options in New York.”
“Yeah, but Devin’s always with me, and I didn’t want to order one off the internet,” I say with a shrug.
“You know, I thought it was weird with how close you two always are, but now I’m starting to think my expectations for romance have been far too low,” she pouts.
