Page 106 of Game Change

“Heath,” Colin says. “Brynne’s mother has passed away.”

“Oh,” Heath says. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know.”

“It’s okay,” I say. “Thank you.”

“You want to share mine?” That makes me laugh, and Colin gives him a gentle whack in the back of the head. “Uncle Colin the First has a surprise for you guys. And Uncle Milton thinks he’s going to be the best man, but I just know it’s gonna be me.”

“I’m so excited about seeing the resort,” Makayla says a few hours later.

Colin the First surprised us by reserving the entire resort for the week leading up to our wedding. He will fly all our guests there and host our guests for a whole week. I was stunned and speechless when he announced it, but my fiancé was not impressed. He pulled his brother aside, and they had an animated conversation.

“I’m happy you can be there this time,” Ian says to his wife.

Malcolm rolls his eyes but keeps his mouth shut.

“And you only have a short time to find a wedding dress,” Raven reminds me. “We need to get on top of that now.”

“Can we come too?” Lisa asks. She points to her sister Marilyn, who is standing next to her. “I love wedding dress shopping, and Marilyn knows a famous wedding dress designer.”

“Ooh, can I go too?” Heath says. I didn’t notice him standing behind me.

“You’re not going to shop for no damn dress,” Milton says. “For God’s sake, you’re a man.” Heath makes a face and walks away but doesn’t contradict his uncle.

“Um, I’d love that. I’m going to need a lot of help.”

“I know some boutiques,” Marilyn says. “I’ll have Lila book some appointments. Let’s all exchange numbers so we can get a group chat going.” Amira, Raven, and Lisa follow her, leaving me alone with Colin.

“Who is Lila?” I ask.

“Her personal assistant.” As far as I know, Marilyn doesn’t work. According to what I overheard from Heath the other day, she barely leaves the house. I’m not sure what she would need an assistant for.

I face my fiancé and take his hands in mine. “I can’t wait to marry you.” He gives me a boyish grin when I say that. “And I’m sorry I was a downer earlier.”

“Never apologize for that.” He opens his mouth to say more, but Amira and Raven run to us.

“Colin the First is going to give us a tour,” Amira whispers. “There’s an indoor pool, and he says Killah has his own suite here.”

I turn my head and look at my future husband. “You do? I want this tour, too.” I take Colin’s hand, and we follow Amira and Raven.

Chapter 54

Brynne

Things have been quiet. Much too calm for the past six weeks. In that time, I found a wedding gown, and my bridal party was tasked with finding a dress they all like. They couldn’t agree so they will wear different dresses in the same ocean blue color. Besides making decisions on flowers and food, the wedding planner and the resort handle everything else. I’ve never planned a wedding before, but the stress that all brides complain about has not been an issue.

The only problem this week is not having my fiancé with me because he’s traveling for work and meeting with a new potential client who specifically reached out to him to design a strip mall. He’s only been gone one day, but I miss him. Especially at night when I have to stay at his house alone, so I convinced Amira to stay with me until he returns. Raven didn’t like feeling left out, so she’s staying with me too.

Milton has been coming to the office more often than he was before. He came twice last week, but I stayed in my office the first time and was on a job site the second. After leaving the site, I worked from home. He’s asked me to lunch, but I decline each time. I only interacted with him at the family home, which has happened twice since our engagement party. When we’re there, I’m cordial, but I interact more with Marilyn and Lisa than him. I even find Colin the First more tolerable than Milton.

Oliver has been quiet. There have been no more calls from him or his mother, and that’s what I want, but I suspect it won’t last long. Currently, there are no court dates on the docket, and as far as I know, he has not been offered a deal by the assistant district attorney. I don’t care what they do with him. My main concern is that he leaves me alone.

Two out of three of my tenants have moved in seamlessly as I have a company handling everything on my behalf.

My phone buzzes, and Colin’s name flashes.

“Hello, Mr. Kincaid,” I whisper.

“My Honeybee,” he says. “I miss you.”

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