Page 133 of Four Fiances & I

“Son of a bitch!”

“Danielle!” Christian snaps, staring at her. Everyone else turns their attention to the woman, and she throws her arms up dramatically. This is followed by a string of curse words that turn the air blue.

“What?” she yells at him before facing Verity. “Love this for you, seriously, you deserve it,” she adds with a smile. “But could you have waited until she was on honeymoon? Do you have any idea what you have cost me!”

“What?” Verity asks, looking around. I lean in and press a kiss on her cheek.

“I’m personally over the moon you spilt the teabeforethe wedding,” I wink before turning to Danielle and Abbi, grinning. Walking away from the others, I pick up the internal phone and press Layton’s call button.

“Can you bring my winnings to the sitting room, please? Thanks.” I hear Layton laughing as I hang up. Turning my attention back to the room, I find the others watching me.

“Did you all bet on me?” Verity demands, stepping away from Travis.

“Yes, and because you can't hold your own piss, I’m down a thousand pounds!” Danielle exclaims.

“You were the one who was so sure she would spillafterthe wedding, but before the end of the honeymoon, you demanded that we up the stakes, twice!” Abbi laughs, taking a seat on one of the sofas.

“You bet a grand each?” Christian asks, looking at me with disappointed eyes.

“No. Five hundred each,” I shake my head. “It started at fifty, but she upped it to two fifty after the hen party. She went for double or nothing the night before the dress disaster.” I turn to Verity and smile. “Once we get back from the honeymoon, I have a hen party to plan.” Turning so I can lean my back against Christian's front, I turn my attention back to Verity and smile, smiling at the way all three guys are now surrounding her.

“That should cover our drinks for the night,” I wink as Christian pinches my hip playfully.

“Well, now the cat’s out of the bag, how about we celebrate?” Christian announces, surprising the hell out of all of us. He’s been so much more relaxed since going into lockdown. I guess knowing no one can get in or out, or even contact him is a weight off his shoulders.

Verity thanks him before heading over to me and threading her arm through mine.

“Who would have thought the Donavon’s and O’Reilly’s would be like this?” I ask, chuckling.

“Yeah, it’s a lot to take in, but it makes our lives a little easier,” she giggles.

“I’m so happy for you, not just because I’m richer for it, but because you deserve this.”

“We both do, Jaz. We are finally getting our happily ever after,” she replies before turning back to laugh at Travis as he opens a bottle of champagne he takes from Christian. Both of them grinning like kids as they start filling the flutes Christian places on the table in front of them.

“We really are, Verity, and it's going to be great.”

ChapterForty-Four

CHRISTIAN

The day is finally here, our wedding day.

The sun shines as the four of us walk out of the house to the large tent. Our wedding suits look great as we walk to the front of the aisle, where the registrar, Lucinda, is waiting for us.

“How are you all feeling?” she asks, smiling at us all.

“I’m ready to get this show on the road,” Maximus laughs. He’s been a ball of energy all morning. I had hoped the two bourbons we shared in the sitting room would calm him down, but I think it’s made him worse.

“I promise this will feel like it's over in a heartbeat, and you will wish it could have been dragged out a little longer,” Lucinda giggles. I don’t miss how her eyes linger on Jason a little longer than the rest of us. Sean and I share a look, and I know he’s noticed it as well.

“So, you all remember the plan? Christian,” she turns her attention to me and smiles. “You will be at the front when Jasmine arrives, and we will begin the legal wedding ceremony.” She glances down at her notes, obviously checking everything. “You and Jasmine have chosen the traditional vows for the marriage, which I will prompt you through. And we will have you both sign the marriage register.” She looks up, still smiling. “Will you want pictures of just the two of you before going to the next bit?”

“No, we will each have individual ones done after the blessing,” I answer.

“And you have here that Verity Stevenson and Terry Peters are signing the register as witnesses. Is that still correct with the smaller wedding?”

“Yes, nothing with the ceremonies has changed except the missing one hundred-odd guests.” What the hell had we been thinking, inviting all those people? This is what we wanted, small and intimate.

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