Page 182 of Forbidden Billionaires: Vol. 2
“You really do. Regardless of Miss Flaky, it’s now my duty. And that’s all you need to know about that. Because obviously it’s going to be a surprise. And it’s going to be beyond fabulous.”
That sounded fun. I smiled to myself. So far these negotiations had been easy. I was just nodding along. “And what’s the third thing?”
“My favorite of the three. I get to come to the bachelorette party.”
“Why would you want to come to the bachelorette party? You don’t even like Daphne.”
“Because I need a break!”
“Okay…”
“And who said I didn’t like her?” he asked.
“Um…you. A bunch of times. You keep calling her a barbarian. And the devil.”
He waved his hand through the air. “I’m just frazzled. I’m sure she’s lovely. So I can come to the bachelorette party?”
Honestly that was kind of up to Daphne. Or one of her bridesmaids that was throwing it for her. And as James had so kindly pointed out…Daphne hadn’t actually asked me to be a bridesmaid. But I wasn’t really good at negotiating anything. I had no practice. So instead I just nodded. “Of course. We have a deal.” I stuck out my hand.
Instead of shaking it, he grabbed it and lifted it up to his lips, placing a kiss on the back of my hand. “Good.” He dropped my hand with a flourish and stood up a little straighter. “Now let’s plan this thing. Just because it’s a shotgun wedding doesn’t mean it can’t be beautiful. How far along is she?”
“It’s not a shotgun wedding.”
“Don’t even with me, honey. If this Daphne woman isn’t a barbarian, then she must be pregnant. It’s the only thing holding me together. Because that means I get to plan two baby showers. Just added a fourth thing. You’ll have to let her know the contingencies at your earliest convenience.”
I just shrugged. Daphne wasn’t pregnant. But at this rate, she was probably going to have to promise her firstborn to Justin in order for him to pull all this off. “Sounds good, Justin.”
He spread out an array of color palettes, bridal magazines, pictures of designer gowns, pulled out miniature tables to depict seating arrangements, and somehow managed to get sparkles all over the dining room table.
“Shouldn’t we wait for Daphne?” I asked.
“No. I don’t like her.”
I gave him a pointed stare. “We just talked about this.”
“I’m joking. Ha. Ha. Oh, James, you’re here too! Yay!” Justin stood up just as James walked into the room. “And yay for gray sweatpants season,” he added. “I’m a lucky man.”
I looked down at the sweatpants James had pulled on. He should have known better when Justin was around. I commented on them enough. Seriously…you could see every outline. Everything. I bit the inside of my lip.
Justin gave James a big hug and kissed both his cheeks. And then he giggled. “Your scruff tickles my lips. Best shave that for the wedding, yes?” He patted James’ cheek. And then the patting turned into more of a gentle stroking.
James just laughed. “For the pictures or for you?”
“Both.”
“It’s good to see you, Justin. Where are Daphne and Rob?”
“Who cares,” Justin said. “This is a great threesome right here. Come, sit next to me.” He sat down and patted the seat next to him. And when James didn’t move, Justin crossed his legs as he waited, drumming his fingers on his knee.
“Did you say something about breakfast, Penny?” James asked, ignoring the offer to cozy up next to Justin.
“Yeah, I almost forgot. The plates are in the kitchen. Could you grab mine for me?” I turned back to Justin. “Did you want a waffle too?”
He gasped and put his hand to his chest. “Do I look like I eat carbs? How do you think I fit into this number?”
His suit was indeed very fitted. I wasn’t sure anything was worth giving up carbs for though. What was life without hot bread?
“Coffee is fine for me. Another cup?” He handed James his empty cup.
