Page 153 of Heart Strings & Hotlines
“Do you trust me?”
She narrows her eyes, then stares at Kara with suspicion too.
“What did you two do?”
“Well, I know you have a lot of people you’d probably want to invite to your wedding, but how do you feel about a courthouse ceremony with whatever type of party you want after?”
“But…” Her attention bounces from my sister and back to me. “But we need a license, and someone to perform it. What about witnesses?”
“Those have been taken care of,” Rowan says, stepping out from behind the pillar with Sebastian and Elijah.
I hadn’t wanted to invite Elijah, the prick. I still don’t believe he did enough to protect my Charlotte, but Rowan insisted, and she’s annoying when she wants to be.
“Oh my God, Thane.” Lottie’s words rise in volume as she runs toward them, hugging Rowan first.
“You really want to do this?” Elijah asks. Stupid motherfucker.
Kara elbows me in the ribs. “Fix your face,” she hisses, as though I’m the problem here. “You can’t scowl at her brother for checking in with her. Plus, you look like you’re ready to rip his head off. So, again, fix your face.”
“First I have to fix my tone, now you’re telling me to fix my face? What’s next, my word choices?”
“That would probably be a good idea,” she mutters.
“For fuck’s sake.”
“I can’t believe you’re all here.” Lottie’s voice soothes my rough edges, and I release a fraction of irritation with her brother.
“Are you kidding? We wouldn’t miss it.” Yeah, Rowan’s voice hasn’t gotten any easier to tolerate. Sebastian must wear earplugs at home.
Sebastian hands Rowan a garment bag that she gestures with to Charlotte.
“You’re already beautiful in what you’re wearing, but I did grab a few options in white if you want to change.” Rowan is an impossible meddler. Then she turns to my sister. “I got a couple for you too, if you’re interested.”
What the hell? I just bought Kara three dresses back in the apartment.
Both of my girls turn to me, and I grudgingly admit that Rowan may have been correct in her meddling. This time.
“If you’re going to do girly shit, you’d better do it quickly. We have an appointment in fifteen minutes.”
Rowan jiggles the hangers in her hand while Charlotte clasps Kara’s hand.
“You wanna do this, kiddo?”
How did I get so lucky to fall in love with this woman?
“Yes. I can’t wait to see what she brought. If it’s anything like Seren’s recital dress, I’m going to love it.”
Charlotte meets my eyes and fills me with her calm. “We’ll be right back. Where should we meet you?”
“No, I’ll come with you and wait outside…wherever you’re going to change.”
“We all will,” Sebastian says, clapping me on the back.
The last thing I want to do is be alone with these two idiots, but I keep a smile plastered painfully to my face.I’ll do it for Lottie. I’ll do it for Lottie.
As if she can hear my thoughts, she winks, then hurries into the building with Kara and Rowan.
I’m right behind them, with Sebastian flanking me on one side and Elijah on the other.
