AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I had a talk with my mom about this and told her how you felt about having a grand affair. She completely understood and suggested we get married in the ballroom at home.”
“The ballroom?” she asked, her eyes wide as she turned the top half of her body to stare at me.
“Yeah, it runs the length of the house at the back, overlooking the landscaped gardens and seats about a hundred, I think. They only use it for very special events, the last time was for a wedding breakfast for Tammy when she got married.”
“But the tents at New Years?” she asked, confused as to why they’d hire those and not have their party in there.
“Apparently, my grandparents were married in that ballroom and my mom likes to make the distinction that it only be reserved for very special family occasions.”
“And she wants us to marry there?”
“No, if she had her way, we’d be at the Muttontown Club, where they socialize a lot. It’s where Tammy got married. Caitlin’s was at The Mansion at Glen Cove.”
“They sound so grand,” she muttered. “This isn’t my first…”
“Rodeo, I know,” I replied, smiling. “But it’s mine, and our last,” I wanted her to be comfortable and the alternatives my mom may have come up with would have totally overwhelmed her. “If we have it at my parents’ house, you’d have your say. Mom isn’t a difficult person, and it would save on the venue rental,” I teased.
Money was no object, but I knew it was important to Billie that our wealth wasn’t thrust in her face. If anything, I thought it embarrassed her at times. “Come on, it’s weeks away and we haven’t figured out any of the details except Colby wants to play a part in it.”
“Okay, one bridesmaid, Tricia, and your nieces can be flower girls, Colby can carry the rings, and Brock can … escort the girls. Your turn.” Her reply told me she had been thinking, even if she hadn’t shared her thoughts.
“Jenson … or Hammer for best man,” I stated.
“Won’t you consider James?” I stiffened at her suggestion.
“Are you fucking serious?” I knew I sounded aggressive.
“I guess, I mean forever is a long time and this decision is one you can’t change later. Think about it. You said you forgave him, was that a lie?”
“I can forgive, but this? There’s nothing to think about, Billie.”
“If you are really over Charlotte, you should be thanking him.”
“That’s not the point, it’s the principle of what he did.”
“And you won’t reconsider?”
“No.” My chest felt tight she would even suggest him.
“I want Charlotte there.”
I scoffed. “Yeah, as if…”
“I do, and I want Yvonne Fair singing, ‘It Should Have Been Me,’” she added with a chuckle.
My fingers found her waist and I tickled her. “You’re evil,” I jibed, but loved her response. When I considered how shy she could be, I marvelled at the noir humor that lived inside her.
“Only where Charlotte is concerned,” she turned and caught my eyes in another stare. “Please talk to James.”
“No.”
Immediately Billie pulled away from me and sat back on the tub seat opposite me again. She reached for her drink and took a long swig of it. “Okay, exactly how is this relationship supposed to work? It’s fine for you to get up in my business with Logan, but I’m supposed to stay out of your family affairs?”
“Interesting choice of words,” I snapped back, all thoughts of a romantic evening crushed at the mention of this again.
“You know what I mean. I’m supposed to trust you to make things better on my end, but you won’t listen to me when I try to do the same?”
“Better for whom? Me or James? This situation is different,” I insisted, feeling annoyed.
