Page 91 of Deadly Misfortunes

“He was on his phone playing a game.”

Gregory shook his head. He couldn’t imagine being forced into the marriage, though he knew other cultures did the same thing. Still, he wasn’t all right with it. Maybe, as he got to know Aunt Meg and Uncle Jimmy, he could help change their minds.

“I doubt it,” Sascha said.

“I could be your silent partner.” Since Gregory didn’t even have to say anything, and she knew what he was thinking.

“I wouldn’t know what you’re thinking all the time, so we would miss out on a lot of conversations.” She smiled.

Once everyone got what they needed at the grocery store, they all walked out to the vehicles and drove to the guys’ beachside rental home.

Sascha shook her head as she got out of the car Gregory was riding in. “You guys are practically next door to us.”

Sascha was surprised they hadn’t run into the guys more often as close as the two houses were.

Gregory laughed. “Our bodyguards knew. Nick or one of the others would tell us when you were heading out and where to. When you were parasailing, we headed that way and got to watch you way up in the sky, but we made sure we were gone by the time you were walking the beach and playing in the water.”

“You heard what I was thinking!”

“Hell, I guess. We were at the ice cream shop when you ladies were headed there, coming in from the beach. None of your bodyguards warned us because they didn’t realize we were there or that you all were headed there.”

“Where else did you go?” she asked as everyone carried in packages from the grocery store and the guys began setting up to grill the food.

“We went to the birding reserve and saw the alligators, injured owls, and tortoises.”

“Oh, that sounds like fun.”

“The parasailing looked like fun.”

“It really was, but your sister doesn’t like heights and looked a little sick.”

“Yeah, she gets that way. I hate to admit I do too.” Gregory made strawberry daiquiris for everyone. “Where are we going for our honeymoon?”

“The Florida Keys? I’ve never been there, but I love white sand beaches and aqua water.”

“Okay, that’s where we’ll go. I’ll make all the arrangements.”

She was glad for that. She was always afraid that when she made big plans, she would screw things up. Like even the wedding, which she was trying not to overthink. She could have hired a wedding coordinator, but she was so used to doing everything herself on a limited budget that she realized she didn’t like giving up control over things that concerned her.

Her family knew how she was so they didn’t even suggest she get a wedding coordinator.

“If you need me to help with anything concerning the wedding, just ask me,” Gregory said, handing out daiquiris to everyone, though he gave a mocktail to Katrina.

Sascha frowned at him. “Now”—she set her drink down on a table and ran her hands up his T-shirt—“you are reading my mind.”

“And?” He put his glass next to hers and wrapped his arms around her back.

She smiled up at him. “It’s…weird. Katrina said she felt the same way when Prescott could read her mind. When we can do it, it feels right. When someone else can do it to us⁠—”

He laughed, his dimples appearing, and he kissed her mouth. “It will feel natural after a while.”

She hoped so!

They all sat outside on the deck overlooking the pool while the guys grilled the dinner. Then everyone began to eat their dinner.

Katrina leaned over to Sascha and asked, “Are you staying with Gregory the night?”

Sascha smiled. “No. Despite our getting together over dinner, dancing, and miniature golf, I want to be with you all for our bachelorette party. After this, I will be with Gregory all the time, except when he’s off managing his businesses or I’m working as Sascha the Sensation.”