Page 75 of One Hot Chase

Dad shrugs. "It was Tabby's idea. She thought it would be fun to show off our old hippie selves to your soon-to-be in-laws."

"In-laws!?" I virtually shriek.

The word "in-laws" echoes through the foyer, and I feel my face flush crimson. I shoot a panicked glance at Declan, who looks equally stunned, his blue eyes wide with surprise.

"Oh, sweetie-pie," my mother coos, pulling me into a quick hug. "We're just so thrilled you've found someone special. When Tabby told us about your whirlwind romance with this dashing Englishman, we simply had to come and meet him properly. You are engaged, after all."

Dad smirks and chucks my chin. "Relax, Bree. We're so damn happy that you've found your PC. That loser husband of yours didn't deserve you."

I feel the blood drain from my face as I whirl around to face Declan, who looks equally stunned. His gaze darts between me and my family. While my mouth gapes, Declan recovers first.

He flicks his gaze between Mom and Dad. "Ah, what gave you the idea that we're engaged?"

Julian inserts himself between my parents, setting a hand on their shoulders. "You underestimated the international grapevine, didn't you, Decky?"

"I don't understand."

"Ren sent Leo a text, asking when the wedding would be. He even offered to bring some Japanese food for the reception."

Declan's arm snakes around my waist, pulling me close against his side. "Well, darling, it seems our little secret's out."

Tabitha shrieks and claps. "Let's make it a double wedding!"

Spencer does a literal double take, and his eyes grow so wide that I think they might fall out of their sockets. "Double wedding? I don't see how we can pull that off in such a short."

"Let's all go inside and discuss the possibility." Tabby slides her arms around Spencer's waist and raises onto her tiptoes to whisper in his ear, "I know you can make it happen...for me."

Her suggestive tone makes it clear she plans on using sex to convince her fiancé.

I feel like I've stepped into some bizarre alternate reality where everything's gone topsy-turvy. My brain is scrambling to comprehend the chaos unfolding around me. A double wedding? Declan and I have only just gotten engaged. We weren't planning to tell anybody yet. Now, my sister has turned this into a twofer. My heart is pounding so hard I'm surprised it hasn't burst right out of my chest.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," I finally manage to sputter, holding up my hands. "Let's pump the brakes here for a second. There's been a huge misunderstanding."

But my protests are drowned out by the excited chatter of my family and the Wildes as they usher us further into the house. Declan's arm remains firmly around my waist, and I'm torn between wanting to melt into his embrace and wishing I could elbow him in the ribs for playing along with this charade.

Declan clears his throat. "Sabrina, darling, I think we need to have a little chat. In private."

I nod my agreement, feeling dizzy from the whirlwind of events. Our families file into the drawing room, chattering excitedly about wedding plans. But Declan smoothly steers me away from the doors and straight toward a quiet alcove off to the side.

"Sit down, please," he says. "It seems that we're not only engaged, but also becoming parties to a double wedding."

I groan, burying my face in my hands. "I am so, so sorry about this. I have no idea how they got that ridiculous notion in their heads."

Declan gently pries my hands away from my face. "No need to apologize, love. Though I must say, if we're to be married, I would've liked to have been consulted."

I can't stop the nervous laugh that bubbles out of me. "Consulted? You mean you're actually considering this crazy idea?"

He scratches his chin. "Well, I must admit, the idea of being married to you isn't entirely unappealing."

My heart does a little flip-flop in my chest, but I force myself to stay focused. "Declan, be serious. We can't get married. Not now. We barely know each other."

"Do we?" He raises an eyebrow, his voice dropping to a low, intimate tone. "I'd say we know quite a bit about each other, Bree. For instance, I know how you take your tea---Earl Grey with a splash of milk, no sugar. Or how you scrunch up your nose when you're trying not to laugh at one of my jokes."

A blush creeps up my cheeks as Declan's words sink in. He's right. We do know each other better than I'd care to admit. But still, marriage? It's absurd.

"Okay, fine," I concede. "We're not complete strangers. But that doesn't mean we should get married on a whim just because our families have decided we should do it."

He tugs me against his side and places a soft kiss on my forehead. "Who says it has to be on a whim? We could have a long engagement. Very long. Years, even."

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