Page 92 of My Not So Wicked Boss (My Not So Wicked 3)

While I bounced little Dane, who was already a whopping fifteen pounds at four months old—I swore Emma produced cream for her twins—I watched Emma nurse Shannon, who was petite compared to her brother. I longed to be in her place. Miles had asked if we could have one of our own, even though he said it scared the hell out of him. I couldn’t wait to accommodate him.

Emma smiled up to me, tired, but happy. “I’ve become a cow.”

Shelby plopped down next to her on the couch and began nursing Maribelle, who no doubt would grow up to be as beautiful as her mother. She already had the crown of gold and big blue eyes. “Think of all the calories you’re burning.” Shelby tried to put a positive spin on it. Shelby, who was already back in her size two jeans. We would hate her if we didn’t love her so much.

“I’m just happy I can drink Dr. Pepper again. The babies love it.” Emma laughed before she took a swig of her nearby drink. I think the first thing she asked for after she delivered her twins was a Dr. Pepper.

Jenna joined us with Elliott in her arms. His arms were flailing every which way while he tried desperately to escape. “I’m going to take this kid to his dad. Where are all the guys, anyway?”

“I think they are at our place,” Emma said.

“Ugh,” Jenna complained. “I’m not walking over there in my heels. I’ll call Brad and make him come here.”

“Tell all the men to come here,” Emma suggested, “so we can finish getting ready. And tell Brad to tell Sawyer I need my Spanx, like all of it. And nursing pads. That sounds attractive, doesn’t it?”

We all laughed at her.

My three best friends all took to staring at me at the same moment. I knew what they were trying to say. None of us could believe I was getting married. But more importantly, I could see in their eyes how happy they were for me. It meant the world to me. Thankfully, Jenna added some levity to the moment before the tears came and I ruined my makeup.

“I can’t believe you are marrying Mr. Wickham, Jane Austen’s bad boy. It sounds so wicked and yummy.”

Amid our laugher there was a knock on the door.

“Darling, are you in there?”

“Speaking of wicked, someone is anxious,” Shelby drawled.

I still couldn’t get over his accent. I rushed to the door and only opened it a fraction. Enough to see he was holding a white box and how ridiculously gorgeous my soon-to-be husband looked in his black tux that fit him like a glove. I wanted to reach out and pet him.

Miles tried to peek in. “Are you dressed?”

“I’m wearing a robe.”

“That is unfortunate,” he faux frowned. “Can I speak to you in the hall?”

“Isn’t it bad luck to see me before the wedding?”

“Darling, I don’t believe in that rubbish. Please, I have something for you.”

My curiosity was piqued. I slid out the door and into the hall.

Miles took a moment to take me in. “You are lovely. I would run away with you now, but I fear your mother.”

I was afraid of her too today. Last I saw, she was barking orders at the wedding coordinator, making sure everything was perfect. She had even dragged my sister into it. I was hoping to have Vanessa and my mom help me get ready. But Mom was so overjoyed that the day she thought would never come was happening—her daughter was finally marrying someone who wasn’t a loser—she couldn’t be bothered with trivial things like hair and makeup.

“Best not to test her nerves,” I agreed.

Miles held the box out to me. “I have a pre-wedding gift for you.”

I took the box. “Does this mean you have a post-wedding gift?”

He pulled me to him and held me tight. “Yes. It’s called the honeymoon. I hope you’ve packed little to nothing at all.”

“I can’t wait to unwrap that gift.” A week in Belize of only the two of us.

“Me neither, darling.” He brushed my lips before reluctantly letting me go. “Please open it.”

I lifted the lid to find a book, my favorite book. “When did you receive this? I thought it wasn’t coming out until November?” I set the box down on the floor and cradled the hardbound book in my hands. It was gorgeous. The cover still said it was a thriller with the cemetery cover, but in the background, there was a stone wall with a ray of light descending on it. It spoke beautifully to the theme of the book. I ran my hands over the title, Ascending Stones.

“This is an advanced copy. It came last week. I’ve been saving it for this moment. I hope you enjoy the dedication.”

I gently opened the book and carefully turned the pages. I was struck with the loveliest of words. My makeup wasn’t going to survive.

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