Page 52 of Bought By Three Men

“Okay, I don’t have too long. Maybe a few hours. I can clear my schedule for the next few days. The wedding is on Sunday, right?” Tasha was already scribbling away on the paper.

“No, Saturday,” I whispered. Would there be enough time to get it all done?

“Yikes, okay. I have thrown galas in less time. We can do this. Do you have an invite list?” She chewed on her pen.

“Um, everyone here?” Who else would there be?

“This is the wedding party. You need guests. When you walk down that aisle, you want all eyes on you.” She reached out and caressed a lock of my hair. “Not that that would be hard. You are stunning.”

“So, who do we invite?” This was way more complex than I was prepared for.

“All of New Boston.” She waved her hands in the air. “It’ll be the greatest event since the Cartright wedding. Oh, they married a homeless person too. Maybe we can play off that.”

“Ava has everyone here that she would invite. Why don’t we ask the grooms who they want to invite.” Dottie scooted her chair closer to Tasha and looked at her paper.

“Great idea!” Tasha pulled out her phone again. What was she doing, texting them? “You’re marrying three, right? Who is the third?”

“Aside from Ethan and Tristan, there’s a man named Adam Gould.” I looked down. Adam should have never bought me. I didn’t like him, and he obviously didn’t like me.

“Gould? Gould?” Tasha tapped her chin. “Oh, I know his brother Zack. Talk about amazing in bed. If Adam is hung anything like his brother, you are in luck.”

Heat rose to my cheeks. “I have no desire to be in luck with Adam.”

“Well, you have to sleep with him, so hope it’s enjoyable.” Tasha looked at her phone. “Okay, Tristan said his secretary will send over a list.”

Felix glanced at me and looked toward the door. We had to find a way to sneak out. Tasha was so excited about planning the wedding, I wasn’t sure she would let us go. At least not until she had to leave. Which meant there was a high chance Ethan would finish up and come back. He would not be cool with me wanting to go fight.

“Ethan said he will make a list.” Tasha’s phone dinged. “His father said let’s not try and embarre…nevermind. It doesn't matter what he says.”

“What did he say?” Dottie asked.

“Let’s not embarrass Ethan by inviting people.” Tasha grabbed my hand. “Don’t let him get to you. He is old school. He doesn’t see the world changing.”

“Changing?” I didn’t get what she was talking about.

“Yeah, you have to see it. Our ancestors suppressed the poor after World War Four. Pushed them onto the streets. They tried to eradicate them all.” Tasha gripped my hand tighter. “But the homeless are rising. It began when you guys started making tents to live in. Then when elites took pity on you guys and started bringing back apartments. It scares Mr. Moore.”

“First, how do you know all that?” I pulled my hand away. I knew some of our history, everyone did. But Tasha appeared very knowledgeable. “Second, why would that scare him?”

“I’m a history professor at Bale University. I know, I don’t look it. Anyway, it scares him because the homeless have the power to shift the economic status of people. Let me not even get into the government part.” Tasha tapped her paper. “Wedding stuff. Let’s plan this, shall we?”

Never would I have guessed she was a professor. I inspected my bubblegum nails, no one would expect me to be a fighter. I tried to push aside what she said about Mr. Moore. He had billions, it shouldn’t have mattered what a few homeless people had. No matter what happened economic wise, he would remain on top.

Sandy stood and went to the bathroom. Thirty seconds later, Dottie stood and followed her. I debated going with them so I could fill Dottie in on our plan.

“Do you plan on wearing white? I know it won’t be a for sure thing until you meet with Frizzo, but a general idea would be cool.” Tasha went back to planning as if she never spoke of war and economics.

“That or maybe a champagne color.” I wanted something neutral, so my hair really shined. If I had time, I would borrow or make some jewelry to accentuate the dress. Oh, I could pick some flowers for my hair. When I was little, I read Cinderella, and that was exactly how I felt.

“Okay, good. We could do any color for the bridal party, and it wouldn’t clash.” Tasha checked her phone.” Okay, Adam said, just his grandparents and a guy named Brian. Bummer, I was hoping Zack would come and I could get a little wedding night action as well. Not that I’m interested in men anymore, really I would just be recycling him.”

“You have Adam’s number? Can I see your phone?” I had some things to say to him.

“Yeah, from Zack. Here. Just clock on his pic, type, and hit send. Sorry, I’m sure you know how to work it.” She handed over her phone.

I didn’t know how to use it. Dottie was the tech-savvy one.

Adam

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