Last on the List (Wait With Me #5)(114)

“Do we need more shirts in here?” Dakota asks, re-joining us now that she’s done with the customers out front.

“No!” we all reply in unison. Everly is addicted to tie-dye and is in serious need of an intervention.

Cassandra looks at me and smiles knowingly. It all started with an orange tie-dyed sweatsuit.





A Couple of Months Later



“Engaged to a millionaire and officially too bougie to wear my graphic tees,” Dakota gripes as she comes striding into the bathroom of the tiny house holding two glasses of champagne.

“Make a graphic tee evening gown, and I’ll be your number-one customer,” I call backward, smiling fondly as the image of my two favorite graphic tees flash in my mind.

Three weeks ago, I found Max and Everly out by the pool at night. The entire area was covered in these colorful floating lights. A guitarist was playing on the deck, and they had on these orange tie-dyed shirts that said “Marry” on Max’s shirt and “Us” on Everly’s shirt.

I burst into tears and said yes, obviously.

It may seem fast to some, but everything about the three of us feels right. Even my sister, who I thought was going to murder me when she found out that not only did I move in with my former boss but I was also marrying him, was happy for me. And Rebecca Barlow doesn’t do happy. My parents were just relieved I was working again. They don’t really get the whole millionaire thing. Not that that’s the appeal of Max.

I am aware he makes a lot of money. And he’s thankfully doing everything he can to hire good people to manage the extra work of his recent company growth. But that doesn’t stop me from needing to have a purpose of my own in life. I’ve just avoided fully informing my parents that my current purpose is in the form of cocktuterie boards.

They really wouldn’t get that.

They just need to know I’m happy and fulfilled and managing my stress as best I can. Stress is easier to shoulder with my new built-in family.

I finish curling the last of my hair that has grown freakishly fast the last few weeks and glance down at Dakota’s stunning floor-length gown. “Did you come through the house? Is everyone alive up there?”

Dakota hands a champagne flute to me and sips hers gingerly. “It’s chaos up there. You were smart to get ready out here.”

I nod and set my glass down on the bathroom counter. “Norah and her crew needed the Fletchpad more than I did. And her mother is kind of scary.”

“I gathered that.” Dakota laughs and takes another sip before adding, “It was really sweet of Kate to invite me to Dean and Norah’s wedding, though. This is going to be fun!”

“Kate is the best,” I reply honestly. The three of us have all really hit it off with the work we’re doing together for the bookstore, and I’m excited that Dakota is officially in the mix with all Max’s friends.

“And Norah is a stunning bride,” Dakota says with wide eyes. “I caught a glimpse of her when Max walked me through the house. She’s the most beautiful pregnant bride I’ve ever seen. Wedding photos and maternity photos all in one go. Talk about a two for one!”

Goose bumps erupt all over my body as I bite my lip and press a hand to my stomach at the mention of Norah’s belly.

“What?” Dakota asks, gaping at my hand pressed to my abdomen. She shifts her eyes to my un-touched champagne. “No fucking way.”

“It’s early,” I confess with a cringe.

“You are not knocked up. No way!” Dakota exclaims.

I press my finger to my lips. “Keep your voice down. There are wedding guests outside!”

Dakota sets her champagne down, props her hands on her hips, and bends over. “I think I’m going to be sick.”

“I’ve been sick enough for us both already,” I respond with a smirk. When has vomiting ever made me happy?

Oh…when it means a baby is growing inside me.

“How are you pregnant, Cozy?”

I shrug sheepishly. “Usually, it’s when a man lays down in bed with a woman and—”

“Shut up, you know what I mean!” she snipes, still clearly reeling at this new information. “I mean…was this planned?”

I chew my lip nervously. “Kind of? I mean…not fully. I went off birth control a few weeks ago because I read some crazy story about how it can take months to get pregnant after being on the pill for so many years. Max has made it very clear that he wants a baby, and you know…he’s older than me, and this is a subject we actually both fully agree on. So I went off the pill just to give my body time to adjust and…yeah…the rest is a bit more graphic, but I can share it if you really want me to.”

“Jesus,” Dakota hisses. “You’re my best friend, and you’re marrying a millionaire and having his baby! Suddenly, my life looks really fucking boring.”

“Shut up,” I reply with a laugh. “You have stuff going on. Have you made any decisions about that old house you want to buy?”

“No…and I’m not going to,” Dakota harumphs and then shakes her head and stands up straight. “Can we try that whole thing again?”

“What whole thing?”

“Where you tell me you’re pregnant and happy and I say congratulations and hug the shit out of you because I am really happy for you?”