Sweet Reckoning (The Sweet Trilogy, #3)(33)

“That’s right.” Blake beamed. “I’ve been shopping for a small jet the past few months, and I’ve got one waiting on me now. It’s a beauty.”

“Nice,” Kaidan said.

There was a long lull in which we all kind of stood there looking around at one another in disbelief.

“So, yeah.” Blake clapped his hands and rocked back on his heels, seeming to think the awkwardness was funny. “You know what this means, right? Our little Anna’s gettin’ some tonight.”

Oh, my gosh! My face lit on fire and I could not look at Kaidan. I wanted to crawl away from the twins’ and Blake’s laughter.

“I totally hate you,” I said.

“Nah, you love me.” Blake tried to put me in a headlock, but I wriggled away and shoved him, laughing despite my horror.

“Get off, mate.” Kaidan slid his arm around my waist. “You’re just jealous you can’t have me.”

“That is the truth, brah.” Blake grabbed Kai and pretended to latch on to his neck. The two of them wrestled while Marna took my hand and pulled me and Ginger away.

“We should break up for the three-hour wait so we’re not seen with each other,” Marna said.

The boys got their acts together and followed us to the doors. We were all set to leave when I thought about poor Michelle.

“Guys . . . what are we going to do if she’s still out there?” I looked pointedly at Blake.

“She’s gone,” Blake and Kaidan both said. So, they’d been listening. Blake had the good sense to appear guilty while Ginger stared down at her thumbnail.

I opened the door to the bright, hot sun. Blake led Kaidan and me to the garage and handed me keys to a cherry-red convertible Mini Cooper. I couldn’t help the little “Ooh!” that escaped.

“Yeah, it’s cute,” he said. “I bought it on a whim, but it’s too girly for me. I was gonna give it to . . .”

He froze as we realized he was referring to Michelle, and we braved glances toward the twins just as Ginger yanked the door of the rental car open. Blake shook his head, probably cursing himself for the slip up.

Kaidan looked out over the clear skies, on alert. “Thanks, mate. Let’s get moving.”

“Yep. See you in three hours.” As Blake walked back to his front door, he winked at Ginger, who flipped him off before letting the tiniest smile grace her lips.

The twins drove away. Now it was just Kaidan and me. We stood there shyly avoiding each other’s eyes.

“What will you do for three hours?” he asked.

“Maybe shop, since I didn’t bring anything. I thought I’d be flying back today.”

It felt surreal to have a casual conversation when our lives were hanging in the balance and a huge event was about to take place between the two of us.

He gave me a shopping center’s name, which I put in my phone’s navigational system for directions.

“Cool,” I said.

More shyness.

“So, I’ll see you soon?” he asked. The blue of his eyes shone through strands of hair.

“Yeah. See you soon.”

“Right then.” He cleared his throat, walking backward now, away from me with a flick of his head to clear the hair from his eyes. I loved the way the sun made him squint a little.

I loved everything about this boy. And I was going to marry him.

Oh. My. Gosh.

I was about to marry Kaidan Rowe.





If I get married, I want to be very married.

—Audrey Hepburn





CHAPTER THIRTEEN





SKY HIGH



I went straight to the mall and stood in front of the lacy nighties. I didn’t even realize I was wearing a dreamy, dorky smile until a sales associate came up and asked if I needed any help.

Embarrassing.

I said, “No thanks,” and hurried off. Kai wasn’t the type of guy to be impressed by frills, anyway.

My nerves were building—jitters of the monstrous variety. Not the sickening kind of anxiousness the Dukes gave me, but precarious, dancing nerves that made me light-headed and giddy. Drunk on anticipation. High on Kai. Okay, that was incredibly cheesy, but that was the kind of mood I was in.

I kept an eye out for dark whisperers or creepy Neph kids. If anyone or anything tried to ruin this amazing plan of ours, my demon side would definitely be coming out to play.

I bought some travel toiletries and an outfit for the next day. Then, on a whim, I decided to purchase a sundress. I may not have needed a grand, elaborate gown, but I also didn’t want to get married in grungy jeans if I didn’t have to.

The white dress had a halter top with an open back, and it flowed down to my ankles in a light, silky material that made me feel pretty. I was glad to see that my bruises were mostly gone. I ran to a hair salon for a quick style, changed my clothes in the mall restroom, and got to the airport just in time. Shaking. My teeth were all but chattering.

The twins were waiting for me in the entrance. Marna let out an excited squeal and bear-hugged me, praising my dress choice.

“I wish Jay could be here,” she said.

My heart dropped. “So do I. And Patti, too.”

“Ah, Patti.” Ginger smiled, causing Marna and me to halt and stare at her. “What? She’s lovely. She’ll be sad to miss this madness.”