Total pages in book: 79
Estimated words: 76782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
That’s an exaggeration, but Dominick did call me four times and left just as many voicemails. Add to that the dozen text messages he sent me. By the time I finally looked at my phone, I suspect they were piling into a car to take them all to the airport.
I shot him a quick text message and waited for his reply before I called the airline.
Being abandoned in Vegas by your best friend is one thing, but when your wife bails on you, too, you have a choice.
You can accept the inevitable and set the wheels in motion for the annulment that you know is in your future, or you can chase her down and get your ass on the same flight that she’s on.
I know I’m the last to board because the gate agent is tossing me a look that tells me I need to up my pace.
I do just that as I near him, even though my head is pounding because of this hangover that won’t let up.
Tequila shots are officially crossed off my list of things to do in the future. I’m never touching one again.
“Mr. Lawton, I presume?” The gate agent manages a half-assed smile as he scans the boarding pass on my phone’s screen before he glances at my driver’s license. “You almost missed the flight, sir.”
“But I didn’t.” I flash him a smile.
His gaze drops to my hand and the handle of the carry-on I’m holding. “Let me guess. You’re in a rush to get home to your wife.”
Dammit. The wedding ring.
I tug it off my finger before depositing it in the inner pocket of my suit jacket; my wrinkled suit jacket since I only had time to race to my suite, brush my teeth, put on deodorant, a splash of cologne, and a fresh shirt before I headed to the lobby to grab a cab.
“My wife is on the plane,” I tell him.
His brow furrows. “It’s Vegas, so I’m not even going to ask.”
“Good.” I pat his shoulder. “It’s complicated.”
“It always is.” He sighs. “I hope your stay in our fair city was everything you wanted it to be.”
“It surpassed that,” I tell him honestly. “I made memories here that will last me a lifetime.”
Granted, some of last night is a mystery to me since Gina and I indulged in more tequila after our quickie wedding ceremony.
We exchanged standard vows and rings before I kissed my favorite Calvetti on the forehead after Destiny declared us husband and wife.
“That’s great.” The gate agent motions toward the jet bridge. “Time to board, sir. Have a good flight.”
Here’s hoping I do. It all depends on whether the airline representative I spoke to on the phone came through. I asked him to seat me next to my wife, although he wouldn’t even confirm Gina was on this flight.
I happen to know she is, and with any luck, I’ll be beside her as we leave Las Vegas behind.
“Daniel?” Gina whisper shouts loud enough that it lures the gazes of the rest of the Calvetti family members on this plane.
I exchange quick hellos with Bella and Barrett before Arietta raises her hand in a greeting to me.
Leave it to Dominick to sit everyone in business class.
The man spares no expense when it comes to family.
“Daniel,” my best friend says as he pulls himself to standing. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”
“Me either,” Gina mutters from less than a foot away from me.
I’m standing in the aisle next to the empty seat that I’m about to settle into. Since the airline representative I spoke to did indeed work his magic, I get to spend the next five hours enjoying some one-on-one time with my wife.
I glance down the aisle into the coach section of the plane.
It looks packed from here, which means Gina has nowhere to go. She can’t escape my company until we land in New York.
“Switch seats with me,” Gina tosses those words and a frown toward her brother.
“No,” he says firmly. “Arietta needs me, Gina. I know you’re worried about her, too, but I want to be beside her.”
Leave it to Dominick to think his sister wants to switch seats out of the goodness of her heart.
“I have a few things to take care of in Manhattan,” I tell Dominick as I shove my carry-on into the overhead.
“I’ll take that, sir.” A flight attendant rushes over to snatch my garment bag from my hand. “Can I get you anything to drink?”
“Water,” I say with a grin. “Lots of cold water for me for the entire flight.”
Since he’s seated directly behind me, Dominick sits back down and grabs Arietta’s hand. “Sounds like you had quite a night, Daniel.”
“You could say that,” I say calmly, even though I married his sister last night.
I turn my attention to Arietta. “I’m sorry to hear about your grandfather. If you need anything, I’m here for you.”