Page 65 of Nothing to the Wedding

“They like spoiling us.”

“That too.”

“Roxie, will our…”

Jane’s hesitation was cause for concern.She couldn’t have her friend go through with this unless she was completely sure.

“Honey?”she asked, seeking her gaze and stroking her hair.“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, I—nothing.”

“Ask the question, whatever it is.”

“Will our…” Jane surrendered.“Will our children be entitled brats?”

“With you as a mother?Not a chance in hell.You think Auntie Roxie and Auntie Toria would ever let that happen?Your children will be the kindest, sweetest… probably most taken advantage of, in the whole schoolyard.”Holding her friend’s face in two hands, she brought them closer.“Yes, Knox can be overbearing and stroppy at times…” that the same may be said about her was irrelevant.“But he will love you and your children with a ferocious fervor.There’s nothing he wouldn’t do to make you happy, and I mean that from the bottom of my heart.”

“Sometimes I think you don’t like him.”

“It’s a game,” Roxie said.“He’s the big brother I like to prod at.I secretly love him.We have spent a lot of time talking to each other recently, like a lot, a lot.You deserve an endurance medal for what you tolerate.”

“Rox!”

“And, hell, if it all goes wrong, you can always move onto his brother.Pick Cam, not Caspian.”

Jane laughed her away.“Roxie!”

“What?No one would ever know with Cam, and I have it on good authority he’s the real Collier prize.Though… hmm… he did renounce the trust fund.Maybe he’s secretly crazy, like the ‘dead’ grandmother or inconvenient wife in the attic kind of crazy.Given his life choices, that wouldn’t be a leap.We’d have to do a full psychological work-up before making any final decisions… Hmm, but…” she exaggerated.“Would make it easier to get power of attorney over his assets.”

“Roxie…” Yeah, sometimes playing was the easiest way to relax Jane.“You’re so bad!”

“Not bad, just considering your options.Once upon a time, Cam was a lady killer.I suppose Knox may have done his share of lady killing… Okay, homicidal maniac is not a good look when anyone could be watching.”

“Watching?”Jane’s panic hit eleven as her eyes darted around the ceiling.“Roxie, we got changed in here.”

“Yeah, and with a figure like that, you have nothing to be modest about.And, oh, yeah, your soon-to-be husband controls most every kind of media there is.And we have Roux, who can make Rourke do anything.”

Wouldn’t be the first time Rourke had gone in a digital back door to erase pictures or videos… or the entire conversation history of certain peoples.Did he help Knox with that whole getting London Guy locked up?She’d ask one of them later when there were a few less bottles of champagne.

“I don’t want him seeing me naked.”

“Relax, honey, all the cameras are elsewhere today.This body is only eyes on for Knox.After today you’ll be a respectable married woman.Faithful.Committed… in numerous senses of the word.”

The width of Jane’s smile grew as her knees bent in a bounce, and, of course, being Jane, she couldn’t help but squee.

“When I woke up this morning, I had no idea… No… I’m getting married today.”And the excitement faltered.“My mom was just… I don’t think she believes it either.”

“Don’t worry about her,” Roxie said.“Knox spoke to her.And all the seating plans have been amended to get them up front.Everything will be perfect, I promise.”

“I’m terrified,” Jane admitted, snatching her hands.“All those people out there…”

“Focus on Knox, he’ll be out front waiting.”

“And my dad… Did someone explain—”

“He’s ready and willing to walk you down the aisle.”

“Are we going together?”