Page 48

CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN

Lola

“Why are we at Marcus’ house?” Wade asks me as we run up the front steps of his mansion.

After sending him a video of a fake interview Kali, which he thought was televised, where she announced she was pregnant, I flew through Wade’s door at Caulder Creek and told him that Kali was leaving Edmonton and moving to New York with his baby.

I coerced him into the shower, made him shave, and brought him a suit to change into, telling him she was having a going away party, and we were crashing it.

Which brings us to Marcus’s house. The venue for the big surprise, which he thinks is her farewell party. Spoiler: it’s not.

I’m about to see Jordy and I don’t feel prepared for that.

There is no way I am telling him I’m pregnant today.

This is Kali and Wade’s day. Not mine.

I reply to Wade’s question as to why we are at his father’s home. “Because he’s the one throwing the party for her.” I carefully hike my long navy dress up so it doesn’t get caught in my heels. “She did great things for his business. It’s his repayment of sorts,” I add, lying through my teeth.

I can feel his doubt slipping in. “I can hardly keep a low profile, can I? Everyone knows my face. Christ, this is my dad’s house,” he says, looking as scared as a caged animal.

“Oh, shut up. You’re making me nervous. Where now, Max?” I ask Kali’s driver, pretending not to know the way.

“This way.” Kali’s driver leads us past the cream marble sweeping stairway with chandeliers bigger than the Bellagio hanging from the ceiling.

“Woah.” Wade gasps looking up at the sparkling crystals.

“Maybe you’ll inherit this.” I try to lighten the mood.

“Shut up.”

I love how we are already disagreeing like siblings. It feels nice.

“Are you sure the party is here?” he asks, slowing his steps.

“It’s in the ballroom. Down here,” Max says, leading the way.

“The ballroom? Fancy,” I say in a high-pitched Bridgerton -style voice.

“What if she tells me to fuck off?” Worry makes Wade’s voice crack.

“She might.” I smooth my hands over the fabric of my dress. “You’ve been a bit of a dick.”

“You’ve changed,” he mutters, but I know he’s joking.

“I’m your sister. I can call you whatever I want now.”

“Is that right?” he asks.

“Yes. Sister privileges.”

“We’re here. It’s through this door,” Max announces, drawing our attention back to why we are here.

“Let me give you a once over.” I grab Wade by the shoulders and brush any small fibers off his suit using the palm of my hand. “Very handsome.” I stand back and admire him. “I need to pee.” I don’t, but I have somewhere else I need to be.

“Again?”

“Yes. You go in, and I’ll come find you. Try and blend in. Max, can you show me where the bathroom is, please?”

And I run to where I need to be. The place that is not a bathroom, but in fact, is at the front of the aisle, standing next to Kali’s two other bridesmaids.

Because this isn’t a party.

It’s Wade and Kali’s wedding.