Page 153 of I Choose You

“Yeah.” I narrowed my eyes, thinking. “When you and BBB fall in love.”

“BBB?” She fought laughing with a mouthful of food.

I nodded. “Big burly balls. But that’s it. I’ll tell him at the wedding and hope he feels the same. I’m pretty sure he will.”

“Go get him.” She set her sandwich down and pouted. “Too bad Kody is such a jerk. I could be his date to the wedding.”

“Rena!” I scolded her. “The man refuses to settle with one woman for the duration of the night because it’ll cramp his style. No way. I wouldn’t want you to get hurt by his asshole tendencies.”

She slitted her eyes in a smirk of determination. “Oh, I bet I could handle him.”

Actually, you probably could. Still, I shook my head. “No, I’ve got hope for you. You’ll find someone who’s not a jerk by default.”

She shrugged. “I’m kidding. I’m not interested in him after the way he yelled at you in the office. I just wish I could go to a fancy event at the estate.”

I shook my head. “Kody’s company isn’t worth it. Besides, it’s not at the estate.”

“Oh?”

“It’s at a manor. Kaden says it’s really nice. Very big with lots of life.”

“The manor, or his—”

I giggled. “Oh, my God. You’re incorrigible.”

“Where are you supposed to go after?” she asked. “They have rooms there?”

I frowned. “You know what, I’m not sure. I know Mercedes likely has it planned out or something. She’s Margaux’s daughter. Kaden’s done a fair share of planning. Kody’s done none. But I think Mercedes likes it.”

“I imagine she’ll be glad when it’s over, though. Once you hop on those wedding trains it’s full freight speed ahead.”

“Oh.” I almost forgot. “This Vivian you recommended.”

“She’s wicked, isn’t she?” Rena laughed.

“Can I trust her with my hair?”

“Very. Once you get used to her, uh, brand of humor, she’s not so bad. I wouldn’t let you go somewhere I wouldn’t trust.”

“Thanks.” I still missed my former stylist who’d moved away—an Army wife.

“And speaking of hair appointments.” She grinned. “Shall we book you another visit for a wax?”

I laughed, then pursed my lips as I considered it. “What the hell. I’ll go to Brazil this time, too. He sure likes to have his ‘favorite dessert’ as he likes to call it.”

51

KADEN

All week long, Kody and I avoided each other at work. I managed to head out of the office when he came in, and he was wise enough to avoid speaking to me, using Pamela as a go-between.

“You better get yourselves settled,” she scolded me before I left the office at the end of the day on Friday. “Don’t you dare think about bringing this drama nonsense to your father’s wedding.”

I had no intention of doing that. Kody would likely sulk and brood and continue to be a pain in the ass, but I knew better. I told Brooke that I’d be out tonight, speaking with my dad and then Kody. She replied that she wanted to get a “head start” on some paperwork and would be taking her laptop home to do it.

Still, she knew I planned to smooth this mess out—or at least try to—and she promised to be ready to hear how it went in a goodnight call.

I got into my SUV and began the long drive to the estate. Dad had left the office earlier. He had to be home already. As I was stuck in rush-hour traffic, I had more than enough time to think and rehearse the best way to approach it.