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Glancing around the room, I doubt his last statement. Most of the people spread throughout the first floor know Nate and our fathers. Years of living in Los Angeles has left me out of the loop. I’m nothing more than the daughter of Jonathan McQueen, even at my own party. Stefan and Parker are here, entertaining some of our co-workers. Parker brought Jess, who I hadn’t seen in forever, and of course, Stefan is hitting on anyone with a skirt.
Callie and Lola haven’t stopped chasing after him. They’re taking the best man bet seriously, though I doubt either of them will win. Stefan was pretty adamant about them being like his sisters. But hey, I could be wrong. They could get drunk at the wedding and make bad decisions together.
“This is our party,” I correct, squeezing Nate’s arm. “Let’s get through the next part, and then we can make our escape.”
Nate hugs me closer to his chest, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. “Whatever you say, wifey. After this party is over, I’m taking you to the treehouse and having my way with you.”
I love that he’s not afraid to show affection toward me in public. But is it only a show for the cameras? For my heart’s sake, I hope not. Another heartbreak from Nate would crush me. More like destroy me.
“You might have to carry me into the treehouse on your back.” I point a finger at my four-inch heels and sigh. “I forgot to bring a change of shoes.”
Nate’s handsome face illuminates from his smile that reaches up to his emerald irises. “I need to practice carrying you over the threshold, anyway.”
I laugh at his comment. “That’s a bit old fashioned, don’t you think?”
“Says the girl who loves Jane Austen and wants her man to act like Darcy,” he counters, steering me farther into the living room. “I thought you wanted all of the formal wedding shit.”
I suddenly feel brave, ready to open up to Nate. If I put everything out there and he rejects me, then at least I will know where I stand.
“You want to know something?”
“Hmm…” Nate cocks an eyebrow at me. “When it comes to you, Queen, I want to know everything. Don’t leave out a single detail.”
A warmth spreads through my chest from his words.
“Harley,” Callie says with a wave, flagging me down as she approaches us. “Are you ready to open your presents?”
Not really.
Peeking over at the stack of elaborately wrapped boxes and bags in the corner of the room, I sigh. I specifically told Callie I wanted our guests to donate to their favorite charity in our names instead of buying us presents. And yet, we have enough boxes to open to fill a Mack truck.
“Some of the guests are getting restless,” she adds.
“Because you’re denying the men real drinks,” Nate says with an attitude.
Callie rolls her eyes. “Bridal showers are for women. You can take the menfolk with you and leave if you want to get drunk.” She lifts her hand and gold bracelets jingle on her wrist. “Go ahead. No one’s stopping you, King.”
Nate tightens his grip on me. “I’m here for Harley.”
“Aww,” Callie says. “Look at Mr. Manwhore turning into the perfect hubby material overnight.”
“No fighting, you two,” I interject.
“You’re on in five.” Callie holds up her palm and wiggles each of her fingers. “I can’t wait to see your face when you open Jules’ present.”
Chills roll down my neck and back. Jules was in charge of the wedding lingerie.
“We didn’t label any of our presents,” Callie says with a sly grin. “So, have fun figuring out which one is from Jules.” She rubs her hands together, her body angled away from us as she looks into the room. “This should be fun.”
After Callie walks away to prepare for the next stage of this nightmare, I turn my attention back to Nate. We stop in front of the bar that separates the living room from the kitchen. He swipes two pink cocktails from a tray and hands one to me. Callie and the girls went a little overboard with their freedom to spend Nate’s money. I don’t know what he was thinking when he gave Callie a blank check and told her to make my day special.
From the looks of the décor and food, Callie and the girls had some fun. A five-tier cake that could feed hundreds sits on a table beneath a crystal chandelier. All of the alcohol is top-shelf but not what you would expect. Nate’s usual bourbon and whiskey are nowhere in sight. Every drink is either pink or clear and fizzy. We’re not even allowed to have soda or coffee for some reason. The appetizers are fancy: meats wrapped in bacon, pastry puffs filled with crabmeat, individual cups of shrimp cocktail, and even Kobe beef skewers.
