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Chapter One
Athena
Winter in LA is nothing like winter in Boothbay. The temperature here never drops below fifty during the day. Occasionally, at night, the temperature will drop under forty. Stretching out, I feel the other side of the bed, searching for Kris. He’s not there, and I sit bolt upright in bed, looking around for him. It’s then my eyes land on my wedding dress, and instead of panicking at him not being beside me, my heart swells, and I smile at the thought of what today will bring.
A knock sounds on our bedroom door, then it swings wide.“Good morning, beautiful. You ready to start the day?” asks Todd as he flops onto the bed beside me.
“So ready!”
Todd chuckles. “First, we’re doing breakfast. Everyone is in the kitchen. TB and Shannon have been cooking up a storm.”
“Poor Kris, he’s going to miss it.”
Todd stands up and holds out his hands to me. “Pfft! Poor Kris, my ass! He’s staying at the Waldorf. They’ll be waiting on him. He’ll want for nothing.”
“Didn’t TB stay with him last night?” I put my hands in Todd’s, and he pulls me to my feet.
“Yes, but he didn’t want to be away from Ashlea for too long, so he came back at five this morning.”
Walking into my closet, I put on the white silk robe Kris purchased for me when I first moved here. It feels so decadent on my skin.
“He’s going back, though, isn’t he?”
Todd links his arm through mine and guides me toward the kitchen. “Yes, Athena. Your precious husband-to-be won’t be alone for long.”
Kris’ home is enormous—five bedrooms, six bathrooms, a media room, a games room, three offices, two dining rooms, and a three-bedroom guesthouse. Most of the house goes unused. We spend most of our time in the kitchen which has a dining room next to it, and our bedroom. The master suite is so big we have a television and sofa in there.
Compared to my home in Boothbay, this is massive and feels like overkill, but it has the most amazing view of the sea and the surrounding areas.
“Finally, you’re awake!” booms Dad as he pulls me in for a bone-crushing hug.
“It’s early.”
Dad holds me at arm’s length. “Athena, you’re getting married. There’s no such thing on your wedding day. I promise you the day will go so quickly, your head will spin.”
Shaking my head, I sit at the dining table. “Good morning, everyone. Did you all sleep okay?”
Mom sits next to me. “Yes, honey. Even if your dad kept playing with the fancy toilet.”
“Betty! Don’t tell them everything!”
We all laugh at him, and Mom sips her coffee, shaking her head.
A plate is placed in front of me with bacon, pancakes, eggs, and homemade hash browns, my favorite.
“Shannon, I can’t eat all of this.”
“I checked out your schedule for today. You don’t have time for lunch, so eat up now.” Shannon wags a finger at me and walks back into the kitchen.
“TB, I can smell cinnamon rolls.”
My brother smiles widely at me. “Good nose, sis. I made two dozen. You want one?”
“Yes!”
“No!” yells Shannon. “You should eat what’s in front of you first.” I frown at her. “Well, at least eat the bacon. It’s protein and will keep you fuller for longer.”
Mom chuckles beside me, and I give her a sideways glance. “Thanks for the support, Mom.”
