Read Online That Wedding by Jillian Dodd - Free Book Online Page B

I loved her laugh. She told me I couldn't marry daddy because he was her prince. That I would find my own prince someday. I remember there were gorgeous flowers on the tables and a huge cake that had as many layers as my age. I think it was eight. We ate cake, and then my dad scooped me up and danced with me."
    I'll never forget dancing with my dad at that wedding. The way he twirled me around, the smile on his handsome face, how he seemed so big and strong compared to me, how I always felt safe when I was with him.
    "That sounds beautiful." Phillip studies my face closely then runs his fingertip across my cheek and feels my tears. "Are you crying? You never cry. The last time I saw you cry was the night of the funeral."
    I shrug my shoulders. "I try not to cry. I want my parents to be proud of me, so I have to be strong. And you've seen me cry. I cried on the beach in Cancun."
    "You were drunk."
    "I also cried on stage at our engagement party."
    He runs his fingers through my hair. I lean closer to his neck and smell him. Phillip always smells so dreamy.
    "Twice in four years." He kisses me softly and says, "You know, you don't have to be so strong. Especially with me."
    He's so sweet. I feel so incredibly lucky. Really, that's what makes me feel like crying. I love him so much, and I'm still so afraid of losing him.
    "You don't have to shut your emotions away. It's okay to feel sad. It doesn't make you a crybaby."
    I nuzzle my face into his neck and kiss it. "I know, Phillip. I love you, and I don't care what anyone thinks about our fast engagement. I can't wait to marry you."
    He leans back and smiles at me. "Do you really mean that?"
    "Of course, I mean that."
    "Hmm, well then maybe now would be a good time to tell you the rest of it."
    "The rest of what?"
    "When we move, I want us to buy a house together."
    "Well, yeah, it wouldn't make much sense to get separate places."
    "I also think we should be married when we buy the house."
    "But that means...."
    Phillip shakes his head. "Yes, that means we'd need to get married soon."
    "Really soon."
    "Yes," he says tentatively.
    I snuggle back into his shoulder and let out a contented sigh. "Okay."
    "Okay?" he asks with disbelief. "You're agreeing, just like that? No fight? No freak out?"
    I kiss his shoulder then up the side of his neck. "I'm done freaking out, Phillip. Why would I freak out when I've never been happier in my life?"
    Back in our room, I change into a sexy little nightie. While we're brushing our teeth, I say to him, "You know, we still haven't discussed what you're going to pay me. I'm very expensive."
    He looks up and down the nightie, which is a very sheer lacy thing, as in no lady parts are being hidden, only slightly obscured. "Yeah, I figured."
    "Maybe we should discuss my salary in bed?"
    "Oh, no," he tells me seriously. "I never mix business with pleasure. And if you're gonna work for me, there are gonna have to be a few rules."
    "Work for you? No way. I think I need to be an independent contractor or something."
    "No go. You work for me, or no deal."
    I put on my pouty face.
    He smiles, smacks my butt, and winks at me. "Now go get in bed, and we'll discuss your career."
    I'm pretty sure I can work this to my advantage.

 
    I wake up early. Way early. My mind is reeling over all I agreed to last night. I think about how I didn't freak out. About how I know Phillip's the one. About how I'm gonna have to plan a wedding fast. About how his parents are going to be the ones to freak. How his mom is going to push me to plan the wedding the way she thinks is best. How I want to plan the most amazing, romantic wedding ever. I was serious when I said I can't wait to marry Phillip.
    We're sitting in bed eating breakfast when I tell Phillip I have a few demands. "You know, I was pretty amazing about this whole change jobs, move to a new city, plan a quick wedding thing."
    "I was pretty shocked about that. I really expected you to throw a fit."
    "Well, I do have a