Mine to Take (Southern Weddings #5)(22)

It’s a table with a black tablecloth and all the vases are clear with bling on them. The black-and-white plates in the middle have a black napkin inside of those rings that holds them together, again full of diamonds. “Now this,” Helena declares, “is what we were looking for.”

Sofia makes the mistake of looking up at me, waiting for me to say something, but instead I just look down at the table. There is chattering going on around me, but I just stare at the table setting. “I don’t even think we need to see number three,” I hear Helena say from beside me. Even though she walks over to the third table, but I don’t, I just look from the first table to the second. Knowing I would never choose any of this.

“Okay, so I’ll work on that,” I hear Sofia say. “And I’ll send you a couple of decorations that would add more bling,” she says, and I can’t even begin to think about more bling.

“Also, I would love the dance floor to be in white and our initials in black,” Helena adds and Sofia nods at her as she makes a note.

“Sounds good,” Sofia assures her as we walk back to the waiting area. “I’ll work on that and send you guys the prices for each of those so you can look at them. Again, everything can be modified.”

“Thank you so much!” Helena shrieks and claps her hands together all happy. “We will wait for your email.” She turns to me. “Do you want to add anything?”

“No, I think I’m good,” I reply, looking back at Sofia who is just standing there. “See you soon.” I nod at her and walk out into the hot breeze.

“What is your problem?” Helena hisses out once we get to her car.

“I don’t have a problem,” I tell her, annoyed. “It’s just too much,” I finally say, and she rolls her eyes at me and folds her arms over her chest.

“Happy wife, happy life,” she states. “Now, where are we going to eat?”

“I’m going home,” I tell her. “I have an early morning.” For the first time in our relationship, I lie to her.

“Ugh, fine,” she pouts, “I’ll go home and do more wedding planning.”

“Okay,” I say, leaning and kissing her lips before walking to my car.

“You’ve become so quiet lately,” Helena says, right before I get in my car.

“Have I?” I ask, waiting for her to ask me why. Waiting for her to ask me if I’m okay, but she doesn’t, instead she just nods her head.

“Yes, and I don’t like it.” She turns and walks over to her car. “Don’t ruin this experience for me.” She gets into her car and takes off, leaving me staring at her taillights. I look toward the office, seeing a light on and wondering if I should go and talk to her. But just like two years ago, I turn around and walk away.





sofia





I’m standing in the conference room, going over different flower pictures in front of me. “Knock, knock, knock.” I hear the voice coming from the hallway right before I hear the sound of the pitter-patter of feet running. “Charlotte, be careful.” The minute I hear her name, a smile just fills my face.

“Sofia,” Charlotte, my baby cousin, says running into the room, her voice bright and clear, matching the massive smile on her face. “Sofia, Sofia.” I see her brown pigtails moving side to side as she makes her way over to me.

“Charlie, Charlie,” I call her by her nickname, squatting down and opening my arms for her and she lunges herself into them.

“Sofia.” She giggles my name as I bury my face in her neck blowing kisses. “That tickles.” She squirms in my arms.

“Wow,” my aunt Harlow says from the doorway, “you are wearing a white shirt and literally just took a toddler into your arms.” She shakes her head. “Courageous.” I look down at my white sleeveless shirt that I paired with my black-and-white checkered pants.

I smile at her and then look back at Charlie, who is playing with my hair as she looks at me. “She could be covered in red paint, and I would still want all the cuddles.”

“I don’t have red paint,” Charlie says, looking down at herself.

“You don’t,” I tell her, and I bring her back to me to kiss her again. Ever since I was a young kid, my aunt Harlow was always by my side. We did everything together until she moved here about ten years ago. She came to attend the wedding of her ex-boyfriend, not knowing the wedding was going to be called off the same day. I heard from a couple of people that they started back again that very same night. Either way, she moved here, and Travis is Shelby, Clarabella, and Presley’s older brother.

“Do I hear my little girl?” Clarabella says, sticking her head out of her office. “I have presents for you.”

Charlie squirms out of my arms and runs out. “Traitor,” I mumble, making Harlow laugh as she comes over to me and gives me a hug. “Where is Theo?”

“He’s having a father/son day,” she says with a massive smile on her face. “Besides, I don’t think Clarabella would be happy if he comes back here. Last time it was like the Roadrunner all over the place, and then he threw up in her office and didn’t tell her.” She tries not to laugh but fails. “Anyway, how is my favorite niece?” she asks and I give her the biggest hug.