My Unexpected Vow: California Billionaires Book 2 by Harlow James (children's ebooks free online TXT) 📗

now, his thighs and ass look like they’re about to bust out of his pants—not that I was noticing that at all.

“I mean, I can make casual conversation. But you know I don’t do relationships, guys.”

“Yeah, neither did I, dipshit. Now look at me,” I say with my arms open wide.

“Sorry, Hayes, but yours wasn’t necessarily by choice. Tequila prompted the start of your marriage.”

“Yes, but I’m making the choice now to explore it. When you find the right person …”

“It opens you up to all sorts of realities you never thought you’d want,” Wes finishes for me.

“Exactly.”

“Well, I’m happy for the two of you, but I don’t think I’ll ever have that. I have too many people that rely on me, which leaves no time for anyone else, especially a woman.”

“Your sisters are grown, Silas. And your grandma runs that family, not you, man. Hate to break that to you.”

He rolls his eyes and then steps back toward us. “Just drop it, alright? Some men are meant to be alone, and I’ve accepted that.”

“Fine. But I feel like it’s only a matter of time before life hands you lemons and forces you to make lemonade out of them,” Wes says before walking over to speak with the store manager, making sure they have all the measurements that they need from us.

I turn back to Silas. “Believe me, man. The last thing I thought I’d want is to be married and tied down to the same woman. But Waverly… she’s making me see potential in that life. I’d be crazy not to see that through.”

“I agree and I understand what you’re saying. But I don’t want to let anyone down. Not after what happened with my own family, you know?”

I nod, knowing that Silas’s family has had their fair share of disappointments. I get where his responsibility lies, but I also know that he could also offer the right woman one hell of a life.

“I get it. Just don’t shut that door completely. You might be surprised what can happen.”

He smirks. “Look at you, offering love and life advice now. Jesus, marriage sure has changed you, hasn’t it?”

My smile is instantaneous and pure. “Yeah. It has.”

* * *

Waverly

“Okay, these dresses are stunning.” I swish the fabric from side to side as I admire the way the dress moves, yet still hugs my body. The yellow, blue, and teal ombre pattern of the chiffon reminds me of turquoise Caribbean water under a sunset—simply stunning.

Shayla clasps her hands and pulls them under her chin. “You like them?”

“I’m sorry I ever doubted you, Shayla,” Chloe chimes in. “I feel beautiful, but also hot as fuck in this thing.” She turns around to stare at her ass in the mirror. “Yup, I approve.”

“The guys will be in light grey suits, and we’ll be holding coral roses in our bouquets. The colors are going to look phenomenal altogether.”

“It’s going to be beautiful, Shayla. I’m so happy for you.” And I am, but a twinge of jealousy and remorse weaves up from my stomach and rests in my chest.

In my drunken state and haste, I never got to pick out bridesmaid’s dresses. I’m a married woman who never had a traditional wedding, something I’ve been envisioning ever since I was a little girl. And contrary to what most people might assume, I never wanted an astronomically expensive party, ostentatious and full of people I barely knew. I just wanted something intimate, but beautiful, full of details that were meaningful to me and my new husband.

Instead, I have a Polaroid of us looking like we came from a drag show in Vegas, and a hangover to rival all future hangovers for the rest of my life. I’m living with a man that is confusing me more than igniting the annoyance he usually provides, and after falling asleep together on the couch the other night, I feel like now I’m swimming in murky waters, unable to see the ground beneath my feet.

It’s like we’re both wading in the ocean, but neither of us bothering to swim for the shore where it’s safe. I’m becoming more convinced with each passing day that Hayes and I are crossing the boundaries of our friendship, and I’m leaning more toward wanting to give in and explore whatever is building between us. It now seems more necessary to see what could transpire from our marriage than remain steadfast in my desire to keep our boundaries firmly in place.

“Thank you. I can’t wait to see it all come together. I never thought planning a wedding would be this much fun.” She claps her hands as the consultant helping us walks over.

“Okay, now that your girls are taken care of, it’s your turn to put your dress on for alterations.”

Shayla’s face lights with excitement as the woman whisks her away to a dressing room to change.

“So are you and Hayes banging yet?”

I nearly choke on my spit. “What? No!”

“Shame.” She shrugs and then fluffs her hair. “I don’t know how you’re holding strong living with a man that looks like him.”

Yeah, me neither.

“Well, it’s proving to be a challenge I wasn’t expecting, that’s for sure,” I mumble, but Chloe catches it.

“Oh! Do I sense some sexual tension building?”

“You can say that again.”

She rushes over to me and grips both of my arms. “Did something happen? Pleeeeeease tell me something happened! I have a bet going with Shayla over how long it will be before the two of you crack and fuck each other senseless.”

“What?” My jaw drops just as Shayla comes from the fitting rooms wearing her wedding gown.

“It’s true,” she says, stepping onto the pedestal while holding the length of her dress so she doesn’t step on it. The mermaid-style gown with intricate beading all over the bodice and soft ruffles on the bottom looks absolutely stunning on her. “And if you hold out for a few more weeks, I’ll win.”

Placing my hands on my hips, I volley my shocked expression