Page 196 of By His Vow
“Um…sure,” she agrees.
“Mr. Callahan.”
“Thank you,” I say with a smile.
She makes quick work of pouring our drinks before setting her eyes on Tatum.
“Now, I will say I’ve been given some deadlines in my time, but I think this one might be up there with the most challenging.”
Tatum’s brow wrinkles as she tries to figure out the woman’s words.
“But I have every confidence in my suppliers. You will both have the most incredible day next Saturday.”
“Next Saturday?” Tatum blurts, her ass lifting from the couch as if she has every intention of running away.
My grip on her hand tightens, a silent warning to play the game.
She shoots me a look, one that might make a lesser man cower, but not me. I’ll stare her down all day long quite happily.
“Oh my goodness,” she finally whispers. “I just can’t believe it’s only next week. Crazy, right?”
The wedding planner wants to agree; it’s right there in her eyes, but she wisely keeps her mouth shut on the subject.
I haven’t hired the best for no reason.
“It’s exciting,” she says instead, with a wide smile.
“Okay, so Mr. Callahan--”
“Kingston, please,” I say softly.
She nods, smiling at me. “Kingston has already explained some of your wishes, and I’d like to go over those now along with the finer details of the day.”
“Of course,” Tatum says through gritted teeth, her grip on my hand tightening, her nails digging into my skin in punishment.
We sit there for an hour talking about flower arrangements, colors, bridesmaid dresses, groomsmen suits, cakes, and what feels like a million other things I’ve never cared about in my life.
Due to the fact I blindsided Tatum with this and she now wants to punish me in any way possible, I’m forced to give way more input than I’m sure most soon-to-be grooms would. But that’s okay, I’m happy to take some of the weight.
“Okay,” Mia says flicking through her notes one last time. “I think that’s everything for now. I will get you an appointment for dress fittings and I’ll email that over to you before the end of the day. And then I’ll be in contact to confirm everything we’ve discussed here.” She pauses and looks between the two of us with a soft smile playing on her lips and a glint in her eyes. If I didn’t already know it from her job, it’s now more than obvious that this woman is a sucker for a wedding. “This is going to be a truly beautiful day for the two of you. I can see how excited you both are.”
I almost bark out laughing at her blatant lie. Tatum has not been the excited bride-to-be that I’m sure she’s used to experiencing, that’s for sure.
In truth, she was probably more enthusiastic planning her father’s funeral.
“Thank you so much for rearranging at short notice,” I say as we rise to say our goodbyes.
“No problem. Have a wonderful day both of you. I’ll be in touch.”
Without another word, she slips from the room. The second the door closes behind her, Tatum turns her furious stare on me.
“Next Saturday. Are you serious?”
I hold her stare. “We have to be married for one year to meet the terms of your father’s will, Tatum. The longer we wait, the longer we’ve got to be together.”
Her expression falters for the briefest moment, it’s so fast, I almost question whether I saw it or not. But I definitely did.
“And we don’t want to extend that any longer than necessary. I need to get to work, Kingston. I have a life outside of becoming your wife and I’d like to return to it.”