McKenzie Cousins Box Set 1

“I think that’s the first time I’ve heard you call her Charlie.”

“Probably. She hates it now that she’s ‘grown up’ but she’ll always be Charlie. It just slips out every now and again. Just don’t let on that you know she has a nickname. I’ll never hear the end of it.”

“Your secrets are safe with me.”

He does have me worried about Mitchell Jordan though. The man is a businessman first and foremost, and others would give their right arm to be able to say they’ve worked with or for him. So I offer, “If Mitchell says that he wants you over there and heading up this project, then, my personal opinion is that he’s serious. He might just be trying to encourage something with Carrie, but I don’t seriously believe that he’d go back on a business decision because you haven’t followed anything up with his daughter.”

Michael loudly exhales. “I hope you’re right.” He stands. “Thanks for listening.”

I take his offered hand and tug him into a hug, hitting him on the back. “You’ve got this, and I’m only going to be a phone call away.”

“I appreciate that.” Michael steps toward the door.

“Should I expect a visit from your brother next?” I joke.

Michael laughs. “I think you’re safe. He isn’t in Lexington right now.”

“Good to know.”

Michael leaves as I drop back onto the sofa.

It’s been a strange day so far, and nothing that I’d come into the office to do has been done yet. At least I know Sirena will be distracted for a good few hours.

22

Sirena

“Charlotte!” I hiss between my lips.

The bridal store that my sister and Mom had insisted we come to is exclusive and serene. The woman who keeps insisting on us looking at wedding gowns that look like the meringue on a cake, will be getting a piece of my I’m-pregnant-I-don’t-care-mind, if she doesn’t stop.

Jumping up, my sister runs over to the assistant, and in a pleasant voice that speaks volumes says, “My sister isn’t into little bo peep dresses. She’s into elegant but something that of course needs it to fit and flatter her beautiful pregnant belly. You hearing me?”

Mom pats my hand and chokes back a laugh so I avoid looking at her otherwise I’ll end up in a fit of laughter.

The woman facing my sister looks flustered, but after replying, “Yes,” she rushes into the changing rooms while Charlotte grins and drops down next to me.

“Beautiful pregnant belly, huh?” I snicker.

“Seriously Sirena! That woman has no taste whatsoever if she likes all that fluff and frills. Also, how does she expect you to fit in any of them? I told the woman it was a maternity wedding gown that is needed.”

My Mom and sister know something and I’m sure Garrett has gotten to Charlotte about our wedding. I’ve discovered a side to my future husband that loves nothing more than to create amazing surprises for me. “When?”

Charlotte frowns. “When what?”

I face Mom and raise a brow. “Mom?”

“Um,” Mom hesitates.

I roll my eyes. “Garrett is planning the wedding, right? That’s why we’re here and why you’re wanting to make sure that I choose a dress that fits and so quickly.”

“You need to talk to Garrett.” She smirks, her eyes drift to something behind me. Rapidly changing the subject, she exclaims, “At last.”

The woman has reappeared with some dresses in her arms followed by another woman who is also loaded up with dresses. “As we don’t have any pregnant models, I’m going to show you what we have and I’ve tried to judge the size.”

I leave Mom and Charlotte to hunt through the dresses, but one made of a plan white silk catches my eye. Charlotte has spotted it too. She pulls it from the pile and holds it up for us both to see. My eyes light up at the beautiful dress. It has everything that I like: elegance, class and silky—and not one frill in sight.

All three of us say, “This is the one,” and start laughing.