“It’s also time for the speeches after that. Poppy?”
“Yes?”
“Is your speech ready?”
“What speech? I don’t have a speech. I have to say something at the wedding, but not now.”
Mom stared at me. “You’re scheduled for a speech tonight.”
Through gritted teeth, I said, “Then unschedule me.”
“Are you going to upset your sister by not doing what you should be?”
I folded my arms and sat back in my chair. She wasn’t going to guilt me into this. Not a chance in hell. Nobody told me about speeches at this party, and I wasn’t going to stand up there and look like an idiot.
No way.
Mom sighed. “Fine. No speech. But I expect you to pay full attention.”
“Mom, this is a wedding, not a math class.”
She looked like she was going to say something, but instead clicked her tongue and turned to Rosie. “Come on.”
Rosie wiggled her fingers and followed Mom through the tables.
I let go of a heavy breath, rested my elbows on the table, then buried my face in my heads. “Fuck me.”
Adam laughed, rubbing his hand down my back. “Need a drink?”
I nodded.
I needed ten.
***
I snatched my sister’s hand before she got wrapped up in another conversation with a guest. “Hey. I wanted to let you know that we’re leaving.”
She glanced at the dainty watch on her wrist. “You are?”
“Yeah, three of Mark’s cousins recognized Adam, and in the way only teen boys could, made a fuss. He stole the bartender’s pens, took selfies, and signed napkins. I think it’s probably better if we leave before someone notices he’s getting a lot of attention.”
She smirked. “I agree. Okay. We have to meet with the priest in the morning, but you’re ready for the rehearsal dinner, right?”
“Six-thirty, right here,” I said.
“Okay.” She hugged me, and I darted out of the ballroom before my mother saw me and tried to stop me.
Adam was waiting for me. “Did you manage to escape the mothership?”
I bit back a laugh and nodded. “Like a ninja.”
“Quick. Let’s go before anyone else recognizes me today.” He grabbed my hand and gave it a tug.
“Whoa, careful. I can’t run in these heels. And no, that isn’t an invitation for you to haul me off like a caveman.”
“Take them off, then. I’m on borrowed time. All it takes is one more crazy hockey fan from your family to up and leave that party, and I’m screwed. And if I’m screwed…” He raised one eyebrow.
I took off my shoes. “Where are we going?” I asked when he dragged me into the elevator and pressed the down button.
“To the beach. It’s quiet out there.”
“It’s also quiet in our room.”
“I know. But if I take you up there right now, it won’t be quiet for long.” He shot me a gaze. “And after what happened earlier, I think we probably need to get to know each other a little more.”
Well, there was a logic I couldn’t deny. There was no doubt that my mom would start her bombardment of questions the second she had a minute and found us alone. If I had another deer-in-headlights moment like I had tonight, I was done for.
“That’s a very good idea.”
The elevator doors pinged open, and luckily for us, the lobby was deserted. Mostly because everyone was still at my sister’s pre-wedding reception, but still. We made our way out to the front of the hotel and down the path that led to the private beach.
“There’s nobody here,” Adam said as we stepped into the sand. “Did your sister hire out the entire resort or something?”
“Actually, she did,” I confirmed, shaking my head. “Mark’s family is filthy rich, and mine isn’t exactly poor. Not to mention that Mark himself makes a fuck ton of money.”
“What does your sister do?”
“She looks pretty,” I muttered. “She says she’s going back to school to do a business and marketing course, but we’ve been waiting for that for two years.”
“In other words, she’s getting married, will claim she’s going to school, and miraculously get pregnant again.”
I pointed at him as we sat down. “We have a pool going about when she goes back to school, and that was my answer.”
“Can I get in on that?” He undid a button of his shirt and leaned back on his hands.
“No. I need that five hundred bucks more than you do.” I paused. “Also, I don’t think I actually have a hundred bucks spare to pay my share, so, come on Mark’s sperm.” I crossed my fingers.
He laughed. “I’ll lend my support to Mark’s sperm, so you don’t have to pay a hundred bucks. But, hey—since it’s also my vote, if it happens, I’ll pay your share.”
I rolled my eyes. “Thanks. Charity is so hot.”
Another laugh. “Think of it as we’re a team in our choice.”
“That sounds better.”
“So, I have a question.” Adam rolled his head to the side and looked at me. “If your family has money, why don’t you have a spare hundred dollars?”