Toasty (Cozy #2) - Alexa Riley Page 0,6

get through anything as long as we have each other.

“It’s crazy but this was meant to be.” She pulls back to look at me. “You sent me right to my happily ever after. You’re going to get yours too.”

“Not everyone gets a happily ever after, Pippa.” I reach out and play with the ends of her hair.

Mr. Cox is not the kind of man that gives you a happily ever after. I don’t know what kind of man he is when it comes to this kind of thing, but he isn't like his cousin. Bruce had women coming and going, but I don’t know anything about Cox’s personal life. I’m not sure he has one with as much as he works.

“You will,” she pushes, as if she can make it so.

I want her to focus on her happily ever after right now. It’s why I’ve kept myself so busy these last six weeks, so that I didn't freak out over what happened with me and Mr. Cox. Kace, I mentally correct. He’s been inside me and I quit, so I don't have to call him Mr. Cox anymore. Oh god, I’m having his baby. Don’t go there right now. I try to stop the spiraling thoughts.

“Let’s get you married.” I motion towards her robe, knowing it’s time to get her in her dress. Our hair and makeup is done and I’m already in my dress.

“I get to tell Timber.” Pippa buzzes with excitement. “Help me put on this thing.” She pulls me from the bathroom and her excitement takes over as we get her into her dress.

“You look beautiful.” I smile at her, trying to fight the tears. She’s not a little girl anymore. I should have known she’d end up tucked away in a castle somewhere with children under her feet as she knits.

“You don’t look so bad yourself.” She nudges me. I give her a smile before getting my phone and making sure things are good to go.

“They’re ready,” I confirm when I get a text back.

“They must be tired from holding Timber back.” She beams, looking oh so happy about that.

“He’s been a handful today,” I laugh.

He kept asking if we could move the time of the wedding up so it was over sooner. It’s sweet he can't wait to marry Pippa. I hold my arm out for her to take and she locks it with mine.

I can smell all the frangipani flowers before we reach the top of the stairs since the place is covered in them. I think I ordered every single one that was in the city since Timber wanted as many as he could get for the wedding.

We stop when we reach the top of the steps. I look down to make sure everything is how I instructed. My eyes roam over the flowers and toward the front where Timber is standing, and then they keep drifting. I pause when I see Kace and all the air leaves my lungs. What the hell is he doing here?

“Is that—” my sister whispers, but I cut her off.

“Let’s do this.” I move to step down the stairs and force myself to look away from Kace.

I have no idea what he’s doing here, but this wedding is happening. I’ll have him kicked out after the ceremony is over so he doesn’t cause a scene. Is he friends with Timber? I would’ve seen his name on the invites.

When we reach the bottom of the stairs I’m almost certain he’s stared a hole right through me. I want to snap at him and ask him what the hell he’s looking at. Instead I kiss both my sister’s cheeks before passing her over to Timber.

My eyes water all over again as my emotions get the best of me. This is all so much. I flick my gaze over to Kace, who is still staring at me, looking pissed. No, scratch that. He looks livid.

Good.

That makes two of us.

Chapter 3

Kace

When the ceremony is over I make a direct path for Myra, but she’s swept up in the crowd. I have to stand back and watch her smile and hug people as they come up and tell her what an incredible job she did on planning the party.

Of course she did an amazing job. Everything she touches turns to gold. Except me.

The thought enters my mind like a doubtful little worm at the exact moment I see Bruce go over and give her a hug. Red angry stars cloud my vision