Macy claps her hands. “Yay! Perfect choice. Now we go shopping for shoes and a small purse?”
I nod. “Just as soon as I pay.”
I’ve seen the price on this dress, and by the time I buy the shoes and bag, I’ll have a hefty credit card statement next month. Even with my generous salary, this is a big hit.
I glance in the mirror one more time. My dark hair and tanned skin provide the perfect contrast to the lighter-colored gown. If Hudson’s chocolate eyes darken at the sight of me in this dress, the money will be well spent.
***
Hudson
I have my suitcase open on the bed, my tuxedo hanging on the door waiting to be placed inside the garment bag. I’ve actually had to buy a tuxedo for the wedding because my clothing consists of khaki shorts and collared T-shirts from my time in Brazil. When I moved to Florida, I purchased pants for clinic and stadium work. Not a formal or overly dressy item can be found in my closet, and though my mother will be horrified, I like it that way.
I add my Dopp kit to the suitcase, zip it up, and roll the bag near the door. I am about to turn around and grab my tuxedo when a knock sounds.
I swing open my door to find Braden standing outside. “Hey, come on in.”
Braden strides inside, his gaze going to the carry-on. “Ready to go?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be to deal with the family.”
Braden makes himself comfortable, dropping onto the leather couch I had splurged on. “Are you looking forward to the wedding at least? I know you haven’t seen Serena in a while, and you two are close.”
Joining him, I sit down on the opposite end of the sofa. “That’s the one thing I’m excited for. She deserves to be happy.”
Braden nods. “Where are you staying?”
This is starting to feel like twenty questions, I think, narrowing my gaze. No, I haven’t told Braden I am taking Bri, but there is every chance Braden already knows and is testing me, in which case I have no problem playing the long game and making my friend work for the answers.
“I made a reservation at the Four Seasons.” In fact, I’ve pulled family strings, and managed to book us into a suite. I want to make a good impression with Bri.
Folding my arms across my chest, I meet Braden’s gaze and wait for the explosion.
Braden raises his eyebrows. “I hope you mean you made reservations, as in plural?”
“None of your business, and I take it the family grapevine is alive and well?” I ask with a grin and hear the grinding of my friend’s teeth.
The last time I saw a scowl that deep on Braden’s face was during a walk through over-one-hundred-degree heat to avillage that was a few miles away after our Jeep had broken down.
“Bri went dress shopping with Macy. She told Jaxon, and Jaxon told me. I can’t believe you weren’t going to mention it,” Braden mutters.
I lean forward in my seat and meet Braden’s gaze. “Look, she’s your twin. I get that you’re overprotective, but this is me, okay? I’m not going to hurt her.”
“You’d better not or you’ll have four Prescotts to answer to.”
I am smart enough not to reply and to let my actions speak for me.
Chapter Four
Brianne
Hudson says he’ll pick me up by noon on Thursday, and I am ready when a town car pulls into my driveway. Both the driver and Hudson exit the vehicle, but I can’t tear my gaze from my date for the weekend.
Wearing a pair of jeans and a crew-neck shirt, aviators covering his eyes, Hudson strides toward me, looking sexy as hell.
He meets me at the bottom of my front steps and glances at my bags. “It’s one weekend,” he says, taking in the largest suitcase I own, a carry-on for my toiletries and personal items, and the tote I always carry with me when I travel.
“Well, hello to you, too.” I grin and lift the handle on the luggage, pulling it higher so I can drag it behind me when I walk.
