Page 35 of About That Rule

CHAPTER14

FIVE WEEKS UNTIL annulment day. When they’d first received their court order, Samantha had figured she’d be planning a party to celebrate the end of their sham. This imaginary party had included champagne, her friends, and a plethora of men so she had her choice of who she wanted to bring home—sex would be something she could enjoy again.

Now, though, the idea of another man touching her tasted like vinegar. The only man she wanted was Nate. Which was ironic since they were technically married and could have had a field day with each other. She had to constantly remind herself their chemistry wasn’t real.

But, if it wasn’t real, why was she still pissed kissing was back on the table yet they hadn’t come close to doing it?

“Sammy, do you think it’s too much lace?” Charlotte asked, bringing her out of her Nate-induced daze. “I don’t want the material to be all anyone notices. It will be tacky.”

She, Charlotte, are Gabriella were out together, putting together ideas for Charlotte’s reception. After all the excitement about her and Rafe getting married in Vegas had leveled out, their parents went nuts over the fact that no one had been there to witness the ceremony.

To meet halfway, they’d decided to have a reception, inviting their family and friends, but they weren’t re-doing the ceremony. Charlotte and Rafe had decided to keep that just between them. Which, Samantha had to admit, was super romantic.

“Tacky like a Vegas wedding.” Gabriella laughed, nudging Samantha over her funny joke. Samantha faked a laugh. The reality of eloping sat way too close to home for her.

The smile on Charlotte’s face was enough to shut them both up.

“It was perfect for us,” she blissfully said. “Rafe and I haven’t done a single traditional thing in our relationship, so why would we have a traditional wedding? What we did was the best.”

“Well, in that case, no, it isn’t too much lace. You love the tablecloths, so who cares what everyone else thinks?” Samantha answered, a bit envious of the happily-ever-after Charlotte was getting compared to her pending annulment.

Gabriella was looking through the pamphlet Charlotte had created of all the choices at the venue. Charlotte was so type A, it was surprising she hadn’t laminated them.

“I definitely like that you guys are doing tapas served throughout the night,” Gabriella said. “It’s different and fun. Are you going to throw a bouquet or garter, any of the traditional stuff?”

“Nope,” Charlotte informed them. “We aren’t even having a cake. Instead, we’re having a dessert table.”

“Yummy!” Samantha added, because who didn’t love chocolate?

“Exactly,” Charlotte high-fived her. “Okay, ladies, last question. Should we have assigned seating or let everyone do their own thing? There are more than enough seats, and there are high-top tables too. Since we aren’t doing a standard dinner hour because food will be constantly served, I’m torn.”

The three of them sat in silence for a moment.

“I say screw assigned seats,” Samantha said, speaking first. “People will like being able to do their own thing. This is more like a party.”

She laughed loudly. “Those were Rafe’s thoughts on it too.”

“As we can see by the highlighted section on page four,” Gabriella teased.

“You love my organization,” Charlotte responded. “Okay, wedding details finished. What is everyone doing this weekend?”

Gabriella rubbed her hands together in excitement. “At the winery, we’re having a members-only party to try a new red blend. It’s dry, but oddly sweet. I can’t wait to hear what the tasters think. To me, it’s our best blend yet.”

“You better bring us bottles,” Charlotte warned.

“Obviously,” Gabriella agreed. She always had them trying new wines from the vineyard where she worked, it was to the point Samantha wasn’t sure if she had any other bottles at her house. “What are you doing, Samantha?”

“I’m going to New York.” It wasn’t a big deal, so she continued reading through the binder of reception details from Charlotte.

“Again?” Gabriella asked.

Charlotte plopped her hand on the page Samantha was reading to get her attention. “Didn’t you just go, like, three weeks ago?”

Shit.

Her friends were way too observant. She had to abort this conversation.

“I did, but he has…” she paused, trying to think of a plausible excuse. “Nate has tickets to a new club opening. You know I can’t pass up a chance to get dolled up and shamelessly flirt with New York’s hot, single men.”