Chapter 40
“Ithink we should go for the chocolate as well as the coconut cake.”
“No, the vanilla mixed with strawberry tastes better.”
“That’s a weird combo, don’t you think?”
A smile curls up my lips as I watch my mom and Jessy’s mom, Rose, along with Amy and Jessy’s two best friends argue over the wedding preparations. My fiancée looks stressed as she shakes her head at them.
“Why would anyone not like lemon drizzle cake?” Mom whines as she flips through the pages of the cake brochure resting on her lap.
Our wedding is in two weeks, and ever since Jessy and I got engaged, Mom has swung into a wedding-planning mode. It’s all she talks about these days.
With my eyes trained on Jessy, I walk over to where they are all seated. “Excuse me, ladies, but can I steal my fiancée for a minute?”
“Yeah,” they all murmured, not looking up from whatever the wedding planner is showing them in a large wedding brochure.
“Thank you,” Jessy murmurs as I place my hand on the small of her back, leading her away. “For a minute, I thought I was going to faint from all their arguing.”
“You know you don’t have to worry about this wedding, right?” I press a kiss to her temple. “I don’t want you stressing yourself. That’s the reason I hired the wedding planner,” I murmur against her hair, inhaling the scent of her coconut shampoo.
“I know,” she says with a sigh.
“What do you say we get away from here?” I whisper into her hair. “How about we go get some of that ice cream that you love?”
“Oh, Ethan, you know the way to a woman’s heart.” She wraps her arms around me, resting her head against my chest.
“Just the way to your heart alone, baby.” I place a soft kiss on her lips.
As we step out into the warm evening air, I feel a sense of relief wash over me, leaving the chaos of wedding planning behind.
We make our way down the familiar streets, hand in hand, the warmth of her touch sending a jolt of electricity coursing through my veins. I can’t help but steal glances at her as we walk, marveling at the way the city lights dance in her eyes, illuminating her beauty in ways I never thought possible.
As we reach our favorite ice cream parlor, I hold the door open for her, a smile playing on my lips as she steps inside.
The scent of freshly baked waffle cones fills the air, mixing with the sweet aroma of chocolate and vanilla.
We take a seat at our usual table by the window, the soft glow of the streetlights casting a warm, inviting glow over us. I watch as Jessy peruses the menu, her brows furrowed in concentration as she tries to decide between her favorite flavors.
“Chocolate chip, cookie dough, or mint chocolate chip?” she muses, glancing up at me with a playful smile.
I chuckle softly, reaching across the table to tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Why not all three?” I suggest a mischievous glint in my eyes.
She laughs, shaking her head at my suggestion. “You know I can never resist my sweet tooth,” she teases, her laughter filling the air like music. “But I need to fit into my wedding dress.”
“You still won’t allow me to see your dress?”
She shakes her head. “You know it’s bad luck for the groom to see the dress before the wedding day.”
“And you know I don’t believe in that.”
“Well, I do, so you will have to wait. But not to worry, I look beautiful in it.”
“I have no doubt about that. You look incredible in anything, baby.” I watch as her cheeks flush.
As we dig into our ice cream, the conversation flows effortlessly between us. We talk about everything and nothing, sharing stories and dreams as we lose ourselves in each other’s company.
When we get back to the house, we meet the wedding planner on her way out, and when she sees us, she beams.
“Ethan, Jessica,” she says with a curt nod. “I will see you tomorrow for the venue approval.”
After the wedding planner leaves, I turn to Jessy. “Can’t we just elope?”
She throws her head back, laughing. “That will be tantamount to giving your mom a heart attack.”
“Yeah, no kidding.”
When we get back inside, Amy and Mom are arguing over something while Bianca and Chloe gather their things to leave. Rose is on the phone with her husband.
When she came in last week, she wanted to stay in one of our hotels until the wedding, but Mom refused, insisting that she is now part of the family and she will stay at her house. And now they are buddies.
When everyone finally leaves, and it was just Jessy and me, I wrap my arms around her waist, kissing her neck. She moves her head to the side, a soft moan escaping her lips.
“I have missed you so much, baby,” I groan, taking her bottom lip between my teeth.
“I missed you too,” she moans.
I feel a surge of desire coursing through me as I gently cup her breast, the soft lace of her bra beneath my fingertips. Her moan ignites a fire within me, but her swat brings me back to reality.
“We need to stop,” she says, her voice firm yet gentle.
I exhale heavily, frustration mingling with longing. “Oh, come on, baby,” I protest softly, unable to hide the ache in my voice. “We’ve both missed...”
But before I can finish, Jessy cuts in.
“Ethan, we both agreed,” she says softly, her eyes filled with love and determination. “We agreed to wait until our wedding night to make it special.”
“I know,” I concede, my voice laced with resignation. “But it’s hard, you know? Being so close to you and not being able to...”
She reaches out, her touch calming me. Her words echo with wisdom and depth that I can’t help but admire her.
“I know it’s hard, but we have to try. Now, if you stop sulking and can be a good boy, I might just let you tap a little.”
“What do I need to do?” I ask with eagerness, and she laughs at me as she heads upstairs, and I run after her.