Save the Date (Modern Arrangements, #1)

"Do you think I would miss my baby’s wedding day? Of course not." She kissed my cheek. "I can’t wait to meet the man who finally got that big heart of yours." She beamed. Internally, I groaned.

"You mean with an iron clad contrac –" Lucky for me a spa worker appeared and interrupted Maggie’s comment. She called my name.

"Miss Snowe?"

"You know, what? Please, take my mother back first." I smiled apologetically.

"Of course, whatever you prefer." She gave me an odd look and took my mother with her. Turning back to everyone, I got more strange looks.

"Okay, listen. My mom has no idea about this ‘arrangement’. I thought I could just tell her the truth, but it seems she is all high off of true love and romance at the moment." I sighed loudly. "So, can you please not say anything to her? Atleast not today. I’ll tell her about it tonight after dinner."

"Of course, dear," Viola leaned over and wrapped her arm around me. "Though, you need to tell Aidan before he makes a mistake when you introduce them."

"Oh shit!" I went wide eyed again. "I didn’t even think of that. Viola, you’re brilliant. I’ll be right back." Grabbing my cell phone, I went into a small changing room.

"What’s the matter, are you already sick of the spa?" he answered his phone laughing.

"Oh, ha ha. No, I…uh…have a problem."

"What’s wrong?" I couldn’t help but feel the warm fuzzies grow inside me at his genuine concern.

"My mother’s here."

There was a long silence.

"O…kay?"

"She doesn’t know…about the agreement." I bit my lip and waited.

"I thought you called her about it?"

"I tried to, but she is…well…remember how I told you my mother was kind of crazy, free spirited and wishy washy?"

"Yeah."

"Well, Mrs. Wishy Washy is on this big romance and true love kick right now. So when she said she couldn’t make it to the wedding I just let her believe what she wanted." I took a deep breath. "I swear, I’m going to tell her tonight after dinner when it’s just me and her. I just don’t want to embarrass her in front of anyone."

"Ok." He said quickly.

"That’s it, just okay? You aren’t pissed ‘cause I didn’t tell her?" I was a little surprised.

"No, not really. It’s not a big deal. She should stay with us." He added.

"W-what?" I choked. "No, I don’t think she should –"

"Of course she should. Invite her or I’ll have Viola do it." He laughed and hung up.

He was up to something. I just didn’t know what it was.

~

Aidan

My day had been hell. First, I have to see Lilli in her barely-there pajamas this morning. Second, I got way too close to her this morning. The scent of her cherry and floral skin made me want to lift her on the counter and plow into her until the whole building heard her scream my name. I needed sex, I needed it soon and I wanted her. Not a good combination for me at the moment.

Barely listening to another sales meeting drone on about figures, my phone lit with Lilli’s picture from her bachelorette party. Muting my desk phone, I answered. Hearing about her situation with her mother was, at first, a little alarming, but the bastard in me slowly formed the perfect plan.

It was too good to be true, so I had to be careful, very careful. If things worked in my favor, then not only would Lilli have to play along with my advances, but she would end up in my bed.

With the rehearsal dinner tonight, and the prospect of Lilli in my arms all night, I arrived the apartment by two o’clock, after I made an important phone call to check on some arrangements. We had to be at the pier by four with dinner plans starting at six. However, Viola wanted us there by five thirty. When I got home I could hear Lilli and Phoebe arguing in her room about the dress she wanted her to wear.

Chuckling, I went to my room to get dressed and was completely caught off guard when I saw a dark gray suit laid out on my bed. Had my future wife laid out my clothes for me? My wonderings were interrupted by a knock at my bedroom door.

"Yeah?" I walked toward the door. Before I could open it, she answered from the other side.

"Put the suit on. Don’t question me like your fiancée." Phoebe yelled. I shook my head. Well, that answered that question.

"Aye, aye Phoebe." First, I needed to shower.

An hour later, I walked out of my room and was met by voices downstairs.

"Oh, babe, you look so beautiful." The voice was unfamiliar.

"Thank you, mom." Yes, the mother was here.

"Well, this must be Sarah?" I said it a little too enthusiastically. Lilli eyed me curiously. So did Phoebe.

"Yes, I am. You must be Aidan?" She eyed me up and down.

"It’s great to finally meet you." She wrapped her arms around me and hugged me.

"Lilli, you didn’t tell me he was so handsome." Lilli rolled her eyes.

"Please, don’t. You’ll just make his head bigger than it already is." Lilli smirked.

So she wants to play. Hmmm.

When Sarah pulled away from me, I walked over to Lilli and snaked my arm around her waist pulling her toward me. I planned to kiss her but her hands went to my chest and she pulled her head back.

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