The Bastard Takes a Wife Read Free

diary and closed it, sliding it to the side. He
faced me, clasping his hands on his knees like an old spinster.
“I’ve had a look at the photos you submitted and…”
    “What photos?”
    “The ones Patricia emailed through with the
gown options and the girls chosen to wear them.”
    “What’re you talking about? I don’t have any
options and I only want one bridesmaid, Alex, with Paige as my
junior. And she has to have a tiara.”
    Angus shuffled a little. “Well of course,
Miss Paige, Miss Tori and Master Michael are natural choices but
I’m a tad worried as to how the little Greek girl will appear in
the photos.”
    I opened my mouth and closed it again in
astonishment. I could barely find words. “Are you saying my friend
is fat?”
    “Oh no. No. Heavens. She’s simply a little
vertically challenged and the male attendants are so tall, you
see.”
    “What male attendants? Sam’s having Johnny.
That’s it.”
    Angus consulted his notes. “Ah no.” He tapped
his finger on the page. “Three attendants. John Jones, Alan Simpson
and someone called Rambo?” His eyes appeared to glitter at the
thought of the big burly man he envisaged to match the name.
    “His name’s Ryan Waters and believe me he’s
no Rambo.”
    “Yes, well, he’s the third groomsman.”
    I couldn’t understand it. It had only been a
few nights ago in bed Sam and I had discussed the wedding party. I
was happy to only have Alex. At the time Sam had seemed to want the
same. Had he agreed to make me happy? Or did he have some secret
yearning to have a massive wedding? I couldn’t imagine it. Not
after he told me he’d rather have all his teeth pulled without
anesthetic first.
    On the other sofa, Angus was still rambling,
oblivious. “The other options would be far more suitable.” He
tossed some photocopied shots of Kirby, Sasha and Mel onto the
coffee table.
    “For what?”
    “Bridesmaids.”
    That was it. I’d had enough of this silly
little man with his dinky bow tie and paisley notebook. There would
be no more planning unless I got what I wanted. Tears stung the
back of my throat. I couldn’t swallow. “Get. Out.”
    “But we need to…”
    “No. We do not. I’ll organise my own wedding.
Thank you.”
    Adele reached over, resting a hand on my
forearm. “Millie. Calm down. Think of the photos. In twenty years
time, when you look back, you’ll be glad you listened to Angus.
This is his job. He knows what works.”
    My mouth fell to the floor. Adele was siding
with the planner. I stood up, handing Angus his jacket on my way to
the door.
    “You heard me, I said get out. And if you
don’t get out now, I’ll call Sam to throw you out and believe me,
he can throw men who weigh twice as much as you.”
    I’d never seen a man hoist a purse and run to
a door as fast.
    “I guess that’s about it for today, then.
Don’t forget - one o’clock tomorrow for the engagement photos. I’ve
booked you in for a fitting at Mode for Brides on Thursday as well,
so you can make a final decision on the dress,” he called across
his shoulder. “Your options are being flown in. Make sure you take
the rest of the bridal party with you so we can start sourcing
dresses for them, too. I’ll be on hand to organise alterations,
shoes and accessories etc. So you won’t have to worry about
that.”
    Oh joy. I couldn’t wait.
     
     
     
     

Chapter 3
     
    Outside on the terrace, Sam was deep in some
sort of business conversation on the phone. I could hear him
talking about staff training and incentives. For someone I’d
believed had never conducted business before, or even had a proper
job when we met, he’d made quite a smooth transition into ‘boss’
mode. Even though I was ready to wring his neck, the fact that he
was so clever made me feel quite proud.
    Seeing me approach, he waved his hand in the
air and gave his usual cheeky grin. Then he hung up his phone and
put it between his thighs. “How’d the meeting go?”
    I stood over