Breaking All The Rules (Book 1 - Second Chances Series) Read Online Free PDF Page B

the bridal shower, which Renea had already told me she had huge ideas for. I would have loved handing off the shower in its entirety. But I sensed budget was an issue, so rather than dump it all on her, I agreed to be part of the planning. I honestly understood budgetary issues. A wedding in thirty days could be a burden on anyone. It did my heart good to see that my sister had done such a great job holding on to her high school friends, because I hadn’t. I’d been so busy working that I didn’t even really talk to anyone from college forget high school.
    The next stop on our list was the local bakery. It was a delicious little shop owned by Ward Simpson, a member of Reverend Wright’s church and had been in the owner’s family for nearly seventy years. We tasted samples of his lemon, raspberry and coconut cream fillings and settled on a plain white velvet cake with a seedless raspberry filling. I had my own plans for how to decorate it, so that made the short delivery window a non-issue. I told Mr. Simpson Terrance would be popping in later today to select a groom’s cake and I had no idea what he had in mind.
    “Knowing Terrance it won’t be anything too crazy,” Mr. Simpson replied. He handed me the receipt for the cake and a bag that included two complimentary cupcakes for Janette and me. My sister took the bag and started waddling out the door to the car, pleading the need to sit down again.
    “I’ll be back in later to order the bridal shower cake,” I whispered. Mr. Simpson winked like we were keeping a huge secret and I followed Janette to the car.
    I no longer needed my sister, so I dropped her off at work. The tuxedo shop was next on my list. I was meeting with Terrance and his groomsmen. I was pleased to see that the shop had a nice selection of tuxedos that could be ordered quickly. The men had to pay a twenty-dollar rush fee for the short window, but that didn’t seem to be an issue for any of them and if it were, that would be Terrance’s bill. The bell over the door rang and I turned expecting to see Terrance enter, but was surprised that it was Ethan.
    He spotted me right away, removed the mirrored sunglasses he’d been wearing and made a slow, sexy approach. The sexiness wasn’t on purpose. Ethan just had natural swagger.
    “I didn’t know you were in the wedding. Why didn’t you tell me?”
    “Good morning to you too,” he replied.
    I rolled my eyes. “Sorry, is it just morning? I’ve already had a full day. How are you?”
    “I’m great. I had a good nights sleep. Dreamt of you the entire time.”
    The smile I’d had on my face dropped. I could see  the flirting wasn’t going to end with this guy. “So, back to my question, why didn’t you tell me you were in the wedding?”
    “I’m his first cousin,” Ethan said, moving a few tuxedos around on the rack. He removed a really hideous one that looked more like a clown suit, frowned and returned it to the rack. “Why wouldn’t I be in his wedding?”
    Realizing I shouldn’t have been surprised, I shrugged.
    Ethan continued. “Not only am I in the wedding, but I’ve been upgraded. Terrance called me this morning and promoted me up the ranks. You remember Craig Bond, his best friend?”
    I nodded that I did.
    “His unit has new orders. He’s being deployed on Tuesday.”
    I was sorry for Craig for a moment, but then realized if Craig was out… “Does that mean you’re going to be his best man?”
    “Yeah, ironic right? We could barely stand each other growing up.”
    The bell over the shop rang again. Terrance and his friends entered with Uncle Murray on their heels.
    “Childhood rivalries are often put aside for weddings,” I said. “Let’s join them.”
    A devilish look crossed Ethan’s face. “Let’s drop down to the floor, hide between the racks and pretend we’re not here.”
    I leaned into him. “You are really silly.”
    “Ethan. Nec… Deniece,” Terrance corrected himself. “I see you’ve become