Three Weddings and a Dress Read Online Free PDF Page A

cupboard she popped three extra-strength into her mouth and downed them with water. She needed a brain free of jungle drums for the rest of the week. Who knew how hard starting a new life would be?
    “Something wrong? You’re rather quiet.” Her mother barely lifted her eyes from her article.
    What had she expected, motherly concern?
    “No, a headache is all.”
    “Mm… So what are you doing today? Have you called the florist?”
    Talking a deep breath, Cecelia counted to ten. Her mother had a one tracked mind.
    Marry her daughter off to the Evans heir. Then her life’s mission would be complete. The woman could do whatever her heart desired. Cecelia had always known her mother counted the minutes since the day she was born, for this moment.
    Then Sandra Wilson could travel. Ignore her husband and daughter because she’d filled her obligation to the contract.
    Yes, her mother and father had married per contract also. Hadn’t Cecelia heard a gazillion times, as she grew up, about how well their union had worked. Cecelia and Chandler’s would be just as successful.
    Over the years she’d noticed that not once was happiness mentioned.
    An arrangement made in hell was not for her.
    A new resolve entered her. She would take control of her life for the first time in her twenty-nine years.
    It was up to her to find her own contentment.
    “Yes, Mother, I called the florist.” Her first lie was out. Hadn’t they hired the florist because, like everything else, they were the best ? They didn’t need her to call, she had more important things to do. “I’m going to take my coffee on the run this morning, Mother. I don’t want to be late.”
    Without a glance, her mother nodded. “Mm…”
    Nothing had changed.
    Spring had sprung over New York City. The air had freshness to it—if you ignored all the blaring horns and exhaust from the taxis—that matched her mood.
    Even the offices of Wilson and Evans seemed to have a lightened mood. Maybe it was just her. The pressure of her upcoming marriage lifted.
    The thought of adventure had replaced her dread.
    “Any messages?” Cecelia sang her question to the receptionist.
    “Just one, from a Ms. Change.” The girl’s brow wrinkled as if in wonder at the strange name. Maybe it was Cecelia’s singsong voice.
    Cecelia snagged the message out of her fingers with a grin. “Thanks.”
    Her process began. Fanny had the name change assignment. Cecelia had a vague idea of what it involved. Because security at the firm monitored internet activity, she hadn’t dared investigate anything.
    She’d been so vocal in her opposition to her wedding, she wouldn’t put it past her father to also monitor the home network.
    Hence, the reason she had her friends guarding her back. Or as Skye would say, her ass.
    She made it to her office without anyone stopping her, such as her future intended. She planned to avoid him like the plague until the rehearsal dinner. At which time, she’d be celebrating new beginnings.
    Let them all assume she meant to accept her new life as Mrs. Chandler Evans.
    She squashed the guilt that surfaced, if only she could break the band that seemed to tighten whenever she thought of Chandler. He would find someone who loved him. She just needed to remind herself of that whenever the vise threatened and remorse tried to rear its ugly head.
    After taking a deep breath, she settled more comfortably at her desk and deciphered Fanny’s message.
    Holy shit!
    She swiveled her chair to stare at the clock above the window. What was Fanny thinking? Cecelia had ten minutes to get to Java Cup by Rockefeller Center. The firm was at 390 Park Avenue. It was doable. She glanced down at her three-inch heels. Maybe.
    Oh hell, this was part of the adventure.
    She grabbed her purse then bee-lined to the elevator. Please God, let no one stop her.
    “I won’t be available for an hour,” she tossed to the receptionist and slipped inside as the doors slid shut.
    Was foot traffic